Matching Items (3)
Description
This thesis analyzes research on news media reporting and suicide statistics from the past several decades to determine the effect that reporting has on suicidal ideation and behavior within different populations. Within this paper, the term "news media" refers to print and broadcast journalism organizations (also referred to as mass media) that cover municipal, regional, national or international communities. This thesis is intended to illustrate the impact news media can have on the public's opinions, feelings, perspectives and understanding of facts. Specifically, this thesis aims to show how news media reports can change a community's awareness of, and appreciation for, the issue of suicide within that community and the world at large, especially among marginalized or neglected groups. Further, it seeks to help journalists understand the importance of responsible reporting by showing the negative consequences of irresponsible reporting and discussing the potential positive impact journalism can have if done correctly and appropriately. Finally, the paper concludes that the news media have, and continue to have, a firm hold over public perception when it comes to suicide and suggests journalistic best practices based on the reporting guidelines set forth by the leading authorities on the subject.
ContributorsBosch, Graham Charles (Author) / Kashiwagi, Dean (Thesis director) / Zermeño, Gilbert (Committee member) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
This study aimed to ascertain and measure the effect of news media on the public perception of crime scene investigation. Experimental subjects participated in a survey that collected relative demographic information, media habits, knowledge of crime scene investigation techniques, and relative accuracy of forensic science. The subjects were then exposed to excerpts of news media that diminished accuracy of DNA analysis and blood spatter analysis techniques, after which subjects answered questions about their opinions of crime scene investigation procedures after reading the materials presented. A total of 258 subjects were surveyed, after which data was compiled and analyzed using Chi-squared test as well as the McNemar test. Experimental data found that 52% of all respondents that participated in the survey had their opinions changed regarding the accuracy of crime scene investigation procedures following exposure to media. Further analysis of the data found that respondents in the 18-24 age demographic were significantly more likely to have their opinions changed following exposure to media as well as respondents with less education (defined as having earned less than an undergraduate degree). There was also significance found for the relationship between the amount of time spent per week watching CSI/Law Enforcement programs and opinions changed following exposure to media as well as the relationship between the amount of time spent per week viewing local news programs and opinions changed following exposure to media. Finally, there was significance found for the relationship between the time spent per week visiting social media sites and opinions changed following exposure to media.
ContributorsKemper, Jessica Danielle (Author) / Kobojek, Kimberly (Thesis director) / Jacobson, David (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the necessity of accurately and simply relying scientific discovery and information to the public. Among scientists, the practice is to reduce jargon, engage the audience through storytelling, and include enough detail to give a broad understanding of a narrow topic. Conflict between journalists and scientists leads to a creation of a different narrative for the general public. The news site CNN.com was searched with the google archive function by year for articles that included the keyword vaccine. Articles were sorted into categories of main focus such as political, cultural and scientific or mixed. Results were analyzed and conclusions made about the amount of content in each category for the kind of narrative being written about vaccines, with most years having most articles in the political category. Possible effectiveness of mixed categories were discussed and areas future research identified.
ContributorsFreeman, Lindsay (Author) / Sellner, Erin (Thesis director) / Briggs, Georgette (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Hugh Downs School of Human Communication (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor)
Created2022-05