In the last blog of this semester, I want to talk about another bias summarized by W. Lance Bennett-dramatization. In his article illustrating four information biases, dramatization bias indicates that journalists may be focused more on stories featuring crisis or tragedy. They tend to produce fewer stories analyzing serious social issues such as climate change and hunger. This can result from the journalists’ perception that those stories are not dramatic enough to attract readers’ attention.
Dramatization bias can lead to negative consequences. For instance, when a serious crisis such as a gunshot occurs at some point, journalists may pay attention to the inequality rooted in the society in their stories at that period. However, the reporters may soon lose interest in digging deep into the inequality problem after several weeks and go to cover other breaking news, leaving the origin of this significant social issue neglected.
From my perspective, I think lots of pandemic-related stories can demonstrate the problem. There are issues such as child care or homelessness that already existed before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. However, many reporters did not realize the importance of covering such stories until the pandemic worsens the problem.
According to the article from the Center For American Progress, the lack of child care providers has already been a serious problem before the pandemic, especially in the rural area. “Areas with limited or no access to quality childcare” can be viewed as child care deserts.
Even in Missouri, child care resources are not adequate. According to the 2019 annual report from Cradle to Career Alliance, two-thirds of Boone County communities were defined as child care desert.
I interviewed Crystal Kroner, Executive Director of Cradle to Career Alliance during this summer. She said the child care issue is a long-standing problem, and pandemic gives a chance for people to ponder and reflect more on this issue. However, we do not see enough in-depth reporting about child care problems only when pandemic exacerbates the problem. Therefore, reporters not only need to cover breaking news, but they also need to focus on the long-term issue and avoid dramatization bias.
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