Why do you think the media often focuses on bad news rather than good news?

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IELTS Speaking tip

Read widely and discuss what you've read to improve both vocabulary and conversational skills.

Vocabulary

  • media
  • focus
  • negativity
  • attention
  • audience
  • coverage
  • sensationalism
  • perception
  • statistics
  • impact
  • responsibility
  • journalism
  • reporting
  • narrative
  • engagement

Sample Answer

The media's predominant focus on negative news can be attributed to several factors, foremost among them being the psychological phenomenon known as negativity bias. Research indicates that humans are naturally predisposed to pay greater attention to adverse events, as they often pose a threat to our well-being. Consequently, the media exploits this predisposition to capture viewer engagement and boost ratings. Furthermore, negative stories frequently evoke strong emotional responses, which can lead to heightened viewer interest and, by extension, increased advertising revenues. Additionally, the 24-hour news cycle compels media outlets to prioritize sensationalism over more mundane, positive occurrences, which may not attract similar attention. Nevertheless, this disproportionate emphasis on negative news can generate a skewed perception of reality, potentially fostering an atmosphere of fear and hopelessness within society.

User Answers

  • October 9, 2024 at 04:27 AM
  • March 7, 2024 at 03:57 PM
  • February 7, 2024 at 04:28 PM