Example Of Essay On Reporting On Media Effects

In June 2007 a study on media effects was initiated by author Steven Livingston. The study entitled Clarifying the CNN Effect: An Examination of Media Effects according to Type of Military Intervention was geared towards trying to understand what the effects of media presentation through the CNN reports particularly handling the conduct of the US diplomacy and foreign policy. In the study the author focused on three key elements identified as CNN effects. Specifically these were identified as follows: 1) a policy agenda-setting agent, 2) an impediment to the achievement of desired policy goals, and 3) an accelerant to policy decision-making (Livingston 2).
The study tried to evaluate the reaction of the audience as with regards to their sentiments, as well as their views and opinions of how CNN have delivered the news relating to military interventions. The objective of the study as expressed by the author is to establish how the different types and levels of sesitivity relating to foreign policy objectives narrated through broadcast media like the CNN significantly impact the various types of media. A qualitative study has been initiated through extensive research and review of media presentations.

Source: (Livingston, Clarifying the CNN Effect: An Examination of Media Effects according to Type of Military Intervention)

In the study, the author deliberated on how the different socio-political issues of military nature like the coverage of Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Liberia among others have created an impression among viewers in regards to the three effects. The author concluded that the the level of interest that people have in relation to the policy significantly varies. It is affected by several different factors particularly relating to objectives of the policy, the requirement needed to pursue the operation and the cost that is presented to keep and maintain the situation. Therefore, it was concluded by the author that media effect is largely groomed by the forces that is of great significant to them and not so much on how mass media tries to sensationalize the news.

Works Cited

Livingston, Steven. Genocide Watch: Clarifying the CNN Effect: An Examination of Media Effects according to Type of Military Intervention. 6 February 2006. Web. 21 March 2015.