Sensationalism

The depiction of media with crime seemed to be the distorted reality. The writers put it more colorful words for audience attraction that sometimes, the crime story seemed to be unreal. This warped image is produced mainly by the need of profit by the media especially those in the newspaper business. Since we have the technology to know news easier, the newspaper industry is thriving to gain back their audience who are now more involved in using technology. Also, with the newspaper stories having only the accompaniment of photos, the writer needs to extend his words in order to captivate the audiences’ attention. The same goes with radio broadcasting where in there are no visuals. This disagrees with the saying that pictures tell a thousand stories. Here, the words must speak for themselves. More often, photos are not even available and the newspaper is nowhere near to being a photo book wherein there is a need for a photo for every article.

                People crave for conflicts and action stories. They get tired easily by reading the usual news that contains events with long speeches and seminars. So, a crime story is what we often see in the banner and if not, stories about politics or weather. But even politics has conflicts- conflict between the government and people. The reason why we read crime stories is because it gives us the sense of enjoyment. We are naturally born to like to listen to arguments and know what side of the story will prevail.

                With too much sensationalism put in the coverage of a crime story, the true story becomes another story. The use of exciting language by the media does attract readers and the overall media audience but it also puts on the line the expense of accuracy. Accuracy is the main goal of journalism and if it will get inaccurate, then there is no sense of writing the story.

                According to Michael Best, sensationalism makes a story newsworthy although it contradicts the need for precision. A journalist once admitted that they had to order the victim of a murder in a police station to be as violent as possible to the suspect when the camera starts to roll. That journalist said that is was sensationalism which completes a crime story. If sensationalism is not there, the story would be incomplete.

                Writers can still avoid too much exaggeration or any exaggeration at all without putting the facts in danger. The story would remain true yet strong.

 Sticking to the facts is a must. It is important to have a proper division between facts from hearsay. Writers must avoid of using rumors as facts and staying with the truth. Having proper names and story line will keep the story unbiased and less sensational. While doing a coverage, the reporter must be able to get all the facts that he can so that there will be no need to adding other contexts in the story. Tell a good story by telling the truth.