The Emotional Manipulation of News

We seek stories that stir our emotions. We crave excitement, empathy, and even fear from our novels and movies. Storytellers excel at eliciting these visceral responses, knowing that emotional engagement is key to maintaining audience attention.

However, a concerning trend has emerged: news media increasingly employing similar storytelling techniques to capture and hold our attention.

The Structure of News vs. Fiction

While fiction builds towards a climax, news stories typically start strong and taper off. This structure stems from print journalism's need to front-load important information, assuming readers may not finish the article. Despite this difference, both forms of storytelling share techniques to grab initial attention.

The Power of Moral Outrage

One particularly effective technique, used in both fiction and news, is stirring moral outrage. Will Storr, in "The Science of Storytelling," highlights how presenting unfairness or injustice immediately engages the audience. In fiction, this sets up the hero's journey to rectify the wrong. In news, it's often used in headlines to draw readers in.

For example, a recent Daily Mail headline read, "China is flooding Britain with fake stamps." The use of "flooding" and the implication of foreign interference is designed to provoke an emotional response.

The Danger of Emotional Manipulation in News

While emotional manipulation is expected and even enjoyed in entertainment, it becomes problematic in news reporting. Here's why:

1. Misrepresentation of facts: Dramaturgical devices can distort factual information.
2. Knee-jerk reactions: Heightened emotions can prevent measured, nuanced responses to complex issues.
3. Manipulation of public opinion: Agitated audiences may be swayed towards views that don't serve their best interests.

The Ideal of Neutral News

Traditionally, news aimed for neutrality, presenting situations "from all sides" with minimal ideological bias. While perfect neutrality is impossible, it remains a worthy goal.

Paradoxically, ideal news should be somewhat boring. If news consistently excites, angers, or outraged us, it may indicate a problem with its presentation.

Recognizing Manipulation

When consuming news, be wary of strong emotional responses. If you find yourself shaking your head in disbelief or feeling morally outraged, take a step back. Ask yourself:

1. Have I succumbed to a storytelling technique?
2. Is this the appropriate context for such emotional agitation?
3. Am I being given the full, balanced picture of a complex situation?

Is it Journalism or is it Storytelling?

While storytelling techniques can make news more engaging, they risk compromising its primary purpose: to inform. As consumers, we must remain vigilant, recognizing when our emotions are being manipulated. We should seek out balanced, nuanced reporting that allows for measured, well-considered responses to the complex issues of our world.

By maintaining a critical eye and emotional awareness, we can better navigate the increasingly blurred line between news and storytelling, ensuring we stay informed without being unduly swayed by emotional manipulation.