The news media play an important role in society. Their coverage affects citizens’ perceptions of social issues, influences how people vote in elections, and informs citizens about government policies. This is especially true when it comes to coverage of health and social policy.
A large body of research suggests that the way news stories are framed can significantly influence how people think about these issues. Framing refers to the “interpretive packages” journalists create when reporting about a topic. News stories that present social problems as individual case studies invite individualistic attributions of responsibility for their causes, while stories that frame issues in terms of the systemic trends that cause them can help readers see how government action is needed to address them.
Journalists working on breaking news stories are often required to verify information quickly, navigate potential safety concerns in chaotic situations, and maintain professionalism under intense pressure. As a result, they may struggle to get the facts right or miss out on vital context. This can lead to misassumptions among audience members about the integrity of the news they are receiving.
Many of these misassumptions are about how reporters decide what to report on, who they interview, and why they choose particular sources and methods. This is particularly true for news outlets that cover local community and government issues. As such, it is critical that audiences know what criteria editors use when selecting stories to ensure they have the information they need to trust the news they are consuming.
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