Sensationalism and Conflict in Foreign Television News

Abstract

Previous research has shown that conflict and bizarre human-interest stories are often staples of foreign news reporting. In recent years, there has also been a growing trend to sensationalize foreign news coverage, especially in terms of the way it is presented on television. This paper compares foreign and domestic news in terms of several indicators of sensationalism and conflict: topics: "actors," graphics, animation, background music, slow and speeded up motion, repetition of visuals, gory visuals, soft focus, color change, and extreme emotion. We assume that, in order to attract viewers and keep them tuned to foreign news, conflict and sensational news themes and their presentation styles are played up more in foreign than in domestic news. In addition, increasing media privatization and competition among commercial television channels in many countries seems to be sensationalizing the news. Thus the paper also examines potential differences between commercial and public service stations in terms of the ways they cover foreign news events. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript