News coverage plays a powerful role in shaping our beliefs and attitudes, particularly when it comes to controversial or sensitive issues. The media can have a profound impact on the way we perceive cancer, for example, or how much empathy we feel toward people experiencing homelessness. But it’s important to remember that what the media chooses not to report is just as important as what it does. What is omitted from the story can skew public perception and lead to one-sided views.
The news we consume also reflects our assumptions about how the world works and the ways that people interact with each other. For instance, if a newspaper reports on people seeking asylum, it may assume that they are motivated by desire to better themselves or economic advantage, and that their actions will create a flood of migrants across borders. It might also imply that the government is responsible for allowing the flood and that it will have to pay for the cost.
Some news organizations have found innovative ways to tackle these challenges. For example, when a local newspaper in Youngstown, Ohio, closed, ProPublica and FRONTLINE launched an application that allows community members to request that a local reporter start covering the town in-depth. This gives people an opportunity to shape the stories they want to see and helps make sure crucial topics get the attention they deserve. It’s also a model that could be replicated across the country.
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