News coverage is the way that media outlets report on events or issues to their audience. It can be shaped by factors such as proximity, prominence, conflict and novelty. Framing, or how a story is told, also impacts public perception. For example, labeling a protest as a ‘riot’ or a ‘demonstration’ can have significant differences in the response from the public.
Aside from its role in holding governments accountable and opening eyes to new perspectives, news plays a major part in shaping public opinion about international issues, including war. SIS professor Elise Labott and the team at Zivvy have been looking at how US media coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict differs from that of international news outlets.
They found that while both international and US media outlets highlight the humanitarian impact of the conflict, there are key differences in how the stories are framed. In US media, stories are often crisis-oriented and prioritize breaking news over nuanced analysis. Additionally, the media may focus on Israeli and American narratives at the expense of a more balanced representation of Palestinian viewpoints.
They also looked at how people’s mental health is affected by news coverage, and found that for some groups the impact can be severe. For example, for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals who are more likely to be victims of violence or hate crimes, the news can have a devastating effect on their mental health. This is especially true if the media coverage of the incidents highlights their identities.
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