When examining how news spread through my social group, I have to assess the various sources (e.g. channels) in which we receive information. I’ve always believed in listening to or watching more than one news source so I can get a balance perspective of what’s being reported. Thereafter, I crosscheck the information for accuracy. This is the case even with mainstream media such as local news, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc. I do not select one over the other. However, I must say, lately I have limited watching these sources due to the current political environment and how the mass media has become so blatantly bias in their reporting. It’s not by accident that the media select what stories to cover over other stories. Actually, this process is known as priming.
Gemala2014CurrentResearchofMediaPriming
Priming in media means ignoring some issues and tending to others. “When the media prime an issue, such as an increase in the minimum wage, over another issue, such as veteran’s access to healthcare, it affects the attention the public gives to the issue and how important it seems to the audience” (Rosenberry&Vickers2017TheSociologicalPerspectiveonMassCommunicationTheory). This is the sole reason for my selecting various sources outside of mass media. You do not have to believe or support the news outlet in order listen to or watch them. I receive information from mainstream media and crosscheck with other outside sources. What I admire about my non-mainstream media sources is that we’re able to have genuine conversations where we can express our personal opinions about a story. You cannot do this with mainstream media unless you take time to contact the organization and it’s not a guarantee that you will receive a response.
If I had to provide a breakdown of how I receive news from the mass media and non-mass media sources, I would say that I receive 70% of news from non-mass media sources via social media. The other 30% comes from mass media, which is also viewed online. I rarely watch/listen to news from the radio and television. What makes it easy to validate information from (mass media and non-mass media sources) is a quick google search. Within minutes, if not seconds, you’re able to verify the accuracy of a story being reported from either source. You need diverse sources even if it’s to get an understanding of how others beside yourself think about a situation. “Traditional media outlets were no longer the sole gatekeeper for what was deemed newsworthy. Indeed, citizen journalists have shifted the balance of power and have as a group impacted the public’s agenda. At the same time, she found that traditional media still had the strongest influence” Rosenberry&Vickers2017TheSociologicalPerspectiveonMassCommunicationTheory).
Check out the video below on citizen journalists vs mass media journalists. There are some great points made as to why these individuals prefer a diverse choice of news reporting.
Harper2014CitizenJournalismvsProfessionalJournalismWhoismorereliable?
Mass Communications Theory - Education 