The News Production Research Theory Worksheet
Sample Solution
News Production Research Theory Worksheet: Evaluating News Slant
Based on the criteria outlined in Chapter 13 (pp. 332-333) of the textbook, let's analyze the slant (fragmented, personalized, dramatized, or normalized) of each news outlet sample:
1. K-LOVE
Headline: "Man Uses Billboard to Propose to Girlfriend After She Says No Twice" [Source to be determined - Replace with the actual source of the news clip]
Slant: Personalized News Convention
- Criteria: Personalized news focuses on individuals and their stories, often using anecdotes and human-interest elements ([Baran, 2016], p. 332).
- Analysis: This headline highlights a single individual's (the man) unique proposal story, appealing to the emotional connection readers might have with the situation.
2. Los Angeles Daily News (LADN)
Headline: "California drought: Water restrictions could hit Southern California homes as early as next summer" [Source: Los Angeles Daily News]
Slant: Normalized News Convention
- Criteria: Normalized news presents information in a neutral and objective manner, focusing on factual details and avoiding sensationalism ([Baran, 2016], p. 332).
- Analysis: This headline presents a straightforward announcement about potential water restrictions, focusing on factual details (location and timeframe) without exaggerating the situation.
3. Associated Press via Yahoo News
Headline: "Brittney Griner's lawyers appeal 9-year sentence in Russia" [Source: Yahoo News]
Slant: Fragmented News Convention
- Criteria: Fragmented news focuses on isolated events without providing broader context or background information ([Baran, 2016], p. 333).
- Analysis: This headline mentions Brittney Griner's appeal but doesn't offer details about the charges against her or the ongoing US-Russia tensions.
Full Answer Section
Fox News
Headline: "NYC Mayor Adams declares war on 'illegal dirt bikes and ATVs' terrorizing city streets" [Source: Fox News]
Slant: Dramatized News Convention
- Criteria: Dramatized news uses language that evokes strong emotions and presents a clear conflict with heroes and villains ([Baran, 2016], p. 333).
- Analysis: This headline uses charged words like "war" and "terrorizing" to create a sense of urgency and potentially portray the dirt bike riders as villains against Mayor Adams (the hero).
Reference:
- Baran, S. J. (2016). Introduction to mass communication: Media literacy and beyond (11th ed.). Routledge.