Critical Realism and News Production

Question: Discuss about the Critical Realism and News Production. Answer: Introduction: Worldwide news is defined as a collection of events, which is reported in a systematic manner and needs a medium through which it is available to the masses. It can reach the public by different means. Media and journalism are main transmission forms, which has a big role in shaping the information transfer. Interest, proximity, prominence, timeliness and consequence are some of the basic features of news (Gans, 1999, p. 236). The primary goal of News is to inform and educate public providing information of the immediate surrounding or global events. The war that is taking place in Somalia and the attacks on African American in the United States are some of the examples of the news. When an event is about to happen or will never take according to human expectations then the reporting of these news are found to be entertaining amongst the masses. These news have very less chance of happening and mainly the optimistic masses are welcoming about that news (Fishman, 1999, p. 110). These news instigate the emotions in humans and are the talk of the town for sometime as they are mainly surprised by the fact. The accidental death of Bhumibol Adulyadej, the king of Thailand, the successful surgery of conjoined twins or the Malaysian airline that went missing are some of the example of this category. These type of news bring out the emotional side of humans if by any chance they are connected to these kind of news. The accidental death of the king of Thailand on October 13, 2016 caused a stir worldwide and had a huge impact on the people of Thailand (Barker, 2016, p.1). Prominence also plays a major part in making of the news and media worldwide cover many prominent people or events. This type of news covers mostly prominent personalities in terms of wealth or fame, during a movie release, or on album release (Cohen and Young, 1981, p. 147). For instance, Bill Gates is a world famous personality because of his Microsoft business, which has contributed to technological advancements globally. Wherever he goes, media always have something or the other to take note of his movements. The president of the US also receives huge media attention and receives huge coverage all around the world. This kind of news receives partial attention because they have a positive impact on the society and people have interests in them (Lau, 2004, p. 701). Proximity is defined as those kind of news which informs the people about the things that are trending in the community. This news constantly updates the listeners about the local issues that are taking place around their surroundings. (Donald, 2004, p. 450). The local news reports about the day-to-day affairs that are taking place in a particular state or a country and are so powerful that they can make or break governments in a course of time. For example, a series of criminal events may lead to the transfer of the head of police or deploying more officers in the community for the greater benefit in the future. This news defines the quality of life in which a community survives and the news of the local community helps in maintaining peace or as an evidence if there is some case going on in the court about someone. If any news channels reports about anything good that is happening in a neighboring community, then all the other communities can start that same practice, live together in harmony, and be successful. (Pavlik, 2000, p. 235). Timeliness is one of the characteristics of news reporting. Whenever there is a change in any existing law or practice, the media covers it and the person gets first hand information of these (Karmen, 2005, p. 160). Reporting of such events amounts to news as these events happen rarely and when they do they become the most talked about event in the society as they create an impact on the society. An example of such news is the change in the tax slabs or the increase in the percentage of taxes that has to be paid by an individual. These changes affects people who are accustomed to the daily routine and it takes time to settle in as they do not happen frequently. The time when the event is reported defines it as news because it is frequently reported over a period and the news becomes more of information to the masses. (Livingstone, 2003, p. 340). Inattention and poor judgment by an individual are some of the common errors that happen regarding the news. Reporters also report wrong news, which leads to catastrophical outcomes amongst the masses, environment or the ecosystem. An example of such mistake was the news about the British Petroleum pipes that broke in the ocean resulting in spilling of oil. The news was falsified and spoke about the failure of staff in Kenya Airways, which was running on loss for quite a few years. This resulted in delay of flights and affected people around the world (Onjoro, 2016, p. 1). A report about the changes that are taking place in a particular system is also worthy of news. These changes maybe normal proceedings or technological advancements by introducing new systems (Simon, 2000, p. 435). For example, a change in the salaries of the workers in a company or acquiring new weapons by the army amounts to news. However, these news are only relevant to the parties that the news are concerned about. The interest of the reporter also defines news as the reporter is the first person to be present while the news is being made. So the value of the reporter is very much needed and respected (Simon, 2000, p. 23). The view of the editor is also very important while making news because the events have to be approved by the directors in order to make the news public. This may create true or false news, which can be reported to the public if the editor has no knowledge about the occurrence of the event (Aeron, 2000, p. 290). An editor plays an important role about the news that is being reported to the public. Secrecy is also maintained as much information is hidden from the public as it might create outrage. These types of news are of great importance as the nationalized security or world security facts may leak out to other countries (Federation of American Scientists, 2016, p. 1). In such typical situations, there is a conflict of interest and the dealings with the public are made open so that there is no confusion (Van Hout and Jacobs, 2008, p.70). The news that deals with factual evidences is known as hard news. Whenever this type of news happens, people get to know about it even if there is some other news that the channel is showing. This news has a limited time and is perished quickly when there is another hard news (Leigh, 2009, p. 1). They include event such as fatal accidents, natural disasters and even fire. The aim of the news needs to be fair, credible and to achieve a certain objective. Reference List Aeron, D., 2000a. Public relations, business news and the reproduction of corporate elite power. Journalism, 1, p. 282-304. Barker, A., 2016. The Life of Bhumibol Adulyadej: Thailand's revered king leaves a politically uncertain nation in his wake. 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