Watch a half hour of news programming on each of the following: Fox News (national, NOT local), CNN, and MSNBC (90 minutes total). In two pages, write an essay that addresses each of the following questions. How do the topics and/or content of the stories vary? How do the advertisements during commercials vary? What does this suggest about their target audiences? If viewers regularly watch only one of these stations, what will they miss? What implications does this have for creating an informed electorate? Finally, spend a few paragraphs evaluating the importance the media played on recent elections.
Sample Solution
After watching a half hour of news programming on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC (90 minutes total), it is clear that each station has a distinct approach when covering stories. Fox News typically focuses on stories with a conservative slant such as those involving national security or immigration while CNN tends to focus on global events and current affairs more generally. MSNBC’s coverage is unique in that it often includes op-eds from commentators which may be either liberal-leaning or centrist in nature.
Sample Solution
After watching a half hour of news programming on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC (90 minutes total), it is clear that each station has a distinct approach when covering stories. Fox News typically focuses on stories with a conservative slant such as those involving national security or immigration while CNN tends to focus on global events and current affairs more generally. MSNBC’s coverage is unique in that it often includes op-eds from commentators which may be either liberal-leaning or centrist in nature.
In terms of the advertisements aired during these shows, the differences are even more apparent. Fox News generally runs ads related to health insurance, retirement planning services, and conservative political organizations while CNN primarily advertises luxury items such as cars or vacations along with pharmaceuticals and home improvement products. Meanwhile, MSNBC’s commercials tend to focus mostly on progressive causes like social justice initiatives and charitable giving campaigns.
The variation in topics covered by each station suggests that they each target different audiences; Fox News caters to an older demographic with its traditionalist take on news stories while CNN attracts younger viewers with its emphasis on global topics and up-to-date information; meanwhile MSNBC targets politically minded viewers who prefer an opinionated take on current events.
Most importantly though, viewers who rely exclusively upon one news source will inevitably miss out major stories reported by other stations. This could have serious implications for developing an informed electorate because people need access information from multiple sources order make informed decisions about their future leaders; if voters only get their news from one station then they risk being exposed biased reporting instead actual facts.
Looking at recent elections this becomes especially important because media can have great influence over public opinion. For instance in 2016 Donald Trump was able to leverage his celebrity status turn attention towards himself thereby gaining support based largely upon name recognition rather than any real policies he proposed during campaign season.
Overall it is clear that having access multiple sources of news essential for obtaining accurate understanding current events which makes sense why people should strive become well-informed citizens before casting votes come election day. Therefore if we want ensure our voices heard must stay vigilant watch all sides carefully so nothing gets overlooked when making important decisions like choosing our representatives government officials entrusted shape country’s future years ahead
