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Media Sensationalism
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| SpartanJaz |
Posted on 02/13/2014 18:51:38
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Junior Member
Posts: 34
Joined: 13.08.12
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Media sensationalism has been a major concern ever since the first nosy quill-wielding monks first began collecting news and presenting it to the public. Media sensationalism is the presenting of news stories in a manner which is designed primarily to provoke public interest.
However, this can lead to accuracy being a non-priority. This has thus led to various issues being misrepresented. This has several pros(e.g. news is more exciting) and several problems(e.g. people are misinformed).
Please note that media sensationalism does not necessarily mean misrepresentation, but it can. Sensationalism can actually have several advantages, the most obvious being that news is far more interesting. The issues are not part of the definition, but they are meant to be discussed in this debate.
So...
Get debating!
Edited by SpartanJaz on 02/13/2014 18:52:18 |
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| The Hat of Love |
Posted on 02/13/2014 19:35:17
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ShawnPeezy
Posts: 9035
Joined: 31.07.11
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News sensationalisation is a problem. Like really. Because tabloids will do just about anything to sell; news or not, they tend to print biased articles to persuade people of a certain viewpoint. This is definitely a problem in the UK where we have this thing called 'The Daily Mail' which is actually the worst thing ever, disguised as a newspaper.
If you'll allow me to rant a little, the Daily Mail doesn't just like printing the normal sensationalised news, it prints downright lies, twisted figures, and does it in a way that turns its readers against certain groups of people. Many people in Britain will tell you that there is both an immigration problem and a welfare problem here. Both of these things are lies but tabloids have decided that those two things are their targets so 'bloody immigrants' and 'lazy benefit scroungers' are now the two biggest problems ever facing our proud country and innocent people are now hated because of it.
That's just an example; because tabloids have such a large readership base and have such a large influence over those people they can make them believe pretty much whateve rthey want them to believe. It's definitely not an exaggeration that media support can, for example, win general elections. And not just by supporting the candidate that the newspaper does like, of course, but by attacking the opposing leader, again whether by lies or truth or simple negative portrayal - because in the media you can take any viewpoint you want and make it into a story just by stating that viewpoint. And if you use complete lies to achieve your goal that doesn't matter because you can apologise and pay damages but the damage has been done and your story has affected people's views - exactly how you wanted them to.
Medis sensationalisation is one thing; sensationalisation with the intent to spread hate and throw out morality? That's a whole bigger problem.
my signature broke, here is a fox snek:
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| ninja |
Posted on 02/13/2014 20:44:25
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Super Admin
Posts: 4174
Joined: 15.11.10
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We had a debate on this topic at the Cambridge Union Society - the motion was 'This House Believes That Tabloid Journalism Is Toxic'.
One of the points that the opposition raised was that by presenting news is this easily digestible and simplified manner, current affairs become more widely accessible to the general population (including, if you'll excuse the political-incorrectness, the 'less-educated' members of society who probably wouldn't purchase broadsheets). On the whole, it's probably good to have a well-informed society, in which the public is politically engaged. However, in my opinion, such journalism does not achieve this goal.
Tabloid papers, such as the Daily Mail in the UK, which publish sensationalised stories, only serve to increase prejudice amongst its readers and fire up hatred inside them. Why so? Because they regurgitate the readers' own beliefs straight back at them, often embellishing them with lies. News devoid of facts and balanced opinions does nothing but erect social barriers which could be broken down by encouraging a well-informed public through balanced and factual media.
Media sensationalism is an unnecessary evil. We should oppose it and help to build a society based on mutual understanding and acceptance.
My brain is open.
- Paul Erdős |
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| Vulture |
Posted on 02/13/2014 22:42:16
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Newbie
Posts: 0
Joined: 25.08.12
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I wish Phoenix Wright was real, so he can serve true JUSTICE! 
 Proud to be in the Jajaja group! |
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| Hotpot |
Posted on 02/14/2014 13:46:13
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Senior Member
Posts: 397
Joined: 25.05.11
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The crux of the problem is what drives the modern media. They are more incentivized by higher ratings, sensationalism, and the speed of catching the next big news flash at the expense of fact-speaking and impartiality, once critical hallmarks of proper journalism. Just go to CNN now and look at how they title their news stories and write their articles.
Which one are you? |
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| Hotpot |
Posted on 02/14/2014 13:50:53
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Senior Member
Posts: 397
Joined: 25.05.11
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It's too bad that people either are uninformed or apathetic that the media is able to continue to get away with this.
Which one are you? |
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| Target |
Posted on 02/14/2014 13:52:20
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Numpty
Posts: 1425
Joined: 19.07.12
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It doesn't help that the there's sensationalism for all the trivial stuff over entertainment hollywood? "OMG JUSTIN BEIBER GOT ARRESTED AGAIN! KIM KARDASHIAN!"
Real news I'm no expert so dunno...
Lasso Lassie's Legendary Legless Lego-Legolas!
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