(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part series on the distortion of television news.)
Last week we covered truth and outright fiction when it comes to reporting news. There are multiple ways news gets distorted. This week we explore how television news slams you with adjectives to hype you up on a story. If you listen closely, you’ll learn to shrug your shoulders and yawn instead of popping a blood vessel in your forehead about something that’s either just not that important or something you can’t remotely do something about. Go get a beer instead.
I started noticing the adjective thing 5-6 years ago. My wife and I rarely watch television news, but occasionally we go through a bout of turning it on because of a cutting edge issue. It was during one of those times that I started catching the phrases when the announcers talked about the upcoming stories.
“Stay with us for our story on a horrific tree limb falling on the road.”
“Don’t go away. Our next story will alarm you on the growing threat of dental floss.”
“If you were terrified to go outside in the morning before, you’ll be even more petrified after you watch our next clip on searing dangers of watching the sun rise.”
And so on. Witness the adjectives: horrific; alarm; growing threat; terrified; petrified; searing dangers.
What does all this mean? The writers, producers, editors and newscasters want your attention. They want to activate your emotions, get you excited so you stay tuned and come back the next day because you’re so agitated you have to find out what’s going on. And then you get…..
“Following up on yesterday’s story, an outrageous incident occurred as…..”
“We have to warn you about this next segment which comes on the heels of yesterday’s stupendous announcement. What you are about to see is extremely disturbing.”
“And this just in on our segment yesterday regarding the growing menace of nose hair overpopulation.”
Every time you are led by highly charged words, the goal is to push you in a direction. Perhaps that’s why it seems so many people today are acting out, going nuts at sporting events, spewing language designed to hurt others and push them into a corner.
We hear these types of directives at an increasing frequency, and they’re amplified beyond the TV news, as they make their way onto social media channels where smaller tribal units choose to demonize others. Make someone else look bad is their motto. Attack in a mean-spirited way. Do anything possible to draw attention.
I’m way more impressed with a thoughtful discussion on a tough issue that outlines what can be done and what the challenges are. Lay the information out there. Help people understand.
This past weekend I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament. While working out, two mornings I watched the ABC affiliate news. How refreshing!! They gave several minutes to a local youth entrepreneur (a regular feature). They gave the same-length coverage to a local business demonstrating a unique way they approach customers (another regular feature).
Each segment was several minutes long and allowed people to talk in-depth. What a novel approach – actually giving some additional time to let the viewer get a broader picture and put things in context. If I go back next year, I know which news station I’m watching.
I started noticing the adjective thing 5-6 years ago. My wife and I rarely watch television news, but occasionally we go through a bout of turning it on because of a cutting edge issue. It was during one of those times that I started catching the phrases when the announcers talked about the upcoming stories.
“Stay with us for our story on a horrific tree limb falling on the road.”
“Don’t go away. Our next story will alarm you on the growing threat of dental floss.”
“If you were terrified to go outside in the morning before, you’ll be even more petrified after you watch our next clip on searing dangers of watching the sun rise.”
And so on. Witness the adjectives: horrific; alarm; growing threat; terrified; petrified; searing dangers.
What does all this mean? The writers, producers, editors and newscasters want your attention. They want to activate your emotions, get you excited so you stay tuned and come back the next day because you’re so agitated you have to find out what’s going on. And then you get…..
“Following up on yesterday’s story, an outrageous incident occurred as…..”
“We have to warn you about this next segment which comes on the heels of yesterday’s stupendous announcement. What you are about to see is extremely disturbing.”
“And this just in on our segment yesterday regarding the growing menace of nose hair overpopulation.”
Every time you are led by highly charged words, the goal is to push you in a direction. Perhaps that’s why it seems so many people today are acting out, going nuts at sporting events, spewing language designed to hurt others and push them into a corner.
We hear these types of directives at an increasing frequency, and they’re amplified beyond the TV news, as they make their way onto social media channels where smaller tribal units choose to demonize others. Make someone else look bad is their motto. Attack in a mean-spirited way. Do anything possible to draw attention.
I’m way more impressed with a thoughtful discussion on a tough issue that outlines what can be done and what the challenges are. Lay the information out there. Help people understand.
This past weekend I was in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament. While working out, two mornings I watched the ABC affiliate news. How refreshing!! They gave several minutes to a local youth entrepreneur (a regular feature). They gave the same-length coverage to a local business demonstrating a unique way they approach customers (another regular feature).
Each segment was several minutes long and allowed people to talk in-depth. What a novel approach – actually giving some additional time to let the viewer get a broader picture and put things in context. If I go back next year, I know which news station I’m watching.
