News coverage is the way in which newspapers, television programs and online news platforms report on events. It can include a range of topics, from breaking news to more in-depth political reporting. How journalists choose to cover a story can influence how the audience perceives it and can shape attitudes about politicians, social issues and events.
For example, during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City, the media showed graphic images of planes hitting the towers and the aftermath of the crash. Some of these scenes were repeated over and over, which may have contributed to increased anxiety among some people and even health problems years later.
Breaking news coverage is the immediate reporting of significant, often unexpected, events. It requires journalists to be on the scene and use effective live reporting techniques to provide audiences with updates. In this type of coverage, proximity and prominence are important factors, with closer events or those featuring high-profile individuals being more likely to be reported.
Social policy topics receive varying levels of attention in the news, largely depending on whether they are considered “hot” or have a high social cost. Research suggests that news coverage influences the public’s perception of these issues through two mechanisms: agenda-setting and framing. For example, when news outlets focus on individual stories about homelessness (episodic framing), this can lead to more individualistic attributions of responsibility for addressing the issue and less support for social safety net policies.