Questions and Answers
What is bias in the context of mass media?
A tendency for media workers' personal beliefs and views on an issue to interfere with balanced and impartial coverage.
What is media coverage?
Attention from mass outlets, such as newspapers and television, that can bring claims to the attention of a wide audience.
What are primary claims?
Claims making that precedes media involvement, normally presented by experts or activists.
What are secondary claims?
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Why is it important to present claims in novel ways?
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What is the carrying capacity of an arena?
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What is news work?
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What are sophisticated claimsmakers known for?
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Which are the three largest cities for news?
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What are landmark narratives?
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What are packages in the context of media narratives?
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What are condensing symbols?
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What is popular culture?
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What is sociological imagination?
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What is a risk society?
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What is a newshole?
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What constraints do media workers face?
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What is audience segmentation?
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What are beats in news work?
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Study Notes
Media Bias
- Analysis of mass media often highlights the issue of bias, defined as the interference of personal beliefs in news coverage.
- Conservatives argue that media presents a liberal viewpoint, while liberals counter with claims of a conservative bias.
Media Coverage
- Mass media outlets, like newspapers and television, help amplify social issue claims to larger audiences.
- Various formats including TV shows, movies, and novels influence the representation of social problems.
Claims in Social Process
- The social problems process begins with claims-making, primarily by activists or experts.
- Primary claims attract media attention, extending their reach beyond initial claim-makers.
Primary and Secondary Claims
- Primary claims are foundational and detailed, typically crafted by insiders seeking media coverage.
- Secondary claims involve the media's abbreviated and dramatized transformation of primary claims.
Presentation of Claims
- Novel representation is essential for media interest.
- Claims should be creatively structured to engage audiences and fit media formats.
Arenas and Carrying Capacity
- Various public venues serve as arenas for presenting social problem claims.
- Carrying capacity refers to the limitations in how much content can be included in media outlets, like newspapers and talk shows.
News Work Dynamics
- News workers play a crucial role in determining which stories are highlighted and how they are presented.
- Sophisticated claimsmakers adapt their strategies to align with media interests, creating newsworthy events.
Major News Cities
- The largest cities that influence news coverage are New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.
Narratives and Packages
- Landmark narratives represent dominant stories that shape public understanding of social issues.
- Packages bundle together particular troubling conditions and offer defined causes and solutions.
Symbols in Media
- Condensing symbols function as shorthand elements that represent broader concepts or narratives.
- Popular culture serves as a platform through which social problems are represented and discussed.
Sociological Perspectives
- The sociological imagination allows for the interpretation of personal troubles as broader public issues.
- In risk society, social problems are often framed in terms of potential risks faced by individuals and groups.
Limitations of Media and Audience
- News holes restrict the space available for news coverage, leading to economic constraints on journalism.
- Audience segmentation tailors media content to specific demographic groups, maximizing viewer engagement.
Constraints on News Work
- News production is subject to budget limitations and cultural expectations, shaping the coverage landscape.
- Bias in reporting can reflect the underlying political ideologies of news workers, affecting story selection and portrayal.
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Description
This set of flashcards covers key concepts from Chapter 5 of Joel Best's work, focusing on the role of bias and media coverage in social processes. Ideal for students looking to reinforce their understanding of media analysis and perspectives. Test your knowledge and deepen your insights into media influences.
