Cracking the NEWS Code

In this book, Ben H. Bagdikian and Ken Auletta offer a comprehensive analysis of the media industry. They discuss the compulsion reporters have to write, media bias, and the millennials' engagement with science. The authors also address the socialization of journalists and how this has influenced their writing.

Media bias

A new study has found that media bias has a negative impact on advertising revenues. Just one standard deviation of bias reduces advertising revenues by 33 percent. The results indicate that both readers and advertisers respond to politically biased content. This research was conducted in China where the central government closed eighty percent of county-level newspapers in 2003. The government did this as a response to complaints from poor farmers who could not afford to subscribe to local newspapers.

While the research on implicit bias is still in its early stages, there are important implications for newsrooms. These findings can lead to more accurate coverage of news, increase audience engagement, and improve the level of trust that audiences have in the media. In addition, the findings could help journalists identify and overcome unconscious bias, as well as create strategies and procedures to counteract them.

Socialization of reporters

Reporters in the modern world face a challenging set of ethical dilemmas, including how to balance the need for information and the power of the press. In a world polarized by a wide array of values and opinions, it is important for reporters to separate opinions from news coverage. They must develop a clear case for their story, identify the important issues, identify the parties involved, and consider competing values and strategies. They must also be careful to avoid violating the privacy of those they cover. Ultimately, their work is to inform readers about important issues of the day.

Influencing millennial science engagement

A new project from the National Science Foundation and KQED is examining how to increase millennial science engagement. The project involves eight three-month cycles focused on different types of engagement methods and content. KQED staff will work with the researchers on a weekly basis. Researchers are interested in how viewers view science media and what motivates them to watch it.

Researchers have found that behind-the-scenes content in digital science videos increases engagement. They also found that there are gender differences in science curiosity and engagement levels. They found that a behind-the-scenes video paired with a full episode significantly increased engagement levels for women.

Personalized news presentation

The research for this report is based on surveys and interviews with news leaders from around the world. A representative sample of 246 respondents included editors-in-chief, CEOs, and heads of digital for leading traditional media companies. The responses guided the themes and recommendations in this report. Although some direct quotes do not carry the names of the organizations quoted, the data that emerged from these surveys is the backbone of the project.