The media has a unique ability to affect attitudes and behaviors, negatively and positively. Through the use of many vehicles, media affects change in our society. One medium that largely produces these outcomes is the news media.
The news media plays a pivotal role in our society because it facilitates debate on national issues of concern; it not only makes the public aware of the events occurring, but it also allows for the resolve of these issues through discussion and coverage. The manner in which it covers these debates, however, can cause either positive or negative outcomes and attitudes.
When news media foster effective communication between parties by allowing discussion, it results in constructive outcomes; the news can provide a unique forum for covering these matters of concern and bringing them to a resolution. However, discussing events or debating in a hostile, argumentative fashion can cultivate negative attitudes and hinder diplomatic resolution options.
“Problem-solving tactics generally include empathetic listening to the other side’s point of view, artful questioning to solicit the other side’s underlying interests, needs, and concerns, and creative attempts to satisfy those underlying needs, interests, and concerns in the resolution of the dispute.” (Reuban 2009).
These approaches can be seen in many of the news broadcasters today, especially in the recent debate over whether or not child obesity should be a cause for losing custody of children. The growing problem of obesity in children in this country has been discussed through news media before, but this new suggestion by the American Medical Association that would make it a cause to take children away from their guardians is making this issue a national debate.
By allowing not only coverage of the issues, which brings more awareness of this growing problem and its severity, but also providing a place to debate possible actions, the news media is a necessary vehicle to bring resolution to this debate. Whether that be making a new law that would qualify child obesity as child abuse, making it a cause for putting children in foster care, or a different solution, the media’s constructive coverage of this event is critical in solving this social issue. The media provides a place for communication, which is necessary for any effective resolution – one that could even please both “sides” of this debate. By not framing this issue as a two sided story, where one party will prevail over another, the news media is allowing multiple ideas and perspectives to be heard, which will hopefully bring the most effective solution ideas to the table.
(Reuban, Richard C. "The Impact of News Coverage on Conflict: Toward Greater Understanding." University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series (2009). Web.)
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