News editor decide what to to broadcast on television and what to print in newspaper. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we bacame used to bad news? Would it be better if more good news was reported?
News
editors play a critical role in determining the content broadcasted on television and printed in newspapers. Their decisions are influenced by factors such
as popularity, profit, and societal expectations. Understanding these influences helps explain why bad news
often dominates media and whether a shift towards reporting more good news
would benefit society
.
Firstly
, popularity significantly affects editorial choices. News
that captures public interest is more likely to be featured. Stories
involving conflict, scandal, or tragedy attract more attention than positive news
due to
the human tendency to prioritize novel and dramatic information. For instance
, political scandals or natural disasters receive extensive coverage because they generate higher viewer engagement, helping news
outlets maintain high ratings and readership levels.
Secondly
, profit plays a crucial role. News
organizations rely on advertising revenue, which is tied to viewership and readership numbers. Advertisers prefer placing ads in media that attract large audiences. Consequently
, news
editors prioritize stories
likely to draw substantial attention, often leading to a prevalence of bad news
. For example
, continuous coverage of a terrorist attack can significantly boost viewership and, by extension, advertising revenue.
Over time, society
becomes accustomed to the constant stream of bad news
, leading to desensitization and a skewed perception of reality where negative events seem more common than they are. A Harvard University study found that bad news
outnumbers good news
by a ratio of 20 to 1 in media content, reinforcing this
negative bias. This
exposure to bad news
can increase anxiety, fear, and pessimism among the public.
Reporting more good news
could have positive effects. Positive news
stories
can inspire and uplift audiences, promoting well-being and balance. For instance
, stories
about community heroes, scientific breakthroughs, or acts of kindness provide a counterbalance to overwhelming negativity. This
shift could foster a more balanced perspective, helping individuals feel more optimistic and motivated.
In conclusion, news
editors' decisions are influenced by popularity and profit, leading to a dominance of bad news
. This
trend conditions society
to expect and accept negative news
, often affecting mental well-being. Increasing the reporting of good news
could provide significant psychological benefits, fostering a more balanced and positive outlook on life, and contributing to a healthier, more optimistic society
.Submitted by Nastaran_zandy on
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coherence cohesion
Ensure that you maintain a strong connection between your main points and supporting details throughout the essay. Occasionally, some parts of the essay slightly drift from the core argument.
task achievement
Expand on your ideas a bit more to ensure they are fully developed. While the essay is generally clear, more detailed exploration of certain points would be beneficial.
coherence cohesion
The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction and conclusion that effectively summarize the main points discussed.
task achievement
The examples provided, such as the influence of political scandals and natural disasters on media coverage, were relevant and supported the argument well.
task achievement
The essay addresses the prompt comprehensively, discussing both the factors that influence news editors’ decisions and the potential benefits of reporting more good news.
Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
Examples make your writing easier to understand by illustrating points more effectively.
Examples, if used properly, not only help you get higher marks for ‘Task Response’ but also for ‘Coherence’.
When giving examples it is best to put them after your main idea or topic sentence. They can be used in the middle of supporting sentences or they can be used to start a new sentence. There is no rule for where exactly to give examples in essays, logically they would come after your main idea/topic sentence or just after a supporting sentence.
Linking words for giving examples:
- for example
- for instance
- to illustrate this
- to give a clear example
- such as
- namely
- to illustrate
- take, for example