Sensationalism in the Media

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The truth is, we all fall prey to sensationalism. Sensationalism is a type of editorial bias. We see sensationalism in the media everywhere from pop up ads online to titles of articles in the newspapers. Journalists use sensationalism to draw readers in, hook them onto the piece of writing, excite the reader and make them want to read more. It’s a tool for journalists to draw the attention of the reader and make it seem memorable. This can lead to a dangerous amount of misinformation. For example, winter 2014-15 my parents decided that we would take a trip to Paris and Morocco. Are you impressed about the exotic locale? Don’t be. Morocco is in Northern Africa. This was during the peak of the Ebola scare. All we heard on the Detroit local news was about how Northern Africa was under an Ebola epidemic.Why are we throwing ourselves into the waiting arms of death? Do my parents not love me? These were a few of the questions running through my head at the time. Fast forward a few months and where did Ebola go? Did we find a cure? No. Does it still exist? Yes. And it’s a serious disease but they ran out of sensationalist headlines and people got bored and the media moved on to the next hot topic.So today, first let’s discuss sensationalism through the ages, then I’ll talk about the bias and dangers inherent in sensationalism, and finally let’s talk about what steps you, as an educated person, should take to minimize its effects.

Sensationalism is unavoidable in the news-because we humans are wired, probably for reasons related to natural selection, to be alert to sensations, particularly those involving sex and violence. And it isn’t something something new that came along with the arrival of television and the internet. Centuries ago, there are stories of the time of Rome, and how news of juicy gossip among the Gladiators seemed to travel faster than news of victories and defeats. In the 19th century, there were circulation wars between media titans of their day, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst-each trying to come up with the most scintillating headlines, selling more newspapers. In 1941, Frank Luther Mott,pulitzer prize winning American historian and journalist, listed the five main features of sensationalism. First:scare headlines mostly on minor junk food news, second:lavish use of photos and drawings, third:fake interviews, misleading headlines, pseudo-science, featuring paid-for-media “experts”, fourth:full color sunday supplements, and fifth:sympathizing with the underdog against the system. so what used to happen before in print can now be seen today 24/7 via our computers and televisions. And just like technology, the sensationalism in news reporting is evolving. To a dangerous degree. But the goal driving sensationalism in the media remains the same. Money (gesture). Sell more newspapers and magazines, more clicks on your articles, more power, more advertising money.

Although I’ve been talking lightly about sensationalism, it does have serious consequences. Sensationalism is the bias which sees important stories ignored and flashy non-stories monopolize people’s attention. We can’t talk about sensationalism without mentioning the presidential campaign currently in progress. There is no greater and more pertinent example of the dangers of sensationalism than the mockery being witnessed on televisions across the world right now. And I have to mention the most obvious culprit when talking about sensationalism in politics--republican front runner, Donald Trump. He has made an art of the sensationalist sell, he knows how to get supporters cheering and his critics foaming at the mouth. He has become infamous for his outlandish policy claims, such as his desire to build a wall between the US and Mexico that will be paid for by Mexico. It's ridiculous but let's just think about this statement. To his supporters, this sounds amazing, as many seem to see immigration as the root cause to many problems in America. He could say “I will be strict on immigration” but saying “Mexico is sending people with lots of problems. they are bringing drugs. they are bringing crime. They are rapists” makes headline news. The claim is so ridiculous and offensive, critics are eager to pick him apart but doing this adds to his sensationalism--it’s his bait. American political discourse has regressed significantly over time, speeches getting simpler, slogans getting punchier and complex issues- which require time and delicacy to discuss--getting boiled down to quick sensationalist soundbites. Political author, John Daly, says that some people argue that sensational stories are like “the junk food of our news diet, the ice cream sundae that you eagerly gobble up. You know it’s bad for you but it’s delicious. And you can always have a salad tomorrow.” The thing is, (pause) society can navigate virtually unscathed through stories of missing airplanes and superhuman strength. But an enormous disservice is done when we receive dishonest reporting on the things that affect our way of living. Without honest reporting on topics like the state of the economy, healthcare laws, education, and what our elected leaders are up to, we find ourselves making very poor decisions. And when we make poor decisions on things so extremely important, it affects not only us, but the lives of future generations.

Although sensationalist articles catch your eye, the main culprit is that very few educated decisions come from it and the public base their belief on one media outlet. The fine line between information and sensationalist gossip is often crossed. Gun control is a very emotionally charged topic and people have very strong opinions on either side. The media relies on people’s emotions by using sensationalist headlines to sway society either way. Headline stories detailing self defense or how a poor old widow who survived a home invasion only because she still had her husband’s rifle or devastating stories about gun violence in schools and on the playground play with the public’s emotions. They also keep you from focusing on the facts and figures. In 1963, a pastor by the name of Martin Luther King Jr. preached about racial equality. All people, regardless of religion or race, stand equal. His message resonated loudly across America.He was, without any doubt, one of America’s greatest heroes. A brave, eloquent and inspiring man whose stirring speeches still resonate powerfully today. Little known fact? Martin Luther King Jr, a church pastor cheated on his wife Coretta Scott many times according to the gossip columns of that day. He was a serial adulterer throughout their marriage. If contemporary media had focused on these sensationalist stories, his loud message would be drowned out because people would want to hear more about the private details of his personal life. Martin Luther King Jr. was a trailblazer for racial equality and the end of desegregation.

So, what should we, as individuals, do? Malcolm X once said “ If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”. Sensationalism, however biased and deceiving is a reality. As citizens of a society, we should consider the source of information and use critical thinking skills regarding news reports and the claims of politicians and such. The intent to manipulate whether for political reasons or to entertain-both are undesirable. Before forming opinions, it’s important that we research and evaluate information from different avenues ourselves. Where are you getting your information from? Is the source credible? Surveys and graphs are pleasing to the eye and very convincing but evaluate the data with a discerning eye. Form an educated opinion, not necessarily a popular one.

So, no, Ebola isn’t going to cause an epidemic in America. According to the World Health Organization, there was a total of 28,602 ebola deaths in the past two years while there was a total of 627,000 deaths caused by malaria, a story that goes untold. The sue-happy MCD customer? She was a 79 year old woman with 3rd degree burns over 6% of her body because of MCD’s purposeful overheating of coffee which was something they had previously been warned for. Don’t give up your cardio just yet.