Examining Independent Selection and Production of News in the US - Research Proposal Example

? Examining factors affecting independence in the selection and production of news in the United s Table of Contents 1 Introduction 3 1.2 Background of the study 3 1.3 Rationale and purpose of the study 4 1.4 Objectives 5 1.5 Research question 5 1.6 Hypothesis 5 2 Literature review 6 2.1 The process of selection and production of news 6 2.2 Media stakeholders and their impact on selection and production of news 6 2.3 Consequences of stakeholder’s influence on the quality of news 9 3 Methodology 10 3.1 Research design 10 3.2 Sample size 11 3.3 Data collection instruments 11 3.4 Data analysis 12 3.5 Ethical considerations 12 3.6 Discussion and conclusion 13 1.1 Introduction Mass media are an indispensable component in every society, country and the globe at large. The Media play a noteworthy role in shaping and taking actions on public attitudes. Mass Media freedom is viewed as a sign of democratic and political maturity. In democratic countries, the media is allowed the freedom to propagate news without undue influence from the government and the political class. In such nations, the media are free to air and communicate any information to the general public, although they have to follow regulatory rules set by the communications commission’s in their respective jurisdictions. In dictatorial societies, the freedom of mass media is limited, and the political class manipulates what is selected and produced by the media. Such nations are viewed as politically and democratically immature. Citizens who are subjects to repressive governments receive partial information as the government determines the content of every news release. It is widely acknowledged that the news has a momentous impact on the lives of citizens. The numerous parties involved in the news making should be viewed as stakeholders, who have every sort of interests in dynamically determining what the media’s impact on people’s lives will be. 1.2 Background of the study The media are the chief fields in which struggle over symbolic power and control is played out. Although the view of the media as a field of real and emblematic power struggle remains broadly uncontested, it is worth noting that there is no agreement on how the power of the news is distributed (Hout & Jacobs, 2008). This means, there is no clear distinction on who is responsible and who dominates who since the media is so influential that it set a whole nation’s agenda. The media are also powerful in centering masses’ attention on principal issues and assuming others, as well as influencing personal behavior. The cultural selection theory on media holds that any choice of the message has a profound effect on societal members (Fog, 199). In the contemporary world, the media is operating in a free and a competitive market, and are said to have no power whatsoever. Instead, it is the consumers of news, news managers, sponsors and sources who are now setting the newsmakers’ agenda. 1.3 Rationale and purpose of the study Who should select news? When limited resources have to be allocated; and fair and realistic procedures are not readily available, who should apportion such resources becomes a pertinent concern. As a result, it is right to ask who ought to be accountable for the selection and production of news. The news may be too pertinent to leave to journalists alone. Gans (2004) asserts that journalists have always insisted on retaining the sole obligation over a nation’s selection and production news. Gans notes that journalists hold that the audience rights to know is preserved if journalists are allowed to decide on what news are worthy, and when they are detached from the political process. Nevertheless, journalists are not detached for their enduring values are also political values, which imply the backing of one type of social order. Additionally, since news have political implications, and given that journalists select the news in response to source power, they are inadvertently part of the political course. These considerations make the selection and production appear as a source of struggle (Hout & Jacobs, 2008). As such, the purpose of this research is to examine factors affecting independence in the selection and production of news. 1.4 Objectives 1.4.1 General objective To examine factors affecting independence in the selection and production of news 1.4.2 Specific objectives 1. To explore the process of selection and production of news. 2. To evaluate major stakeholders and their impact on selection and production of news. 3. To evaluate the effects of stakeholders’ influence on news quality. 1.5 Research question 1. What are the factors affecting the independence and selection of news? 2. What process does news selection and production follow 3. Who are the significant stakeholders and their roles in shaping the selection and production of news? 4. What are the consequences of stakeholder’s influence on the quality of news? 1.6 Hypothesis The present selection of news decisive factors is no longer based on objectivity and principles. The media endeavor to enhance their viewership and coverage depending on their entertainment worth. The media frame some issues in a manner that influences people’s opinion as they exploit the verity that people have a propensity of reading discerningly. Therefore, the selection and production of current news is biased. 2 Literature review The rise in the number of players in the Britain media market has in the recent past led to vicious struggles. Media houses are actively seeking attention from readers of newspapers and magazines, listeners of radio and viewers of television. As globalization and technological advancement increases, internet coverage becomes a common phenomenon. This has led to further increase in competition in the media industry because; social media sites are becoming the immediate information source. Social media platforms have intensified the battle for attention with other conventional media like television. 2.1 The process of selection and production of news The production of news passes through various steps. The first step entails sources and informants. The second step is through press agents, reporters and news agencies, followed by journalists and editors. A key concern arising is that most media are referring to other media and opinion leaders to make the complete chain of information flow fairly long. Selection and misrepresentation could take place at every linkage in this chain of information transmission. The main forces that shape the selection and production of news are the major stakeholders. 2.2 Media stakeholders and their impact on selection and production of news The process of news production is influenced by many factors both internal and external to journalism and news organization. Internal factors are such as values and norms of individual journalists, particular media practices and organizational constrictions. External factors are such as the political affiliation, ownership, extent of competition in the news market and financing. 2.2.1 Sources Sources impact production of news in that they want to present themselves in the positive manner, and may withhold compromising information. For illustration, the police form an indispensable source of information, and they influence the information that is presented in the media. Police affect the selection of news as they control the pool of stories from which the news media chose by regulating the flow of information to the news media. The police may successfully kill news or lessen their impact by not releasing information (Chibnall, 2001). Giles (2002) notes that Police also shape the information available to the news media so that news are presented in manners that promote and legitimize their organizations. Giles further notes that although police have control over their depiction by the media, many police criticize that news organizations persistently depict them in a negative light. 2.2.2 Journalists and editors Journalists and editors are internal stakeholders to the media who may have political courses and opinions that define the way they select and frame news. In addition, journalists are governed by professional and ethical principles to ensure they report on relevant issues. However, due to increases in rivalry between different media houses, editors and journalists may depart from work guiding principles and report what they think is interesting to the audience. 2.2.3 Audience The audiences are one of the outstanding stakeholders. The media largely depends on the audience for financial purposes. As such, they have to produce news that make people stick around their programs even during the commercial breaks. In order to make news worthy to the audience, the media use psychological concept of bringing sensitive stories like crime, danger and sex to gain the audience’s attention. Fog (1999) notes that media uses personal identification in conflicts as a pervasive psychological factor to attract the audience attention, viewership and readership. Vreese (2003) asserts that human interests, conflict and controversy are central news values, which are considered newsworthy for the audience. Accordingly, an event containing disagreement and conflict is likely to be covered in the news. 2.2.4 Advertisers/ sponsors Most media obtain their income through advertisements and sponsorships. As such, advertisers tend to have a grand influence on news contents. Such influence is not against journalism ethical profession, but the influence is nonetheless intricate to avoid. Sometimes the influence of advertisers is express, when advertisers inflict financial endorsements against any media that have ridiculed their products (Fog, 1999). For illustration, conversations on dangerous effects of smoking are nearly missing in newspapers that carry tobacco adverts. 2.2.5 Owners Media owners are the shareholders of the media houses and may have political affiliations that shape their decisions. Owners influence production of news in various ways. One, they may limit funds available for searching and investigating news thoroughly thus; journalists have to present news from their sources with little or no editing. Another approach in which media owners influences news selection and production is by preventing their media from being too cynical towards other corporations, which they may own. Thus, the independence of journalists in selecting and producing news is thus compromised. 2.3 Consequences of stakeholder’s influence on the quality of news Following the influence from various media stakeholders, the independence of news and its quality becomes an intricate matter. It becomes complex for the audience to assess whether news stories are a true or distorted reflection and whether significant pieces of information have been left out. 2.3.1 Economic bias Finances are a pillar in every business and the media is no difference. Economic selection may override other factors like fairness and principles. Media houses may have the same advertisers, as such; they may avoid giving negative information of advertisers (Fog, 1999). Economic impacts from advertisers and sponsors result in biased news selection and production. 2.3.2 Political effects The government, politics and the media are inseparable beings. Politicians are extremely dependent on the media. The reason is that the populace mainly base their opinions and voting decisions depending on how a politician is presented by the media (Fog, 1999). Politicians adapt their messages to the media, avoiding controversial issues to attract voters. In addition, journalists and media owners have political affiliations that play a central role in shaping the production of news. Thus, citizens may make biased political decisions due to lack of objective news. 2.3.3 Regalization As Vreese (2003) highlights, events containing conflicts are likely to be covered in the news. The media have a tendency of reporting on far away crimes while underestimating the local and dangerous crimes that are harmful to an individual. Disaster and crimes are among the favorite coverage of the media, which has a regalizing effect. The reason is that people perceive the humankind as more precarious than it is in actuality following the media emphasis on crime. Competition in the media industry has led lesser coverage of positive aspects like economic improvements, and reports on deviance, conflicts and controversy takes centre stage as such news are deemed newsworthy for the audience. 3 Methodology 3.1 Research design With many deliberations on how well one can investigate the problem at hand, the researcher finds descriptive, cross-sectional survey design will be used. This design will involve gathering data from the sample of participants who will be sampled to represent journalists and other major stakeholders in media. The study will target major media organisations. In data collection procedure, the study will utilise stratified random sampling. In a bid to obtain empirical evidence for intent of gaining insights in regard to the need to examine factors affecting independence in the selection and production of news, the study will find it indispensable to use first hand information which will be made possible through the use of questionnaires and interview. Sampling method and size It is stipulated that sampling is the process of identifying and analysing a sample representation of a larger community or issue under investigation. In light with the current study, it will be viable to utilize stratified random sampling. This will entail indentifying individuals in the media industry. 3.2 Sample size The current study will apply random sampling in selecting 50 journalists and 10 other media stakeholders. In each of the sampled group, stratified sampling will be utilised in order to come up with two strata that will have representation of male and female. 3.3 Data collection instruments In light with having a clear understanding of factors affecting independence in the selection and production of news, the study will necessitate to utilize first hand information obtained from the selected participants. 3.3.1 Questionnaire Questionnaires will be the primary instruments of gathering data from the selected participants. These instruments will be utilized in gathering information from journalists. In the bid to have an in-depth scrutiny of the phenomena at hand, two sections will be developed; the first one will be composed of closed ended questions. This section will be put in place in the effort to gather demographic information including other statistical data. The second section will be managed to seek opinions from the selected participants including additional qualitative data. 3.3.2 Interviews The researcher finds it indispensable to use interviews in the research. The instrument will be used in gathering information from major media stakeholders. The toll will entail asking questions with intent of finding responses from the selected participants so as to draw conclusions of the topic under investigation. The instrument will constitute both structured and semi structured questions. Validity and reliability In any research, it is vital to focus on issues regarding the reliability of the instruments to be used in the study (Bryman & Bell, 2003). In light with this, this study will make estimation of the reliability of the instruments by testing and retesting them. In order to achieve this, piloting of the instruments to be used in the study is paramount. On the other hand, in order to ascertain the validity of the instruments, the researcher finds it critical to seek assistance from the supervisor with the intent of assessing the relevance of the measurements of the research instruments. 3.4 Data analysis After data collection, several processes of editing, coding of similar themes classifying and tabulating the data will be undertaken. These processes are vital in the data analysis process. In this regard, descriptive and inferential analyses are the methods to be used in making inferences in the effort to determine the relationships that exists among the variables. In addition, SPSS package will be the viable package for the analysis of correlations between variables. 3.5 Ethical considerations It is crucial for any researcher to articulate on issues related to ethics in research. Therefore, the researcher will put into considerations ethical issues in order to avoid causing both physical and psychological hart to the participants. Gregory 2003 states that this can be achieved by avoiding asking of irrelevant questions. Additionally, the researcher will asking questions that could be threatening or embarrassing in nature. Before commencing on carrying out the study, the researcher will seek permission from the relevant authorities. Participants will be assured of anonymity and confidentiality of their response will also be assured. 3.6 Discussion and conclusion It is apparent that this study will have many deliberations on how mass media can communicate any information without any influence from both the government and political elite. In addition, the degree of the freedom of media will be a subject matter in relation to ascertaining how they can responsibly utilize this freedom in relying reliable and accurate information to the public. In another dimension, the findings on the process of selection and production of news will give accounts on how media can make the process effective in order to have credible information conveyed to the public. In the bid to find out the stake of stakeholders and their impact on selection and production of news, the findings will have elucidated on whether the stakeholders are viable during selection and production of the news. These conclusions will be based on the findings of the effects or influence of their engagement in the production of the news. Although this study will be of help to the government by recommending on the ways through which media can be accorded their freedom, it will be challenging in that not every detail of the findings will go down well in the minds of the individuals in the government, who want taking control of the media. Nevertheless, the findings of the study will greatly help journalists in giving them accounts of what is required of them in order to have credible and accurate news produced. References: Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2003). Business Research Methods. New York: Oxford University Press. Chibnall, S. (2001). Law-and-order News: An Analysis of Crime Reporting in the British Press. London: Routledge press. Fog, A. (1999). Cultural Selection. NY: Springer Press. Gans, H.J. (2004). Deciding What's News: A Study of CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, Newsweek, and Time. Illinois: Northwestern University Press Giles, H. (2002). Law Enforcement, Communication, and Community. Amsterdam: John Benjamin’s publishing press. Gregory, I. (2003). Ethics in research. Continuum International Publishing Group, London. Hout, T. & Jacobs, G. (2008). News production theory and practice: fieldwork notes on power, interaction and agency. International Pragmatics association 18, 1: 59-85. Vreese, C. (2003). Framing Europe: Television News and European Integration. Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis press. Read More