News coverage reflects and illuminates, but what gets exposed is a matter of choice. Far from being a mirror that reflects government and politics back to citizens, the media acts more like searchlights, selectively illuminating some objects and leaving others in the dark.
The news can be a powerful tool for marketing and building brand awareness, but it can also have a negative impact on mental health. This is especially true when news coverage focuses on events that are personally relevant, such as violence or hatred towards specific groups of people. Studies have shown that people who consume more negative news are more likely to experience stress and poor moods.
For example, Holman and her team studied how consuming four or more hours of television and newspaper coverage of the 9/11 attacks impacted people’s long-term psychological wellbeing. They found that those who consumed the most negative news were 53% more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder and cardiovascular disease years later – even after controlling for previous health conditions and other factors.
Another common problem with negative news is that it often fails to explore the underlying causes of violence or conflict. For instance, when news coverage of the 2014 hostage situation in Paris focused on a single militant, rather than discussing the complex factors that led to it, it failed to inspire empathy and understanding.
People notice when the news media veers from its normal routine and they are curious about the criteria that determines what is deemed newsworthy. If you have a business that is impacted by local issues such as poverty or crime, it’s important to communicate how you decide what to highlight and what to ignore.