Sample MLA Communication Impact Of Sensationalism

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The Impact of Sensationalism

News consumers and critics have instigated criticism against the news media for the

tendency to run sensational content. The concept of sensationalism is not new but remains a

controversial one because of the views held about it. It is common for news media to

sensationalize stories from time to time according to their preference but its impact remains

disputable (Bucy 250). Sensationalism refers to the biases applied by editors to draw attention to

something else other than what they are talking about. In this paper, I will explore the effects of

sensationalism and the way media framing is used to develop them. I will examine both sides of

the debate to ascertain the proven impacts of sensationalism.

Media framing is a technique used by the media to present an issue and it plays a pivotal

role in sensationalizing a specific aspect. Entman defines media framing as the tendency of the

media to choose some perceived reality aspects and make them outstanding in a way that

enhances the definition of a specific problem (52). An example that gives a clear picture is when

there is an outbreak of the flu. Children stop attending school, and people stop going to crowded

places such as markets. When someone comes in contact with a person sneezing or even if they

sneeze, they rush to the hospital. This could occur even in instances when it is just a case of

allergy or irritation. The media presents such an issue in a terrifying manner which creates a

picture in the viewers or readers’ minds that is way different from the reality (McCombs 550).

The media has a responsibility to pass information to the viewers and readers in an

accurate and ethical way. However, they exaggerate the issue so much it starts to cause panic. In

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other words, the media sensationalizes the issue to communicate a certain message.

Consequently, moral panic sets in because of the media framing of the issue. Such impacts bring

out the negative side of the media since they do not frame the issues in an objective and accurate

way. McCombs argues that the media plays an important role in agenda setting. By setting

agenda, it drives the conversations in the society to follow a certain model or narrative

(McCombs 552). McCombs and Shaw further provide insight that in selecting and showing

news, broadcasters and editors play a critical role in shaping reality. The audience learns about

the particular issues and the significance to the society (Scheufele 300). However, when the

media sensationalizes issues, it occasionally engages in subjectivity rather than objectivity. This

may lead to a certain perception in the society about a particular issue.

The effects of sensationalism include exposure to the dark side of media, unwanted panic

and snatched interest from journalism to the extent that people prefer switching off their TVs

(Davey par.1). Sensationalism could also lead to inability to distinguish between accurate or

inaccurate news (Carroll & Maxwell McCombs 40), and diversion of attention from the main

plight with the aim of making money. The press is supposed to bring out issues concerning what

affects viewers and readers every day such as wars and its effects and devastations. They are

supposed to help people understand what goes on around them. Fung and Scheufele argue that

the media is supposed to expose the evils in the society such as corruption and not run after the

number of viewers they attract and the profits that come with such high ratings (135). However,

sensationalism impedes them from examining issues in an objective, truthful and accurate way.

Sensationalism brings out the negative side of the media. It manipulates, misleads and

falsifies information despite knowing the facts about the stories being reported. First-hand

newspapers have facts that have not been researched or proven. Some of them sensationalize it to

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make even little issues appear more serious than they appear. Davey provides insight that such

schemes have a negative psychological impact on the audience as it influences their thinking (1).

It is an atrocious act for the media to sensationalize an issue as a way of reaping more money. In

addition, it abuses their position that should prioritize on providing people with facts. It is

difficult to be impartial on all issues, but the media should verify the facts and ascertain whether

they are true before airing or publishing them. It is immoral for the media to skew facts as a way

for selling papers. Such behaviors only serve to increase the level of mistrust in the entire media

fraternity when people find such aspects to be untrue (Bucy 252). Media personalities who write

this way rarely think about the consequences that these stories pose on people who consume the

content. Moreover, sensationalism distorts facts and makes people to focus on the non-essentials.

Carroll and Maxwell argue that distortion of facts can impede people from distinguishing

between accurate and inaccurate news. When people are unable to distinguish facts, they have

divided attention. The main societal plights may, therefore, not be addressed while the media

makes money.

Sensationalism also leads to moral panic among consumers of the content. Currently, as

soon as someone turns the television on, there are numerous shocking scandals that entail youth

gangs and assaults. Consistent and repeated headlines lead to the development of certain

stereotypes that may influence the way people think about things or people. For example, the

9/11 led to the media amplification of the issue of Islam religion as supporters of terrorism. The

perception among many Americans and around the globe was that Muslims are terrorists (Powell

100). This perception has been perpetuated today as Muslims are mistreated and profiled because

of the 9/11 attack. The media fails to provide substantial evidence that would suggest that

Muslims have traits or systems that make them instigate such attacks. The moral panic that was

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set by media amplification of the issue continues today whenever attacks happen. Arguably, such

reporting could be deemed as irresponsible and inaccurate. It is only intended to achieve certain

objectives that only the media knows best. In addition, it contradicts McComb’s view that the

media plays an important role of agenda setting or framing, but it has to play this role in an

ethical way. In other words, the media sensationalizes crime as a way of creating moral panic

and controlling the behavior of the public.

Sensationalism further leads to the development of certain stereotypes. Scheufele argues

that sensationalism is an exaggeration of news and has a tendency of inculcating certain views

about an event or group (30). The media could capture a real account of events, but it often

misses the point. Repeated exaggeration of an event can result in certain stereotypes about

specific incidents. Such stereotypes influence the way people think about specific incidents. For

instance, an impression has been created by the US media that a large group of youth around

street corners can rob someone (Powell 102). As a result, when one encounters such a group,

they become afraid and move away from them. In the news media, it is common to see large

gangs creating violence. However, it is not fair to believe that all teenage groups have a motive

of robbing people (Vettehen et al 323). It is unfair since it results to concerns that the society is

declining and creates permanent panic which influences the public to think that the society lacks

the past values. The society cannot progress if it continues allowing the press to elicit such moral

panics.

The media plays a pivotal and indispensable role in informing the public about various

events and situations. Sensationalism is one of the techniques it uses to capture attention of the

public about current events that need to be addressed. It could be a beneficial technique when

used positively but the media has not used it in the best interest of the public. Sensationalism

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leads to the development of moral panic, stereotypes, distortion of facts, and brings out the

negative side of the media. The core objective of the media as a business is to make profits but it

should not do so at the expense of the public. It is because of the role it plays in developing a

society. There is need for the media to tone down on the aspect of sensationalism and be guided

by the concepts of fairness, openness and accuracy. The ultimate objective should be to lead to a

better society rather than influence people to think that the society has deteriorated beyond repair

yet such perceptions lack evidence,

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Works Cited

Bucy, Erik P. "Media credibility reconsidered: Synergy effects between on-air and online news."

Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 80.2 (2003): 247-264.

Carroll, Craig E., and Maxwell McCombs. "Agenda-setting effects of business news on the

public's images and opinions about major corporations." Corporate reputation review 6.1

(2003): 36-46.

Davey, Graham. “The Psychological Effects of TV News.” Psychology Today, 19 Jun. 2012,

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-we-worry/201206/the-psychological-

effects-tv-news. Accessed 12 October 2017.

Entman, Robert.”Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm.” Journal of

Communication, vol. 43, no. 4, 1993, pp. 51-58.

Fung, Timothy KF, and Dietram A. Scheufele. "Social Norms, Spirals of Silence and Framing

Theory." New Perspectives on Communication and Public Opinion 11 (2014): 131-144.

McCombs, Maxwell. "A look at agenda-setting: Past, present and future." Journalism studies

6.4 (2005): 543-557.

Powell, Kimberly A. "Framing Islam: An analysis of US media coverage of terrorism since

9/11." Communication Studies 62.1 (2011): 90-112.

Scheufele, Dietram A. "Agenda-setting, priming, and framing revisited: Another look at

cognitive effects of political communication." Mass Communication & Society 3.2-3

(2000): 297-316.

Vettehen, Paul Hendriks, Koos Nuijten, and Allerd Peeters. "Explaining effects of sensationalism

on liking of television news stories: The role of emotional arousal." Communication

Research 35.3 (2008): 319-338.

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