Writing Task 2 Sample 4

Writing Task 2 - Sample 4: Media

Topic: News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print
in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we
become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was
reported?
The contents broadcasted by mass media (the television and the printing press in
particular) is believed to have a significant effect on people’s thoughts and
behaviour. Hence, various individuals and groups take interest in what appears in
the media, but the ultimate decision lies with the news editor. This essay seeks to
understand the pressure and the motivation that drives the editors. Furthermore, it
is argued that people have become desensitised to negative news and it would be
beneficial if positive news was reported more often. This stand point is also
explored in this essay.
There are inter-related influences that factor into a news editor’s decision, namely
large corporations, the government, the audience and personal interest of the news
editor. Firstly, it is often the case that large corporations have stakes in media
companies. This serves their profit-making and political objectives. By releasing
certain information the media can be a powerful tool to sway the public opinion in
certain directions. Hence, political campaigns often involve a large amount of
corporate and media contribution. In turn, the government does to some extent
restrain the operations of media. News editors face pressure from these group on
daily basis and their decisions are likely to be affect by this factor. Moreover, news
editors are too certain extend compelled either on subconscious level by their
education and background or purposefully by their personal stakes, such as career
opportunities, which may compromise their objectivity when faced numerous


opportunities to express their opinion publicly. Another factor is the audience
interest, which varies from seeking knowledge and information, looking for
interest and entertainment. Overall, news editors need to evaluate the consequence

of news against the value of the news on the public.
There is a concern that people’s level of tolerance for bad news has increased,
which might have negative influence over their mind. It is even suggested that
people have developed a taste for negative press that causes shocking and
sensational gossip. Nevertheless, it is impertinent to ask the question where the bad
news comes from, whether it is mere manipulation of the media to attract audience
or the reports correspond to major events around the world. Although gossip
magazines and tabloids do use negative press to attract audience, serious journalist
focus on reporting important news. At the moment there are a lot of worrying
developments around the world such as wars, recession natural disasters and
climate change. The people that seek out negative press are only a minor group in
the audience. People have become utterly desensitised to bad news, but that
negative news is the natural outcome of the deteriorating development around the
world making people more cautious and worry.
Some advocate that the promotion of good news will have a positive impact on the
society. For some people positive news may counteract the effect of negative news
and help them to overcome the sense of pessimism. There is a large audience for
positive and productive news that is not being adequately satisfied at the moment.
All in all, there is a number of inter-related factors that have an impact on a news
editor’s decision whether to publish something or not. Negative news is making
more frequent appearance in the media, which has not diminished its profound
impact on the audience’s mind and hence more positive news should be reported in
order to counter this force.