Activity 3, How News is Gathered and Reported
Newspaper reporters and editors have many ways of influencing opinions of their readers. The most important is the determination of what is or is not "news." Excluding or down playing a particular story may be even more important than how the story is presented. If the decision is to cover the story, then its placement in the newspaper is important. Obviously, the front page is where the editors believe the most important stories go. If a story ends up on page 13, it is not likely that it will have much of an impact upon public opinion. Even on the front page, there is a hierarchy of stories with the upper right-hand column receiving the most importance, the upper left the second most important position, followed by the lower right and finally the lower left corner.
The amount of space devoted to an article is important. In most stories, the most important information is usually discussed in the first few paragraphs. The additional parts of the story which appear on subsequent pages are often skipped by busy readers unless they have particular interest in the story.
As newspapers sales are partly based on sales in newsstands, some editors creatively manipulate front page headlines to attract readers. Likewise headlines are important in other articles as often readers skim only the headlines and do not have the time or interest to read every story. Occasionally, headlines give impressions that are qualified or contradicted in the news story itself.
Whether or not the story includes a photograph, and what that photograph conveys, are other ways of influencing the reader. If the story is about a successful military campaign with few casualties, but the photograph shows dead American bodies, the reader may well be left with the opposite impression than what is in the content of the story.
The News Editor serves as a check on the reporter's accuracy and opinion. The Editor also manages the amount and placement of follow-up coverage for the story. In general, the more the story is covered the greater its influence on readers.
Many newspapers publish editorial cartoons. These cartoons are often examined by readers who may not otherwise read the news stories to which the cartoon refers. Cartoons express opinions about the issue or event.
Finally, Owners and Editorial Editors have control over the editorial page which usually expresses their opinion. Their opinions are hopefully based on the analysis of facts. Occasionally, the opinions expressed by reporters in news articles are contradicted by the opinions expressed on the editorial page. News analysis on the news pages is usually labeled, and columnists on the news pages are allowed wide latitude in interpretation.
Student Questions
Why would editors and reporters want to influence public opinions about a particular event or person?
What other ways do editors and reporters influence opinion of readers?
Do television and radio influence opinions in the same way as newspapers?
Return to Activity 3.
Go to the Contents page for International Conflict and the Media.
Go to the Bibliography.