Crime and Television News

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that sensationalism often replaces real news within the American media; thus, if a story, on the surface, seems banal and uneventful, the story will often be "tweaked" in such a manner as to provide viewers with a more dynamic and exaggerated sense of dramatics. The author points out that the proliferation of news bias often distorts consumer's views of what is actually occurring in the world because major world events typically are blown out of proportion in an effort to entertain and captivate viewers. The paper relates that, rather than focus on bland subject material, news reporters more often highlight news stories that entail criminal activity, death, and violence; this type of subject matter is much more dynamic and often causes viewers to tune in and stay actively involved in news broadcasts.

From the Paper:

"Glassner also points out that Americans view television as reality, which is a crime in and of itself. People don't necessarily "reap an impression from television but rather take what is presented on TV as reality". Glassner also argues that media moguls won't cover legitimate news issues such as the prevalence of uninsured Americans, because broadcast agents claim their would be no public interest in such matters. Rather, media agents create interest around such topics as violence and raw passion."

More papers on Crime and Television News:

• Research Proposal # 109508 : "The Effect of Media on Crime"
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• Essay # 64793 : "Media Stereotype of Black Americans"

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