The media is no longer about just being updated on the state of the world, it is a business, and nothing sells better then fear. Fear-based news prey on the anxieties of self-safety that activates the fear response also leading the increased probability of depression relapse. However, with increased capitalism in the news industry the stories need to be bold and controversial to draw in the general public. As i said before controversy not matter the topic creates fear.
This type of programming follows the hierarchy of 'if it bleeds, it leads'. Using dramatic anecdotes instead of empirical evidence and fabricating trends of isolated events the media replaces and optimistic view with a fatalistic way of thinking. Everything is carefully crafted to be a fearful as possible.
Have you discovered any specific groups or methods that the public uses to undermine the fear that the media spreads?
ReplyDeleteThey use a manipulation of grammar in both the titles of stories and the actual reporting itself to create a more ominous aura. Along with just-add-water reporting when they fear based topics that are pre-scripted and already have outlined POV's. The most important of these fear mongering in the news is to never go beyond the surface of the story where facts could muddy the fear.
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