Final answer:
News editors and reporters greatly influence public perception through their decisions on event coverage and presentation, affecting what is deemed important by the public. This influences voter behavior and shapes societal understanding of key issues, while also potentially leading to a more polarized news consumption as traditional newspapers decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decisions made by news editors and reporters in broadcast and print media about which events to cover and how to cover them significantly influence the public's perception of the importance of those events. As they shape the narratives about local, national, and international events, these media professionals directly impact what the public views as vital issues. Moreover, the framing of news stories often highlights the actions of political and economic leaders and accentuates market fluctuations over the concerns of labor or the environment, reflecting a market-centered rather than a people-centered approach. Additionally, the coverage of political campaigns has become more about the spectacle and strategy rather than substantive issues, with journalists often engaging in 'pack journalism' rather than independent investigation.Media salience dictates what citizens believe to be critical, known as salience, which plays a role in voter and citizen behavior. News coverage is dominated by government elites, particularly on issues of foreign policy and the economy. Furthermore, political websites and bloggers, while reactive, often do not have the resources to offer as extensive coverage as traditional news media. The decline of newspapers and the rise of fractured news sources lead to a more polarized uptake of news, as individuals gravitate towards platforms that confirm their beliefs, raising concerns about the balance and diversity of views presented.To understand the effects and mechanisms behind media influence, we must acknowledge the news media's pivotal role as a powerful entity that helps shape not only public knowledge but also the collective perception of what matters in society.