The news impacts our perception of the world, which in turn can affect how we interact with it. The media shapes our beliefs, attitudes and opinions in many areas, such as disability, climate change and economic development.
But there are limits to how much impact a story can have. One major factor is how it’s framed. Framing is the way a story is placed in a context that gives it meaning, such as an episodic frame that tells a person’s personal experience with homelessness or a thematic one that shows trends in how cities are responding to homelessness. An episodic approach may create more sympathy, but the thematic frame leaves audiences disconnected and less likely to act.
In some cases, too much exposure to negative news can even harm our health. For example, research suggests that people who consume the most stress-inducing news have higher levels of cardiovascular problems later in life – even when other factors such as previous health are taken into account.
With so many ways to stay informed, it’s important to be aware of how the media can influence our lives. So, with that in mind, SOJC researchers shared seven trends in news coverage we’ve observed this year.
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