Journalism
Fear was used hundreds of years ago to start a public up cry and continues to be used today as a persuasive tool.
Muckraking
The pen is sometimes mightier than the sword.
At the turn of the century, written works were more important than ever. Writing to Congress was a slow process which often produced little results. Publishing articles had a much quicker and often immediate impact. The term Muckraker began to apply to these writers who exposed injustices so grave that they made the average American's blood run cold.
In 1902, Lincoln Steffens published a series of articles exposing how city officials worked with big businesses to maintain power while corrupting the public treasury (U.S. History Online Textbook). He then released a book titled The Shame of the Cities. This book led to a public outcry which demanded the reform of the city government and a creation of a new system.
A few months later, Ida Tarbell published "History of the Standard Oil Company." This article exposed the cutthroat business practices behind Rockefeller's rise to power. These articles increased Rockefeller's opposition.
The most well known muckraker was Upton Sinclair who published works depicting the horrible effects of capitalism on the workers in the meatpacking industry. His work, The Jungle, explored in detail the horrors that the workers went through. They lost fingers and toes. They lost finger nails while working with acid. They worked in cold, unsanitary conditions. Sinclair also uncovered what was actually in the products being produced in these factories. There were rats in most factories and chemicals were used to cover up the smell of spoiled meat. Sinclair hoped to cause a public outcry against workers conditions but instead caused an outcry against production techniques. Her depiction and word choice caused her story to hit reader's stomachs instead of their hearts. Even though Sinclair's goal was not completed, he still caused a reaction. President Roosevelt was persuaded by the writing and within months Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act along with the Meat Inspection Act.
Fear for their own health and fear of big businesses are powerful things. When the Muckrakers wrote, they wrote stories that were meant to draw upon people's fears. The stories used descriptive wording and visual images to craft tales that led to public outcries. Muckrakers used fear as a tool to convince citizens to take action.
At the turn of the century, written works were more important than ever. Writing to Congress was a slow process which often produced little results. Publishing articles had a much quicker and often immediate impact. The term Muckraker began to apply to these writers who exposed injustices so grave that they made the average American's blood run cold.
In 1902, Lincoln Steffens published a series of articles exposing how city officials worked with big businesses to maintain power while corrupting the public treasury (U.S. History Online Textbook). He then released a book titled The Shame of the Cities. This book led to a public outcry which demanded the reform of the city government and a creation of a new system.
A few months later, Ida Tarbell published "History of the Standard Oil Company." This article exposed the cutthroat business practices behind Rockefeller's rise to power. These articles increased Rockefeller's opposition.
The most well known muckraker was Upton Sinclair who published works depicting the horrible effects of capitalism on the workers in the meatpacking industry. His work, The Jungle, explored in detail the horrors that the workers went through. They lost fingers and toes. They lost finger nails while working with acid. They worked in cold, unsanitary conditions. Sinclair also uncovered what was actually in the products being produced in these factories. There were rats in most factories and chemicals were used to cover up the smell of spoiled meat. Sinclair hoped to cause a public outcry against workers conditions but instead caused an outcry against production techniques. Her depiction and word choice caused her story to hit reader's stomachs instead of their hearts. Even though Sinclair's goal was not completed, he still caused a reaction. President Roosevelt was persuaded by the writing and within months Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act along with the Meat Inspection Act.
Fear for their own health and fear of big businesses are powerful things. When the Muckrakers wrote, they wrote stories that were meant to draw upon people's fears. The stories used descriptive wording and visual images to craft tales that led to public outcries. Muckrakers used fear as a tool to convince citizens to take action.
Yellow Journalism
From 1895 to 1898 a new style of journalism emerged called Yellow-Journalism. This style of journalism emphasized sensationalism over fact. This was one of the main factors that pushed the United States and Spain into a war over Cuba and the Philippines.
The term yellow-journalism emerged in 1896 following a battle between two major publishing company. This battle took place between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst who were the largest newspaper publishers in New York City. The battle emerged after Hearst attempted to buy a well-known cartoonist, who depicted life in the slums, away from Pulitzer. This resulted in a bidding-war which was meant to increase profits. The cartoonist's main character was known as Yellow Kid. Hearst was the winner of the battle but Pulitzer refused to give in and hired his own cartoonist. This battle gave rise to the term Yellow Journalism, a means of drawing more attention.
This two publishers, Hearst and Pulitzer began to focus more of their time on the Cuban revolutionaries. They published radical and false accounts of the harsh and inhumane treatment of the Spanish. Many people began to call upon Spain to withdraw from the island and others began to send money to support the Cuban revolutionaries. The accounts published in newspapers began to convince an ever increasing number of individuals that Spain was a monster that needed to be stopped. These newspapers used bold headlines and creative drawings to draw readers in and sell as many newspapers as possible.
On February 15, 1898 a battle ship floating in Cuba's Havana Bay exploded killing many Americans and leaving many others injured. The initial reports indicated that the explosion had taken place on the vessel itself but journalists began to write radical stories of plots to sink the ship. the Anti-Spanish resentment grew. It was particularly fueled by U.S. Naval Investigator who said that the explosion was a result of a mine in the harbor. By early May, the Spanish-American war had begun and it was largely due to Yellow Journalism.
The American people felt threatened by the Spanish. The newspapers fed anti-Spanish sentiments by making people fear what would happen if America didn't step in. The explosion of the Maine was a perfect opportunity for publishers all over America because it showed a specific threat to the American people. The fear that people experienced after hearing about the explosion allowed newspapers to convince citizens that the Spanish were to blame when there was no actual proof. Elected officials represent the people. When American citizens began to turn against the Spanish the American government had no choice but to follow. the fear of public shame and not being re-elected pushed the whole country towards war. Yellow Journalism feeds on the fear of people and turns that fear into profits. Hearst and Pulitzer both realized what a powerful effect fear can play and their radical stories show that when fear is involved people are willing to believe many things. This further proves that fear is the ultimate rhetorical device.
The term yellow-journalism emerged in 1896 following a battle between two major publishing company. This battle took place between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst who were the largest newspaper publishers in New York City. The battle emerged after Hearst attempted to buy a well-known cartoonist, who depicted life in the slums, away from Pulitzer. This resulted in a bidding-war which was meant to increase profits. The cartoonist's main character was known as Yellow Kid. Hearst was the winner of the battle but Pulitzer refused to give in and hired his own cartoonist. This battle gave rise to the term Yellow Journalism, a means of drawing more attention.
This two publishers, Hearst and Pulitzer began to focus more of their time on the Cuban revolutionaries. They published radical and false accounts of the harsh and inhumane treatment of the Spanish. Many people began to call upon Spain to withdraw from the island and others began to send money to support the Cuban revolutionaries. The accounts published in newspapers began to convince an ever increasing number of individuals that Spain was a monster that needed to be stopped. These newspapers used bold headlines and creative drawings to draw readers in and sell as many newspapers as possible.
On February 15, 1898 a battle ship floating in Cuba's Havana Bay exploded killing many Americans and leaving many others injured. The initial reports indicated that the explosion had taken place on the vessel itself but journalists began to write radical stories of plots to sink the ship. the Anti-Spanish resentment grew. It was particularly fueled by U.S. Naval Investigator who said that the explosion was a result of a mine in the harbor. By early May, the Spanish-American war had begun and it was largely due to Yellow Journalism.
The American people felt threatened by the Spanish. The newspapers fed anti-Spanish sentiments by making people fear what would happen if America didn't step in. The explosion of the Maine was a perfect opportunity for publishers all over America because it showed a specific threat to the American people. The fear that people experienced after hearing about the explosion allowed newspapers to convince citizens that the Spanish were to blame when there was no actual proof. Elected officials represent the people. When American citizens began to turn against the Spanish the American government had no choice but to follow. the fear of public shame and not being re-elected pushed the whole country towards war. Yellow Journalism feeds on the fear of people and turns that fear into profits. Hearst and Pulitzer both realized what a powerful effect fear can play and their radical stories show that when fear is involved people are willing to believe many things. This further proves that fear is the ultimate rhetorical device.
If It Bleeds, It Leads
"Grins, Gore, and Videotape - The Trouble with Local TV News"
- Eric Pooley
The writer of this article attempts to show people the reality of television news without directly stating it. The writer, Denise Oliver, takes a second-hand approach by speaking about the life of David Diaz. David Diaz is revealing the "Real Broadcast News" by conveying his own experiences in the news business. Oliver connects Diaz's story with an article written by Eric Pooley which was titled "Grins, Gore, and Videotape - The Trouble with Local TV News." He writes about the points that Pooley made in his article and backs up those opinions with those of Diaz. Oliver takes a very journalistic approach to this piece, not ever mentioning his own opinions. He uses quotes and factual information to build up the argument.
This article shows the true news. Diaz says he is disgusted by what newspapers and news stations choose to display. The stories that they display are meant to draw in viewers and convince viewers that what they are saying is what the people should believe. Diaz believes that the news should be displayed honestly and accurately. He also believes that the sad and happy stories should be shown. News stations show the sad and the fear-filled news stories to draw in the audiences. Fear is a major draw for many people.
This article shows the true news. Diaz says he is disgusted by what newspapers and news stations choose to display. The stories that they display are meant to draw in viewers and convince viewers that what they are saying is what the people should believe. Diaz believes that the news should be displayed honestly and accurately. He also believes that the sad and happy stories should be shown. News stations show the sad and the fear-filled news stories to draw in the audiences. Fear is a major draw for many people.
Fear-Based News
When news stations were first created their goals were to keep the population informed of current events. Today, news stations are competing for the highest number of viewers and are more focused on playing the stories which will draw the most attention. This change in focus has led in a shift of content. Think about it, what draws more attention, a grandmother saving her grandson or the recent political scandal? News stations today use the if it bleeds, it leads mentality. New fear-based media has two aims, to grab the viewer's attention and to convince the viewer that a solution to the problem can be found in the story (Serani). By making the viewer afraid of a possible situation they can draw a reader in by proposing a possible solution. Another way that media draws in readers and draws the reader back is by stunting the reporting. This means that the reporters do not completely solve the problem, leaving the viewer anxious and looking for answers. The image on the right displays the tactics that many news stations use to draw in viewers. Even though the picture to the left is a little extreme it does show how the news has changed. Our society has changed to incorporate fear into many aspects of our daily life. People like to think that they avoid fear, but fear is part of the tv shows and news that they watch every night. News stations rely on fear-filled stories to draw a viewer in. It is evident from the new mentality that news stations have embraced that fear is a key persuasive tool.
A Moment of the News
This news clip focuses on two convicts who have recently escaped from prison by climbing through a number of pipes and using tools to break through walls. This is one of the main news stories of the day because it brings fear. Yes, there may be a war going on or a man being shot a few towns over but that is not as important as the fact that our prison systems are failing. As soon as the news reached the news stations people began to analyze whose fault the escape was and what faults were present in the system. After being shocked with the initial fear that an escaped convict brings people begin to listen to the news. The news casters purposely remain calm. They convey all opinions and facts in a serious and controlled manner, seeming to know what they are saying and doing while the rest of the viewers are in chaos. This means that viewers are more likely to listen to the newscasters and be swayed by their opinions.
Top Twitter News Stories
This graph shows the reactions to certain news events on twitter. The most talked about events were all negative. Negative events tend to draw the most attention because people tend to want to know what threat they could face. Negative events and controversial events draw the people which draw in the money. Shootings and invasions tend to cause an instinctive fear reaction. Once a fear reaction is triggered, people continue to watch the news to be brought up to date with recent findings. For example, after a shooting people continue to watch to see if the shooter has been caught and how the shooting victims are doing. Many people try to hide the feeling of fear by disguising it with feelings of sadness and revenge. Fear is always present in the back of a persons mind after a major event and that is why so many people take to social media. On social media people can rant, rave, and relate with other people. people don't feel as alone when there are millions of other people feeling similar things. Fear causes the sad and the horrible news events to lead. We as a society don't expect to watch the news and only hear about rainbows and puppies, that just isn't how our society has been built.