Expectancy Violations Theory
The $300 Million Dollar Frame
03/11/03
Comm. 130
Michael Stohl
The American public’s acquisition of knowledge concerning current events is reliant on the media. The media as an entity can be described as “organizations of communication that take different forms, such as broadcasting and print, and create and transmit a vast array of content.”1 The people’s dependence on the media is anchored by their, often unquestioned, belief in the trustworthiness of presented information. American culture carries certain expectations with regards to the role of the media in society. We have the notion that the media should function as a form of watchdog, observer and signal carrier in the checks and balances system of our government.2 By that token, we also believe that the information relayed to us as the general public will be critical, illuminating and have been thoroughly documented. Unfortunately, recent trends in new media forms are increasingly divergent from these expectations. Anticipating the media to adhere strictly to these expectations, however, may be a lofty ideal. Lippmann draws this conclusion; “They cannot tell the truth objectively because the truth is subjective and entails more probing and explanation than the hectic pace of news production allows.”3 Stories told to the public by the media must be placed within a frame. A story’s frame consists of “the attributes of the issue that provide the mental image through which people interpret the events.”4
Framing will, by its definition, create a bias in the presented information. Those who write a news-story must choose to include a finite set of information from a seemingly infinite collection. This information is limited by factors including, but not restricted to, physical space allocated for the article, consumer interest and demand on the topic, necessity for context, and the use of practical, relevant and trustworthy
03/11/03
Comm. 130
Michael Stohl
The American public’s acquisition of knowledge concerning current events is reliant on the media. The media as an entity can be described as “organizations of communication that take different forms, such as broadcasting and print, and create and transmit a vast array of content.”1 The people’s dependence on the media is anchored by their, often unquestioned, belief in the trustworthiness of presented information. American culture carries certain expectations with regards to the role of the media in society. We have the notion that the media should function as a form of watchdog, observer and signal carrier in the checks and balances system of our government.2 By that token, we also believe that the information relayed to us as the general public will be critical, illuminating and have been thoroughly documented. Unfortunately, recent trends in new media forms are increasingly divergent from these expectations. Anticipating the media to adhere strictly to these expectations, however, may be a lofty ideal. Lippmann draws this conclusion; “They cannot tell the truth objectively because the truth is subjective and entails more probing and explanation than the hectic pace of news production allows.”3 Stories told to the public by the media must be placed within a frame. A story’s frame consists of “the attributes of the issue that provide the mental image through which people interpret the events.”4
Framing will, by its definition, create a bias in the presented information. Those who write a news-story must choose to include a finite set of information from a seemingly infinite collection. This information is limited by factors including, but not restricted to, physical space allocated for the article, consumer interest and demand on the topic, necessity for context, and the use of practical, relevant and trustworthy
Bibliography: Encyclopedia Britanica. Comprehensive Print Set, Chicago, Illinois, 2001. Graber, Doris A. Media Power in Politics. CQ Press, Washington D.C., 2000. Paletz, David L Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., New York, 2002. I. King, Laura. “Ignored and Isolated Arafat Survives.” Los Angeles Times 8 Feb. 2003: 3. II. “Thousands Cheer for Arafat in Gaza.” Los Angeles Times 1 Jan. 2003:A11. III. King,Laura. “Arafat Calls for Halt to Attacks.” Los Angeles Times 12 Jan. 2003:A.3. IV. Halevi, Yossi K. “Sharon’s Journey to the Center.” Los Angeles Times 24 Jan. 2003: B.17. V. Alpher, Yossi. “Traveling a One-Lane Road” Los Angeles Times 26 Jan. 2003: M.2. VI. King, Laura. “Arafat Welcomes Talks With Israelis.” Los Angeles Times 9 Feb. 2003:A.17. VII. “Hazy Mideast Peace Vision.” Los Angeles Times 28 Feb. 2003: B.16. VIII. “Arafat Reportedly Picks Top Aide As Premier.” Los Angeles Times 7 Mar. 2003:A4. IX. King, Laura. “Showdown With Iraq.” Los Angeles Times 7 Feb. 2003:A.12. X. King, Laura and Stack, Megan K. “Israel Picks Sharon for 2nd Term.” Los Angeles Times 29 Jan. 2003:A1+. II. Fatah, Hassan. “Arafat Discusses New Prime Minister Post.” The Washington Post 3 Mar. 2003. III. Laub, Karin. “Arafat Considering New Prime Minister.” The Washington Post 4 Mar. 2003. IV. Kaiser, Robert. “Bush and Sharon Nearly Identical on Mideast Policy.” The Washington Post 27 Feb. 2003. V. Moore, Molly and Anderson, John W. “Arafat Will Name a Prime Minister.” The Washington Post 14 Feb. 2003. VI. Hoagland, Jim. “A Springboard for Mideast Peace?” The Washington Post 2 Mar. 2003. VII. Moore, Molly and Anderson, John W. “Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 15 in Haifa.” The Washington Post 5 Mar. 2003. VIII IX. Barzak, Ibrahim. “Arafat Affirms He’ll Name Prime Minister.” The Washington Post 3 Mar. 2003. X. Keyser, Jason. “Israel Closes West Bank, Gaza Strip.” The Washington Post 5 Mar. 2003. II. Keinon, Herb. “Meridor Say No One Controls The PA Anymore.” The Jerusalem Post 26 Feb. 2003. III IV. Toameh, Khalid. “ Fatah Backs Arafat On Premier Post.” The Jerusalem Post 5 Mar. 2003. V. Lahoud, Lamia. “ Arafat: Israel Started Iraq War to Mask Transfer, Settlement Expansion.” The Jerusalem Post 3 Mar. 2003. VI. Lahoud, Lamia and Toameh, Khalid. “Arafat Promises To Appoint PM This Week.” The Jerusalem Post 2 Mar. 2003. VII VIII. Dan, Uri. “Sharon’s Triumph.” The Jerusalem Post 30 Jan. 2003. IX. Toameh, Khalid. “Arafat to Appoint Mahmoud Abbas PM.” The Jerusalem Post 7 Mar. 2003. X. Toameh, Khalid. “PA on Hold.” The Jerusalem Post 7 Feb. 2003.