Final answer:
The news media influences public perception of fear through agenda setting and gatekeeping, by selectively reporting events that perpetuate unrealistic fears based on biased and sensationalized content. The rise of citizen journalism and social media has created more outlets for information yet also increased the spread of fake news, which further distorts public perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
News media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of fear and what the public should be worried about. This impact, often referred to as agenda setting, primes viewers and readers to prioritize certain issues over others. For instance, exhaustive media coverage of violent crimes, despite an actual decrease in crime rates, can lead the public to perceive an increase in crime and subsequently have heightened fears. Additionally, media tends to sensationalize and selectively report incidents based on racial and gender biases, skewing public perception and potentially influencing policy and elections.
Media acts as a gatekeeper, filtering and choosing stories that align with their narratives. This control over the flow of information affects our reality by focusing on specific stories. The repetition and emphasis of certain types of stories, such as crime or acts of terrorism, perpetuate unrealistic fears among the public. Moreover, the presentation and framing of news, whether through brief broadcast clips or front-page articles, influence how the audience understands and reacts to events.
With the rise of citizen journalism and social media, there's been a significant change in media dynamics, leading to increased coverage of world events. However, the influx of information sources raises concerns regarding the authenticity and accuracy of news, contributing to the proliferation of fake news. Such misinformation can fuel public misconceptions and lead to broader societal issues.