“IF IT BLEEDS, IT LEADS”
Writing is what some of us do as a means of living and what some of us do from choice and passion. The literate of the masses have been taught and trained since childhood about the worth of writing, how it hones our expressive abilities, induces discipline of thought and is the most honest of pastimes.
Writing gives birth to either report or fiction. Report writing or journalistic writing is invaluable, especially in our times when reports and news is the means of connecting us globally. As a vocation, journalistic writing has a lot of responsibility. It is intended to present the truth of incidents to the reader. However, as is seen frequently, yellow journalism is on the rise. The first question that we must ask ourselves is:
What is Yellow Journalism?
“Yellow Journalism, or the yellow press, is a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers”, says Wikipedia. This essentially refers to “Sensationalism”, that is, the use of sensational matter or methods, especially in writing, journalism, or politics. In most cases the story sells because the news is concocted from not real incidents, but from gossip and rumours, and journalists become judges instead of unbiased reporters.
Shocking crime stories, especially involving high profile people, reign supreme in newspapers, as the media’s delirious coverage of incidents like the recent Sheena Bora Murder case or the Robinson Street Skeletons scandal. In incidents such as these, besides the wild fabrication of speculations, all privacy is done away with, as the lives of the concerned individuals are scanned under the spotlight ( Remember the media hyped term Paparazzi? ) An elaborate web of different views of different reporting personnel tangles up the readers’ conception of the truth in the matter, which seems lost for good.
Sensationalism is an evil in the sense that it curbs public opinion forming because it piles up one biased view after the other on the reader, and in the process, one is thoroughly misguided. Thus, one’s own perspective of the matter and their scope to form an opinion about it is conveniently annihilated. This aspect can be, and has been abused by opportunist groups.
This menace needs to be curbed. Unless we want a society of misguided individuals without a compact opinion on anything, Yellow Journalism has to be done away with. Media essentially needs personnel that value the truth more than benefit, and as the reading group, we need to do away with the scandal-causing factions of Media and their myths as a whole.
Sensationalism isn’t always a bad thing. It can help create awareness about issues that are not glamorous enough but important nonetheless. However, this side of the matter is rarely explored. If used for causes like, for example, “Save the Tiger” Campaign, the evil can be harnessed for causing good to our society.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :-
Antarleena Saha is a bibliophile, who is completing her graduation in English from Presidency University, Kolkata. This columnist for ExPRESS MAGAZINE has a passion for photography and travelling. Some of her other articles are as follows :-
http://express5515.blogspot.in/2015/12/doves-on-sandy-shore.html
PLEASE SHARE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO RAISE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING SENSATIONALIZATION! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! CHEERS!
Writing is what some of us do as a means of living and what some of us do from choice and passion. The literate of the masses have been taught and trained since childhood about the worth of writing, how it hones our expressive abilities, induces discipline of thought and is the most honest of pastimes.
Writing gives birth to either report or fiction. Report writing or journalistic writing is invaluable, especially in our times when reports and news is the means of connecting us globally. As a vocation, journalistic writing has a lot of responsibility. It is intended to present the truth of incidents to the reader. However, as is seen frequently, yellow journalism is on the rise. The first question that we must ask ourselves is:
What is Yellow Journalism?
“Yellow Journalism, or the yellow press, is a type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers”, says Wikipedia. This essentially refers to “Sensationalism”, that is, the use of sensational matter or methods, especially in writing, journalism, or politics. In most cases the story sells because the news is concocted from not real incidents, but from gossip and rumours, and journalists become judges instead of unbiased reporters.
Shocking crime stories, especially involving high profile people, reign supreme in newspapers, as the media’s delirious coverage of incidents like the recent Sheena Bora Murder case or the Robinson Street Skeletons scandal. In incidents such as these, besides the wild fabrication of speculations, all privacy is done away with, as the lives of the concerned individuals are scanned under the spotlight ( Remember the media hyped term Paparazzi? ) An elaborate web of different views of different reporting personnel tangles up the readers’ conception of the truth in the matter, which seems lost for good.
Sensationalism is an evil in the sense that it curbs public opinion forming because it piles up one biased view after the other on the reader, and in the process, one is thoroughly misguided. Thus, one’s own perspective of the matter and their scope to form an opinion about it is conveniently annihilated. This aspect can be, and has been abused by opportunist groups.
This menace needs to be curbed. Unless we want a society of misguided individuals without a compact opinion on anything, Yellow Journalism has to be done away with. Media essentially needs personnel that value the truth more than benefit, and as the reading group, we need to do away with the scandal-causing factions of Media and their myths as a whole.
Sensationalism isn’t always a bad thing. It can help create awareness about issues that are not glamorous enough but important nonetheless. However, this side of the matter is rarely explored. If used for causes like, for example, “Save the Tiger” Campaign, the evil can be harnessed for causing good to our society.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :-
Antarleena Saha is a bibliophile, who is completing her graduation in English from Presidency University, Kolkata. This columnist for ExPRESS MAGAZINE has a passion for photography and travelling. Some of her other articles are as follows :-
http://express5515.blogspot.in/2015/12/doves-on-sandy-shore.html
PLEASE SHARE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO RAISE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING SENSATIONALIZATION! THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! CHEERS!
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