The news has become a popular and fast-working source of information for recent events. Today, a majority of the general public willingly consider the works released through media as a source of reliable knowledge, while people living in the past depended on first-hand accounts for more efficient knowledge. Both sources of information were flawed, however, the current bias displayed by the media on mass shootings is comparatively more detrimental in contrast to its primary sources; this is shown through the media's manipulative wording, broad audience, and loyalty from the public.
To begin with, the information the displayed by the media directly following a mass shooting is purposely planned …show more content…
It is easily revealed upon closer inspection that the media tends to dramatize their articles. The choice of wording is often used in to bring a sense of importance and intrigue, rather than to simply brief the situation. However, it has become the general consensus for the public to consider information provided by the media as fact, and people ultimately modify their reactions based on the type and consent of the issue they observe (Smidt, Corwin). Therefore, as a result of misinterpretation, the public tends to react poorly to the information received. In contrast, primary accounts of an event cannot be planned out beforehand, and do not carry a specific goal. One example of this is displayed in the novel Columbine, where it was said that the victims of the event. This adds power to their claim, because it represents that the information is solely from themselves, and can …show more content…
To begin with, a personal account from a Korean involved in the Virginia Tech shooting stated "Insert quote." (citation.) The general public is displayed to take all of the accounts within the media seriously, and generate new ideas from the ones portrayed. This results in an overall incorrect result, leaning towards the claims made by the writers of biased articles. It is said that negative feelings spawn from media coverage, participant groups will perceive greater media effects on the comparison group through media coverage (Hee Sun, Park). Due to this, the public finish with biased opinions on a single side of the event. The large amount of loyalty displayed to the media through the public shows that media bias is much more influential in its claims in contrast to personal accounts.
In conclusion, information portrayed through both the media and personal accounts are adherently biased, but media bias releases a greater negative impact. The news of a mass shooting through the bias of the media is proven to result in larger amounts of paranoia, hatred, and racism; caused by the media's selective word choice, wide-reaching audience, and the insistent loyalty of its