Journalists use real people’s stories to ‘humanize’ the news. But these tales – whether harrowing or heartwarming – can be misleading about the pandemic’s greatest threats.
Media reporting often unfairly stigmatises people with mental illness and promotes the stereotype that mental illness causes violent behaviour. New guidelines offer tips for more responsible reporting.
A new standard for how videos are sent through the internet and read by your computer could make the digital world more inclusive, says media scholar Jason Schmitt.
Three young women attracted backlash this week after failing to quarantine and bringing COVID-19 into Queensland. But public shaming could discourage people from following public health advice.
By publishing photos and details of two teenagers who allegedly illegally went into Queensland from Victoria, the media have stripped them of due process and encouraged vigilantism.
From personally targeting the Victorian premier to railing against the compulsory use of masks or scapegoating a minority group, News Corp’s coverage has been not just biased but dangerous.
Scandals are violent shocks to social systems, yet not all questionable behaviour produces scandal. How can we explain that some figures escape the consequences of their own behavior while others don’t?
The past month has shown just how much diversity in media matters. But there is no quick fix – sustained, multi-pronged initiatives are required to bring more diverse journalists into the industry.