Envisioning Television
Watching the morning and/or evening news has become almost routine in the daily lives of most Americans. With 38% of Americans watching cable news, and 34% watching network news daily (http://people-press.org), how is it possible that TV news has imbedded itself into the busy schedule of the American citizen? Broadcasting stations have successfully attracted loyal viewers who consume information spewed out by reporters. In order to gain the viewer’s attention, news stations compete by trying to appeal to the target audience more so than the other station. According to T.V. networks, “the task of television news programming is to inform citizens, entertain viewers, and advertise to consumers, all at the same time” (George, Trimbur 10). Although some stations fail to maintain objective reporting, these universal goals are achieved through what makes them appealing. By using one’s ethos, logos, and pathos, networks appeal to one’s need for safety, achievement, and satisfied curiosity. Clever networks create useful updates that appeals to us subconsciously.
Humans need to feel safe, and will do what they have to keep themselves and their families away from harm (Fowles 285). TV news serves as an informative, giving up-to-date reports on possible threats to the public, from floods to fires. And what better way to know if another country has declared war with the US than flipping on the news? By utilizing our fear as an attention-getter, televised news taps into our oh-so-influential pathos. This information may be included in either hard news, which “tends to focus on serious issues with real consequences” (George, Trimbur 11) or breaking news if the threat is current. In order to gain the largest audience possible, broadcast stations televise pathos-rich reports because…who doesn’t have emotions? To many Americans who are unsure about their safety (or that of their families), televised news reports comfort their need to feel safe, and...