Analysis of Television News

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Television news stations seem more interested in capturing viewer interest and ratings than reporting the most significant events of the day. It is easy for viewers to forget that networks are in the business of making money first then attempting to keep the public well informed with quality news broadcasting. To gain a broader perspective on current events, people should obtain information from a number of sources, including television, news radio and a respectable newspaper such as The Wall Street Journal or New York Times.

Overall, I felt First 4 News, an afternoon news broadcast in San Francisco, spent too much time sensationalizing stories of little relevance. This came at the expense of not reporting other news categories such as business or sporting news. The decision to feature President Clinton embracing a mother and daughter at Chicago's O'Hare airport was touching, but was it the highest and best use of the time allowed for political news? Probably not. Did viewers stay tuned through the advertisements to watch this segment? My guess is yes.

I did find many of the stories interesting, but extremely vague. I came away yearning for more information about our recently inducted Secretary of State; the Ebonics debate; and, the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Northwestern China. Only fifteen to thirty seconds were spent reporting these stories while several minutes were consumed informing us of the best value steam and dry irons for our buck.

Nevertheless, I found the video-taped images accompanying each story to be impressive and effective in stirring emotions. I felt a lump in my throat as I watched the victim of a savage beating being wheeled from the courthouse after convicting his attackers. Another film-clip showed people being rescued from the top of a car emerged in flood waters. These pre-selected images and stories were packaged for commentator Emerald Yeh to present to the viewing audience.

The lead story contained film clips and interviews with people at the scene of flooded Highway 4 in Pittsburg, California. (Pittsburg is a bedroom community approximately 40 miles east of San Francisco.) The station led with this story as it affects tens-of-thousands of commuters coming home from San Francisco. The story featured interviews with a woman rescued from her submerged vehicle; comments from clean-up crews; alternative routes for commuters; and a weather forecast of more rain to come. Even though this was an important story affecting many people, I felt it took too long to cover.

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