Why Do the Media Focus So Much of Their Coverage

question 42

Essay

Why do the media focus so much of their coverage on stories that include conflict and controversy? Drawing on what you know about the types of stories the media report (for example, horse race stories and attack journalism), discuss the affect this has on the relationship between news coverage, the public's response, and government policy.

---

Definitions:

Unstable Oxygen Molecules

Highly reactive atoms or groups of atoms, also known as free radicals, which can cause damage to cells through oxidation.

Social Learning Theory

A theory that suggests individuals learn behaviors, attitudes, and emotions through observing and imitating others, as well as through direct experience and reinforcement.

Gender Development

The process by which individuals become aware of their gender and acquire the norms, roles, and behaviors considered appropriate for their gender in a given culture or society.

Prenatal Development

The sequence of maturation and evolution inside the uterus from the moment of conception until delivery.