News coverage refers to the way in which information is reported, framed and presented in newspapers, tv shows or online news platforms. The way in which news is covered may impact how audiences interpret and understand what is happening, influencing the public’s perception of events.
The study of news coverage includes a range of topics including the way in which journalists depict various social issues, the role of gatekeeping in the selection of stories and how media can influence people’s political preferences. Some studies examine the relationship between different types of news coverage and their impact on the public, while others focus on specific groups (e.g., students) or the effects of varying news slants on audience preferences.
During a breaking news event, journalists must verify facts quickly while also ensuring they are sharing accurate information in real-time. This process can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety for reporters. Some research has also highlighted the potential for misinformation to spread during a breaking news event.
In the area of inequality, researchers have found that different types of news outlets tend to frame these problems in a episodic and individualistic manner or in more systemic ways rooted in history, power and social structures. For example, some authors have observed that tv shows and local papers more often discuss social safety net programs as solutions to individual problems rather than as means of eliminating underlying structural causes. Meanwhile, ethnic papers have been more likely to identify the systemic nature of poverty and incorporate these perspectives into their coverage.