Many people believe that news coverage should be accurate, unbiased and up to date. They also often say that they prefer to hear about topics that are personally relevant or important to them. However, these beliefs can conflict with what people actually read and watch.
Some research shows that people’s mental health is impacted by their exposure to the news. For example, a study by Washington University found that Black Americans experience worse mental health days during weeks when two or more incidents of anti-Black violence occur. Other studies have shown that women’s mental health is impacted by reports of sexual harassment or assault.
News coverage is also influenced by the interests of politicians and other powerful figures. For example, Presidents Nixon and Johnson regularly tangled with the press while Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich claims that the media wants to destroy the Republican “revolution.” These feuds reinforce a common belief that the media is biased against Republicans.
Although news organizations strive to report all of the facts, they do not always succeed. If a topic has great public appeal, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, it will likely receive extensive national and international coverage. But other stories, such as presidential campaigns or skirmishes between North and South Korea, may get less attention. In such cases, the media’s focus is determined by a variety of factors, including violence and scandal, locality and familiarity, and timeliness. As a result, the lines between news and entertainment have become increasingly blurred.
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