The Increase of How Mass Media Coverage Manipulates Our Minds

Overview

In today’s technological, virtual, and global world, people have access to 24/7 media news coverage. This news coverage has changed over the decades from reporting news to newscast personnel giving their opinions and commentaries based on their political views and personal agendas (i.e., appearing to know or not), to include the advertising from sponsors (Hopmann & Stromback, 2010). This different focus of the media news programming has become more of a business with pundits and so-called strategists who evoke stress on the viewers. Constant exposure to negative news coverage influences viewers’ mental health, to include stress (Gregoire, 2015; Hamilton, 2014; Yeager, 2013). Gregoire (2015) stated, “The news can be violent, depressing, and emotionally-charged” (para. 1). As a result, this book chapter is based on media and the psychological effects (e.g., stress/ PTSD) it has on individuals. The chapter will begin with a theoretical framework, which will comprise of various theories and theorists, such as (a) Mass society theory, (b) Marxist media theory, (c) Functionalist theory, (d) Social constructionism, and (e) other aligning theories. The chapter will then unfold to a synthesis, which will discuss the types of media and the effects it has on individuals. Furthermore, it will illustrate the content of international news presented by media, such as war and natural disasters, politics, religion, and other issues for debate. Points are discussed in detail in regards to how it results in viewers suffering from stress, to the point of suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.