rthy stories emphasise the dramatics, the unusualness and the shocking while placing less emphasis on the facts. (Goldsmith, A., Israel, M and Daly, K., 2003, p. 40) Journalists investigate and report these stories because they are entertaining and sensational and are the stories that grab the public's attention. (Burgh, H. 2002, p. 216)
Media news and views will differ according to their medium; for example, some television stations operate with the main goal of informing the public and have a more factual basis; such as the privately owned government funded ABC. In contrast, the commercial broadcasting stations primarily focus on securing ratings. Commercial stations are often subjected to 'Yellow Journalism' which refers to a sensationalised, manufactured piece of news, based solely on improving their viewing audience. These stations also use the worst case scenario to make a generalization without investigating all the circumstances of a news story. (Campbell, J. 2001, p. 109)
Current event programs and other news programs are selective, distorted and over-exaggerate most of their stories in a blatant attempt to attract and maintain a large audience. (Goldsmith, A., Is
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