Does the press negatively influence our opinions?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:55:31 -0400

According to a recent article in New Scientist was the claim that media uses certain words to trigger a strong response and that many times people will disregard attempts to change a lifestyle. This in accordance with issues like Weight, Exercise and even Climate.

When people in the press use words like deniers or skeptics the use of the word might actually work against the stated intention. vis-a-vis, cleaning up pollution and losing weight.

Words like 'critical thinking' and 'haters' are judgements as well as concepts of what life should be like. They are subjective and cause resentment by many.

What is your take, does the media exploit news stories from cops and robbers to what kind of pet food is the best?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 4:57 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:57:54 -0400

I think they do - most of the time - and that's the right AND the left.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 16 at 2015 4:59 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:59:09 -0400

They definitely do, it helps support their narratives. I just have to look at the perspectives of Climate Change to see exactly this.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Apr 16 at 2015 5:45 PM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 17:45:29 -0400

Society as a whole is aware the certain words will bring certain emotions. The negative or attention grabbing vocabulary in stories are used to capture your attention.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Apr 16 at 2015 6:08 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 18:08:15 -0400

Of course the media exploits news - thats how they incite an emotional response from viewers which links the viewers to that program or station emotionally (and more or less subconsciously). They do it to gain and keep viewership which results in higher ratings and higher costs to advertisers.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 16 at 2015 10:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 22:05:44 -0400

It appears that 90 percent of the Americans are good, but the 10% get the publicity.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Apr 16 at 2015 10:22 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 22:22:48 -0400

I would say most of the time yes, at least with larger media outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, etc. I have more faith in a smaller local station by a long shot. For the larger ones it is all about increasing viewer count and thus keeping people interested. Strategic wording of stories is a great way to accomplish this goal. By getting people interested they are more likely to then influence said viewers opinions on many different topics.