The Print Media - Research Proposal Example

The Print Media Media has become a very significant aspect of opinion building, rather the most influential one. Though there is an immense debate over the identification of opinion leaders, and also the most appropriate medium to affect opinion building; yet the significance of the print media doesn’t fade away. In other words, the opinion leaders over the mass media i.e. the print and even the social media are directly influenced by the print media since it is the most authentic yet vast media for exploring all sides of the story. Yet, the opinion leaders themselves might choose to highlight certain aspects of the issue out of the holistic analysis over print media. However, sometimes, even the print media somehow entails a prevalent bias which readily shapes the opinion in a set direction. For this reason, once various mediums of media and the media conglomerates are in sync regarding the direction of news coverage and opinion formation, certain reforms and revolutions are underway. Furthermore, the impact of the news stories may also readily be gauged by their presentation, i.e. how the issue has been addressed. To prove the point, the story regarding New York Police Department in relation to Mayor De Blasio`s intention to reform the department and his presence for the police force. Following the news story trial over New York Times demonstrates certain trends. Originally, as New York Times borrowed from the Associated Press to break the news, the generic format has been followed where the 5Ws and 1H have been covered to merely ‘inform’ the audience of the news story (‘Mayor Meets With Families’). However, a recent detailed version of the story public on the New York Times reveal the account from the lens of the bloggers which is indicated by the mere headline of the piece, i.e. ‘NYC Mayor De Blasio: Police Were Disrespectful to Turn Backs’. In other words, the gist of the story which clearly speaks of the account of how the Mayor castigates the police officers is revealed by the headline. Any reader referring to the news story or even an opinion leader mentioning this news story can`t help but readily demonstrate an inherent bias towards the issue (`Police Were Disrespectful`). Further reading into the story, the story reveals the account of how the Mayor castigated the NYPD and directly targeted those who created a scene at the funeral earlier saying that these officers were disrespectful towards the families of the deceased. Furthermore, the piece is worded in such a way that it would appear to the reader as if the Mayor exceeded his limits and was too harsh on the innocent officers. Moreover, another report says that Mayor avoided the reporters for weeks, which has again been presented in such a way that the readers would perceive as if the Mayor was merely engaged in face-saving (‘Backs Turned on the Mayor’). Therefore, clearly, the piece lacks balanced approach. However, the same paper reported the issue in a contrasting context earlier where the bias was placed more in the favor of the mayor. The opinion editorial published on New York Times labeled ‘Respect for NYPD Squandered in Attacks on Bill de Blasio’ presents yet another picture where the paper takes a contrasting direction on the issue. Though the headline doesn’t clearly puts the blame on the NYPD officers and mentions how there has been an attack on their respect factor. However, a critical analysis on the news story points out how the editorial unfolds in such a way that the unfair reaction of the police officers has been pointed out. Therefore, this story again lacks balance where it focuses on how the officers feel ridiculed over the reforms being lobbied for by the Mayor. In other words, just like other departments the reforms calls for an increased accountability for police officers as well. Though the piece does mention how the police officers have a tough job to handle yet it doesn’t justify much on the view of the police officers, and rather justifies the Mayor`s position i.e. what instigated him to take harsh decisions. However, the striking point here is that this op-ed was published prior to the one where the Mayor was critiqued for being hard on the officers. Therefore, a tilt from the original position is rather confusing. Therefore, to avoid such conflicts, it is always advisable to keep the element of impartiality arrive while addressing an issue. Similarly, another news story entitled ‘Some Boos Greet Mayor at NYPD Graduation’ presented by the Associated Press though must be commended on a balanced headline, yet a critical analysis again indicates that the article lacks a balance while reprimanding the police officers on being disrespectful towards their position (‘Some Boos Greet Mayor’). Though viewpoints of both the sides have been touched upon, yet the journalistic devices used indicate a tilt against the disrespect demonstrated by the officers. However, while arguing how the news stories lack balance, it must also be mentioned that there is hardly any story ever reported which maintains a true balance, yet the principle of impartiality must not be ignored. Therefore, conclusively, the news stories are inherently inclined towards creating a bias in minds of opinion leaders. The stories which merely point towards 5Ws and 1H are devoid of this inherent bias since they are merely reporting the incident or an issue. However, the literary and the journalistic devices used in the news stories readily takes a position a throughout the news article. Therefore, those opinion leaders and mass audience looking for the principle of impartiality in news coverage must assess news or issue holistically while keeping in mind several sources and the complete coverage of the issue, since following only a few pieces would only shape the opinion for or against the issue. However, exploring more sides of the issue may lead towards a true analysis on various perspectives surrounding the issue. Also, any news story being referred must be critically analyzed prior to forming an opinion based on the story alone. Works Cited "Backs Turned on the Mayor: Did the N.Y.P.D. Squander Its Credibility?" Taking Note Backs Turned on the Mayor Did the NYPD Squander Its Credibility Comments. N.p., 31 Dec. 2014. Web. 11 Jan. 2015. "Mayor Meets With Families of Slain NYPD Officers." The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Dec. 2014. Web. 11 Jan. 2015. "NYC Mayor De Blasio: Police Were Disrespectful to Turn Backs." Editorial. New York Times 29 Dec. 2014: n. pag. The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Jan. 2015. Web. 11 Jan. 2015. "Some Boos Greet Mayor at NYPD Graduation." The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Dec. 2014. Web. 11 Jan. 2015. Read More