Violence And Tragedy : Staples Of Journalism

Media coverage of news events can be disseminated to the general public in any number of different ways and media biases often “reflects certain organizational and/or professional preferences or values” (Bennett 2011, 173). In fact, Lundman (2003) points out “that journalists assess the newsworthiness of homicides occurrences using the relative frequency of particular types of murders and how well specific murder occurrences mesh with stereotypical race and gender typifications (357).” In addition, Johnson (2012) felt that the real job of media was to “create a message that…grabs public attention (62).” In other words, can the media grab the public’s attention and hold it?

In journalism, an ethical dilemma is a complex issue or situation that often involves an emotional and psychological conflict between moral obligations and duties, in which to obey one would transgress the other. Within the media there are many stories that can be deemed an ethical dilemma; some more so than others. One of the most recent and prominent ethical dilemmas was the worldwide coverage surrounding the shooting of two American WBDJ journalists, Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Despite the fact that the shooter filmed the ordeal clearly showing the two slain journalists being shot, news outlets had picked it up and ran with the story, which ultimately went viral in minutes. This essay will analyse and thoroughly examine the reporting

In 2000, Pulitzer-winning journalist Richard Rhodes published an article titled “The Media Violence Myth,” through the “American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression,” a liberal establishment dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment right to free speech. Despite coming from a background plagued with violence and abuse, Rhodes has studied nuclear history and weapons use for over 20 years and has developed a unique opinion about the media’s effect on public violence. In “The Media Violence Myth,” Rhodes aims to convince his readers that the media does not contribute to violence through its portrayal. He attempts this in discrediting his key opponent, Dave Grossman, through ad hominem, red herrings, and violent diction. These

Quinn expresses a fundamental concern with the validity and objectivity of journalism with the coming of the digital age, and the increasing role that digital/information technology plays in media that reports or represents reality. Quinn begins his 2004 paper with the mention of the transition of non-digital/traditional photography into mainly digital photography with respect to journalism. More than just the changing of the photographic platform and format, Quinn notes the role that computer software that specializes in photographic manipulation in journalism. Early on, he contends, "Technical advancement has helped photojournalism be more effective in may ways, but has also created ethical challenges in making deception expeditious and less transparent." (Quinn, 2004, 1) The article explores this ethical quandary. Digital technology, photographic software, and digital manipulation are tightly integrated into modern photojournalism, among many other industries and fields. Quinn challenges readers to consider and explore the ethics of photographic manipulation and the implications upon perception. He presents the digital manipulation as having a positive and use; furthermore, that at this point in history and in the profession of photojournalism, it is unavoidable. Quinn clearly additionally presents the issue as loaded with negative ethical implications and

Almost everyday you hear there is a mass shooting or gun violence portrayed in the media. The weapons used in these kind of shootings are often semi-automatic forearms capable of putting down several rounds per minute effectively and quickly killing mass amount of people in a very short time. Yet, the gun supporters believe the ownership of guns if a God given right guaranteed by our country's constitution. But, they forget what kind of destruction it can bring to the mass and the society.

Gerard Jones is quite a fan of The Hulk and Tarzan comic books. In his essay “Violent Media is Good for Kids” Jones argues that the violence in those and other comics teach valuable lessons that will help children understand difficult emotions. Jones states that in “try (ing) to protect our children from their own feelings and fantasies, we shelter them not against violence but against power and selfhood.” Throughout the essay Jones relies on personal anecdotes that reveal his opinions about violence in comics and other media instead of citing formal research. Jones’ personal experience is that violent media is not generally harmful, and fills an important place in childhood imagination and play.

Newton D. Violence And The Media: A Reference Handbook [e-book]. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO;

Archer, Dale. “Violence, The Media and Your Brain.” 02 September 2013. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201309/violence-the-media-and-your-brain. Accessed 1 March 2017.

The National Press Photographer Association (2012) emphasizes on the need of serious and committed photojournalism that adheres to a code of ethics. They ask for accuracy, unbiased representations of events and subjects, respect, dignity and compassion for the subjects photographed as well as integrity of content and

The media uses violence as a ploy to gain controversial interest from society. (This creates both content and viewers.) Further, throughout Blyth’s article, she stated that “The media, after all, pays the most attention to those substances, issues and situations that most frighten their readers and viewers. Thus, almost every day, we read and see and hear about a new purported threat to our health and safety” (Blyth, 157). Blyth emphasized this importance greatly in her article, as it expresses many viewer’s opinions about what is being displayed on the media. In addition, this allows the

In 1884, a man by the name of Paul Nipkow invented a device called the scanning disk. Little did Nipkow know that years later his invention would be transformed into one of the most popular pastimes in America today ("Inventors"). Philo T. Farnsworth was the true inventor of television in 1927. He had no idea that thirty-five years later his inventions would not only be in ninety percent of Americans homes, but also strongly effect everyone that watched it. "Following the introduction of television into the United States, the annual homicide rate increased by ninety-three percent"(Journal of the American Medical Association). With the invention of television came the job of broadcasting shows on to the television. Broadcasters soon

In today’s society people receive information about local and global events through their news provider of choice. Whether they use a television, a laptop, or their phones; pretty much everyone is constantly being updated on the latest news. Unfortunately, many of the things we see and hear on the news involves violent content. We live in a violent world and it is inevitable that the news will contain death, murder, terrorist attack, or any other kind of violent act. Since this is easy to obtain mainstream media, people consume a lot of this information daily basis. Therefore, it’s no wonder why many researchers have decided to study the effects of violent media in the news has on the public as a whole.

In 2000, Pulitzer-winning journalist Richard Rhodes published an article titled “The Media Violence Myth,” through the “American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression,” a liberal establishment dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment right to free speech. Despite coming from a background plagued with violence and abuse, Rhodes has studied nuclear history and weapons use for over 20 years and has developed a unique opinion about the media’s effect on public violence. In “The Media Violence Myth,” Rhodes aims to convince his readers that the media does not contribute to violence through its portrayal. He attempts this in discrediting his key opponent, Dave Grossman, through ad hominem, red herrings, and violent diction. These strategies are likely effective for his left-leaning, first amendment-protecting primary audience, which would get caught up in the emotion of the arguments. However, for the more skeptical, moderate audience, these rhetorical devices are likely inefficient.

In today’s world, there is an endless amount of information available to people everywhere around the globe. Mass media is definitely shaping our world, whether it is in a positive way or a negative way. Television and the radio waves provide us with hours of entertainment. The emergence of the Internet allows us to access thousands of pages of information within the reach our very own fingertips. But with the convenience of all this information comes along a certain level of responsibility. As a society, we Americans must decide what is appropriate information and entertainment for the masses to access and enjoy. But does today’s society give too much leeway in what it thinks as “appropriate?” Does increased

Many people think that violence in media is entirely based on real life. They proclaim that since we live in the real world, the media cannot possibly be more violent than what we already know. Actually, it is impossible for people to know all horrific events that have taken place. Also, some would say that it is up to the individual to decide what to be exposed to.8 That is not true, since you are exposed to cruel media whether you know it or not. Even on the news, “Crimes such as murders, robberies, and abuse are shown as deviant behavior” rather than actual violence.