News Analysis as a Media Content for Public Opinion Formation and Moulding
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Benin Mediacom Journal
Abstract
The mass media perform certain roles to the sustenance of the society. Crucial among
these roles are surveillance and correlation. The former involves routine journalistic function of
monitoring events and reporting such in news while the latter deals with interpreting issues in
the news for the purpose of building knowledge and coordinating opinions. There is an overlap
between the two roles as opinions cannot be formed without information. In fact, informed
opinions are based on adequate, accurate and authoritative information. Thus, by disseminating
news and further engaging in discussion and analysis of major issues in the news, the media
shape or influence public opinion. This paper examines news analysis as a means of shaping
public opinion. It establishes that the mass media engage in construction and reconstruction of
public opinion through agenda setting and framing. It presents a model depicting a cyclical
process by which the media set agenda, through selective news presentation and treatment; and
frame issues, through discussions and analyses, thereby giving direction for public opinion. The
opinion so formed could result into actions and events, which are further reported in the news,
based on their news values.
Description
Keywords
News analysis, Public opinion, Agenda setting, Framing