Sensationalism in News Media

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary consequence of sensationalism in news media?

Enhanced understanding of complex issues

Improved audience engagement

Distortion of the informative function (correct)

Increased media credibility

According to the Limited Capacity Model of Mediated Message Processing, what is a potential issue caused by sensational features in news?

Increased cognitive load (correct)

Enhanced memory retention

Improved clarity of information

Greater political engagement

What effect can media bias have on political opinions?

Foster more tolerant political views

Encourage lower political engagement (correct)

Enhance public trust in media

Increase interest in political debates

What is one potential consequence of news avoidance?

Distorted worldview Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'burglar alarm news standard' suggest about news reporting?

News should alarm the audience to attract attention Signup and view all the answers

How can sensationalism impact memory according to the content?

It can lead to confusion and reduced recall Signup and view all the answers

What trend does media attention for plane crashes follow compared to the actual occurrence of crashes?

Media attention fluctuates independently of crash occurrences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible outcome of an overestimation of crime frequencies due to sensationalism?

Excessive public fear of victimization Signup and view all the answers

What concept is suggested by the statement 'Media can create their own reality'?

Media manipulates public perception based on selective reporting. Signup and view all the answers

What negative effect can result from the disproportionate attention to negative news?

A spiral of cynicism Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the conclusion regarding the news media and plane crashes?

News media holds responsibility for the public's perception of crashes. Signup and view all the answers

Why do media sources tend to report on negative events such as plane crashes?

Negative events attract larger audiences and viewership. Signup and view all the answers

What does the study imply about a possible 'media blind spot for progression'?

The media focuses predominantly on negative incidents, overlooking positive advancements. Signup and view all the answers

How many plane crashes were analyzed in the media attention study from 1991 to 2015?

9,443 Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of media coverage is emphasized in the conclusion of the study?

Media tends to prioritize reporting exceptions rather than the norm. Signup and view all the answers

What timeframe does the study cover for analyzing media attention regarding plane crashes?

1991-2015 Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates misinformation from disinformation?

Disinformation is false information intended to manipulate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common source of misinformation?

Peer-reviewed academic journals Signup and view all the answers

How does cognitive dissonance relate to misinformation?

It causes discomfort when faced with inconsistent cognitions. Signup and view all the answers

What strategy is NOT suggested for combating misinformation?

Panicking during information consumption Signup and view all the answers

In the context of fake news consumption, what percentage of users were responsible for sharing 80% of fake news according to the 2016 US study?

0.1% Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk of presenting false balanced coverage?

It can lead to increased misinformation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way misinformation can be particularly dangerous?

It can cause more harm than ignorance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason people may evaluate information in a biased manner?

To confirm their existing beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is distortion bias primarily concerned with?

The emphasis on extraordinary and exceptional news events Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of negativity bias in news media?

It leads to an overrepresentation of negative events in coverage. Signup and view all the answers

What drives the bias towards sensationalism in news reporting?

Market competition and advertiser interest Signup and view all the answers

How does media coverage of negative and exceptional events influence public perception?

It can create an informative yet harmful worldview. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'false balance' refer to in news media?

Presenting multiple viewpoints without factual accuracy Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bias occurs during the media selection process?

Coverage bias Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to market-driven journalism in today's media landscape?

Conflicting norms between informing the public and generating advertising revenue Signup and view all the answers

What role does evolutionary theory play in understanding sensationalism in news?

It explains the attraction to deviations and perceived threats. Signup and view all the answers

Which country has the highest percentage of misinformation present in the news diet outside election time?

France Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of biased coverage in the media?

Distorted audience's worldview Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of media content is attributed to misinformation in the UK?

0.1% Signup and view all the answers

How does perceived misinformation affect real news credibility?

It can spillover to credibility rating of real news Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding misinformation in media?

Misinformation is a salient threat in media and public debate Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sensationalism and the Informative Function

News needs to be engaging to be consumed by the audience.

Sensationalism and Memory

Sensationalism can increase memory by grabbing attention.

Negativity Bias

News often focuses on negative events.
This bias can lead to an overestimation of negative occurrences.

Burglar Alarm Standard

J. Zaller's "burglar alarm standard" suggests that news should function as a warning system for important events.
W.L. Bennett questions this standard, arguing that an overreliance on sensationalism can create constant "alarms" that desensitize audiences.

Consequences of Sensationalism

Sensationalism can detract from the informative function of news:
- News articles prioritize attention-grabbing over information.
- Audiences may struggle with recall due to cognitive overload from sensational elements.
- Important details can be overshadowed.

Consequences of Media Bias

Negative consequences of bias include:
- Less tolerant political opinions.
- Decreased political engagement.
- A spiral of cynicism.
- News avoidance.
- Distorted worldviews.

Plane Crash Study

A study analyzed media coverage of plane crashes from 1991 to 2015.
The study found that media attention to plane crashes far exceeded the actual occurrence of these events.
This suggests that media can create a distorted view of reality, focusing on exceptions rather than trends.

Conclusion: Media & Reality

The media can create its own reality that is not aligned with real-world data.
News often focuses on exceptions and negative events.
Media may overlook positive progress.
This doesn't mean we should blame the news media entirely.
There are different types of news, and not all news is sensational.

Demand-Side Considerations

News biases can be partially attributed to audience demand.

Misinformation and Fake News

The distinction between biased news and fake news can be subtle.
Sensationalism and misinformation can be used to generate revenue.

Misinformation

Misinformation: False information not intended to cause harm.
Disinformation: False information intended to manipulate or cause damage.
Malinformation: Information with a basis in truth, but exaggerated or presented in a way that misleads.
Identifying misinformation can be challenging.

Consequences of Misinformation

Misinformation can mislead people.
It can be worse than ignorance because it is harder to correct.

Examples of Misinformation

Pizzagate conspiracy theory.
Capitol Hill riots misinformation.
COVID-19 conspiracy theories.

Sources of Misinformation

Fiction.
Rumors and urban myths.
Low-quality online and offline information.
Falsely balanced coverage.
Corporate-vested interests.

Countering Misinformation

It's difficult to counter misinformation due to:
- False memories.
- Retrieval failures.
- Reactance (opposition to persuasion).
- Pre-existing attitudes and beliefs.
- Backfire effect (misinformation reinforcing existing beliefs).

Misinformation and Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the feeling of discomfort from holding inconsistent thoughts or beliefs.
It's most powerful when self-image is threatened.
Individuals can reduce dissonance by:
- Changing based on dissonant cognition.
- Justifying current views by changing the dissonant cognition.
- Justifying current views by adding new cognitions.

Misinformation and Pre-Existing Attitudes

Individuals tend to evaluate information in a biased manner to maintain consistency with their beliefs.
Information aligning with pre-existing beliefs is seen as more credible.

Fighting Misinformation

Several strategies can be used to combat misinformation:
- Fact-checking.
- Tagging/flagging.
- Inoculation strategies.
- News media literacy training.
- Regulation.

Retracting Misinformation

Effectively retracting misinformation requires:
- Explicit warnings beforehand.
- Repetition of the correction.
- Providing alternative explanations.

Misinformation in People's News Diet

Studies suggest that misinformation comprises a significant portion of news consumption, particularly among "superconsumers" and "supersharers."

Conclusion: Media Bias & Misinformation

Media bias and misinformation contribute to a distorted worldview.
It's important to be critical consumers of news and to be aware of the potential for bias and misinformation.

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Description

Explore the impact of sensationalism on news consumption and memory. This quiz delves into how negative bias shapes our perception of events and the implications of J. Zaller's burglar alarm standard on media engagement. Test your understanding of these critical concepts in journalism.