2.5 Identify the negative effects media reporting can have on society

This guide will help you with answers for the NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness 2.5 Identify the negative effects media reporting can have on society.

When discussing the impact of media reporting on society, it’s really important to examine how negative portrayals and sensationalism can affect public opinion, mental health, and community dynamics. Understanding these negative effects helps in promoting more responsible journalism and fostering a more informed and mentally healthy society.

Misinformation and Sensationalism

Sensationalism

Media often uses sensationalism to attract viewers or readers. Sensationalism involves exaggerating stories to create excitement or interest. This can lead to panic or unnecessary fear among the public.

Misinformation

Incorrect or misleading information spread by the media can have serious consequences. When people believe false information, it can lead to poor decision-making and increased anxiety.

Examples

• Health Crises: During health crises, such as pandemics, misinformation can lead to panic buying, ignoring health advice, or using dangerous home remedies.
• Political Events: Sensationalised political reporting can polarise communities and create unnecessary conflict.

Impact on Mental Health

Anxiety and Depression

Negative and sensational reporting can increase rates of anxiety and depression. Continuous exposure to traumatic events, such as violence or natural disasters, can create a heightened sense of fear and helplessness.

Stigmatisation of Mental Health Issues

Media often portrays mental health issues inaccurately. People with mental health problems are sometimes shown as dangerous or unpredictable, which can increase stigma and discrimination. This could discourage individuals from seeking the help they need.

Examples

• Mass Shootings: Following a mass shooting, media may focus on the perpetrator’s mental health history, suggesting that mental illness makes someone more likely to commit violent acts. This is not always accurate and can create harmful stereotypes.

Influence on Public Opinion

Shaping Beliefs and Attitudes

Media has a significant influence on what people believe and how they act. Biased reporting can shape public opinion in a way that may not reflect reality. This can lead to widespread misunderstanding and prejudice.

Divisive Narratives

Media can create or exacerbate divisions within society. By focusing on conflict and controversy, media outlets can make societal divisions seem larger and more contentious than they are.

Examples

• Immigration: Coverage that focuses on negative aspects of immigration can foster xenophobia and racist attitudes, even though positive contributions of immigrants might be underreported or ignored.

Impact on Public Behaviour

Fear and Panic

Sensationalised media can cause fear and panic. People might change their behaviour based on exaggerated reports of dangers, leading to harmful social or economic consequences.

Example

• Terrorism: Media overemphasis on terrorist attacks can make people fearful even in safe environments, leading to social anxiety and changes in how they go about their daily lives.

Desensitisation

Continuous exposure to violent or distressing images can desensitise people. This means they may become less sensitive to suffering or more tolerant of violence. Over time, this can affect how people react to real-life situations of suffering or injustice.

Creating and Perpetuating Stereotypes

Gender and Racial Stereotypes

Media often perpetuates stereotypes about gender and race. These portrayals can influence how society views different groups of people and reinforce harmful biases.

Examples

• Gender Roles: Media often portray women in specific roles, such as caregivers or emotional supporters, while men are shown as leaders or breadwinners. This can limit how both genders see themselves and each other.
• Racial Stereotypes: Non-white individuals are often depicted in negative ways, which can reinforce prejudicial attitudes and systemic inequality.

Economic and Social Class Stereotypes

Socio-economic stereotypes in the media can affect how people understand poverty and wealth. Misrepresentations can stigmatise those who are economically disadvantaged and glorify the wealthy, regardless of the implications.

Example

• Depictions of Poverty: Media might show people in poverty as lazy or morally deficient, which can influence public support for social welfare programs.

Influence on Young Audiences

Behavioural Influence

Young people are particularly sensitive to media influence. Negative media portrayals can shape their behaviour and self-image.

Examples

• Body Image: Media focus on unrealistic body standards can lead to body dysmorphia and eating disorders among young audiences.
• Violence: Exposure to media violence can increase aggression or fear in children and teenagers, influencing their interactions and development.

Moulding Perceptions

The media can shape how young people see the world and themselves. Negative reporting can create a pessimistic or fearful world view, affecting their outlook on life.

Lack of Accountability

Minimal Consequences for Misinformation

Often, there are few consequences for media outlets spreading misinformation. This lack of accountability can encourage irresponsible reporting.

Public Mistrust

When people become aware of media inaccuracies or biases, it can lead to mistrust of all media. This mistrust can make it harder for accurate and responsible journalism to reach the public.

Promoting Responsible Media

Encouraging Balanced Reporting

To mitigate these negative effects, encouraging balanced and accurate reporting is essential. Media literacy programs can help individuals essentially analyse media content.

Regulation and Standards

Strengthening regulatory standards and ethical guidelines can ensure media outlets maintain a high level of integrity. This includes verifying facts before reporting and providing balanced perspectives on issues.

Example answers for unit 2.5 Identify the negative effects media reporting can have on society

Example Answer 1

As a support worker, I’ve observed firsthand the detrimental effects that sensational media reporting can have on individuals dealing with mental health issues. For example, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many news outlets used sensationalist headlines to attract viewers. This caused widespread panic and anxiety among the service users I work with. Several individuals became overly worried about their health and that of their loved ones, leading to increased levels of stress and, in some cases, exacerbating pre-existing mental health conditions.

Example Answer 2

In my role, I often encounter service users who are influenced by media portrayals of mental illness. Negative representations, such as depicting people with mental health issues as violent or dangerous, create stigmas that make it even harder for individuals to seek help. I’ve seen people hesitate to talk openly about their mental health for fear of being judged or labelled. This is a direct result of the media perpetuating harmful stereotypes, making it my job to reassure them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a step towards recovery.

Example Answer 3

During political events or crises, the media often becomes biased, focusing on conflict and controversy. This bias can shape public opinion negatively, causing divisions within communities. I’ve noticed that some service users start to internalize these divisive narratives, which can lead to social isolation and lack of trust in others. For instance, during elections, biased media reporting often paints candidates in an extreme light, making it hard to have balanced conversations about politics. This divisiveness seeps into everyday interactions, sometimes causing tensions even in supportive environments like ours.

Example Answer 4

Unfortunately, media reporting frequently relies on oversimplified or distorted representations of complex social issues. This is especially true when it comes to topics like poverty or crime. I’ve seen how these skewed portrayals can lead to stereotypes and misunderstandings among the general public. For example, when the media consistently shows people in poverty as lazy or morally deficient, it affects how society views and treats economically disadvantaged individuals. This kind of reporting can create barriers for our service users who are trying to improve their lives, as they’re often met with prejudice and lack of empathy.

Example Answer 5

The media’s portrayal of body image is another area where I’ve noticed significant negative effects, especially among younger service users. Many of them are influenced by the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by media. This can lead to body dysmorphia, low self-esteem, and in severe cases, eating disorders. I try to provide support by encouraging them to adopt a more realistic and positive body image. However, combating the pervasive influence of media requires a collective effort, including promoting media literacy and advocating for more responsible reporting on these issues.

Example Answer 6

Lastly, continuous exposure to violent or distressing news stories can desensitize people to real-life suffering. I’ve noticed that frequent consumption of such media can make individuals less sensitive to others’ pain. In some cases, it can even normalize violence or suffering, making it harder to foster empathy and support among community members. This desensitization can have a detrimental impact on community dynamics and the overall mental well-being of the individuals involved. It underlines the importance of promoting responsible media consumption and encouraging individuals to seek balanced news sources.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the negative effects media reporting can have on society is important for fostering a healthier and more informed public. Sensationalism, misinformation, and biased reporting can create undue anxiety, perpetuate stereotypes, and skew public perception. Promoting responsible journalism and media literacy can mitigate these adverse effects, leading to a more aware and balanced society.