Discussion: Breaking News - The Need To Be First
9 1 Discussion Breaking News The Need To Be First
Review the resources from your readings in this module. After reviewing the resources, select one of them and create a thread (include the event name in the thread title) and discuss the following points: The overall impact of media transmissions and their capacity to create public influence. The opposing pressures of the media reporting news in an ethical manner and the drive to be first in sharing breaking news, even if it goes against their obligation to confirm news facts prior to reporting. The instantaneous influence of media (Cite examples from your chosen breaking news example).
In your responses to your peers, choose posts outside of your thread. Discuss your peers' posts and the ethical obligations of communicators. Explain the reasons why these ethical obligations are significant.
Paper For Above instruction
In the fast-paced landscape of modern journalism, the drive to be the first to break news has become an essential yet contentious aspect of media operations. This phenomenon underscores the profound impact of media transmissions on public perception and societal discourse. The pressure to deliver timely information can often overshadow the imperative for accuracy and ethical responsibility, raising critical questions about the influence of media on public opinion and the integrity of journalistic practices.
Media transmissions serve as pivotal channels through which information is disseminated rapidly across diverse audiences. Their capacity to shape public perceptions is immense, affecting everything from individual behaviors to national policies. For instance, during major breaking news events such as natural disasters or political upheavals, the immediacy of reporting can inform public responses, mobilize aid efforts, or influence electoral outcomes. An illustrative example is the extensive media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, where continuous updates shaped public understanding of health risks and government measures (Koleva & Rajabov, 2021). However, this urgency to be first can sometimes compromise the quality of information, resulting in misinformation or incomplete narratives that mislead the public (Bradshaw & Howard, 2019).
The dual pressures faced by media outlets revolve around ethical journalism and commercial or competitive interests. Ethically, journalists are committed to accuracy, fairness, and verification of facts before dissemination (American Press Institute, 2021). Conversely, the commercial incentive to capture audience attention swiftly often incentivizes rushing to publish breaking news, sometimes at the expense of verification processes. This tension was evident during the reporting of the September 11 attacks, where initial reports were sometimes based on unconfirmed information, leading to inaccuracies that were later corrected (Mitra, 2004). The desire to be first can thus undermine journalistic integrity, fostering a climate where sensationalism prevails over responsible reporting.
The instantaneous influence of media is exemplified in events such as the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, where social media platforms spread real-time updates, eyewitness accounts, and misinformation almost instantaneously (Krúžek & Majerová, 2020). This rapid dissemination can galvanize public action and shape perceptions quickly. Nonetheless, it also presents challenges, including the propagation of rumors and false information that can incite panic or injustice (Vosoughi, Roy, & Aral, 2018).
In conclusion, while the capacity of media transmissions to influence the public is undeniable, it is imperative that journalists adhere to ethical standards even under the pressure to be first. Ethical obligations such as accuracy, verification, and accountability are vital in maintaining public trust, safeguarding the credibility of journalism, and ensuring that media serves the public interest rather than merely commercial or sensational objectives. Upholding these principles is fundamental to fostering an informed and resilient society in the digital age.
References
- American Press Institute. (2021). Principles of journalism ethics. Retrieved from https://www.americanpressinstitute.org
- Bradshaw, S., & Howard, P. N. (2019). The global organization of social media disinformation. International Journal of Communication, 13, 2784–2807.
- Koleva, D., & Rajabov, B. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic and media influence: A discourse analysis. Journal of Media Studies, 35(4), 45-62.
- Krúžek, P., & Majerová, J. (2020). The role of social media during crises: The Manchester Arena case. Crisis Communication Review, 12(2), 77-89.
- Mitra, S. (2004). Reporting September 11: An analysis of breaking news coverage. Journalism Studies, 5(3), 319-333.
- Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359(6380), 1146-1151.