Print and Broadcast Media Analysis

Print and Broadcast Media Analysis

Introduction

Media plays a significant role in society today. The modes of media available today convey information to a large group of people. Media coverage, for instance, print media, broadcasting, and social media, are essential to the daily lives of the vast majority as it keeps people informed on the current trends. Nonetheless, social media provides a platform for information accessible through the internet. Whereas, radio and TVs as a broadcasting medium of addressing the public creates an understanding of the current happenings. Radio as an audio medium covers a wide range to the remote area in rural settings and provides a platform for imagination. Print media is the oldest form of communication that is printed on books, magazines, and newspapers. Over time, mass media has played an outstanding role in building and modeling public opinion, thus strengthening society.

Summary.

Time colonist.

March 3rd, 2020, Time-colonist covered a story on a teenager who impressed the judges at an American Idol show with her incredible singing talent. On an audition aired on ABC show, it is said to have been recorded earlier, and it earned the secondary school student a golden ticket to American Idol’s Hollywood week in Los Angeles, which was scheduled to air at a later date (Mike Devlin, 2020). Notably, the 16-year-old sang a song “what about us” by Pink that mesmerized the judges present who included Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan (Mike Devlin, 2020). Consequently, the judges gave encouraging feedback to Spencer-Smith, who had kept the audition as a secret to her friends and family members until the airing. The broadcast offered her relief, though; it comes with a lot of responsibilities and pressure from the media as she departed to Hollywood Week.

The first page of the newspaper provides new legislation that bans the provincial government from obtaining revenue from an Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC). Rob Shaw states that the insurance company is in a financial crisis, and the government should free the corporation from collecting optional revenue to enable the ICBC to reinvest the accumulated finances and lower the rates in the future (Rob Shaw, 2020). Also, the paper expresses a strong view from a politician John Horgan on a pipeline project that is said to benefit the residents of British Colombia. John Horgan opposes an agreement over Aboriginal rights and title between the province, federal government, and Wet’suwet’ en First Nation (Rob Shaw, 2020). He continues to state that all parties should take the opportunity and discuss the underlying matter on the Coastal GasLink project. With the division of the communities in Wet’suwet’ en where one community is supporting the jobs and the training opportunities that the project would bring and on the other side, the concern is in the environmental effects. Still, the leader to the first nation-states that the Coastal GasLink Project is where they agree to disagree.

The second page of the paper gives reports on COVID-19 death cases in Washington State. The State and King County officials announce that they will focus on the outbreaks as people have mild symptoms of the virus (Nina Shapiro & Syndey Brownstone, 2020). Additionally, the official states that they will give the best advice to the community on how to prevent novel coronavirus disease. The paper reports more developments around coronavirus since the first death from the virus, for instance; the King County announces the intentions to buy a motel in the wake of coronavirus and put up units meant to shelter homeless people in their recovery process, also they give recommendations to the closure of schools and public gathering instead of advising people on high hygiene measures, avoidance of face touching. The elderly and those with health conditions to stay at home (Nina Shapiro & Syndey Brownstone, 2020). Finally, the official advises the people on gathering the essentials and not to include face masks as they should leave them to the medical practitioners.

The third page covers a story of a found propeller of previously crashed Cessna planes. Jeremy Francis finds the part of the plane embedded in his grandmother’s field. Cindy E. Harnett, (2020) gives an account of a plane crashed on a blueberry patch where the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after the propeller fell off the engine. The pilot and the father walked away with minor injuries. However, the plane was 15 minutes from Victoria flying club, where it experienced a mechanical problem and crashed. The propeller is taken for further investigation in order to facilitate corrections in case something was wrong during the making of the plane to avoid future fatalities (Cindy E. Harnett, 2020). Furthermore, the paper indicates the sign of warning the owners of the same craft to take caution and make substantial repairs on their planes.

March 5th, 2020, Lindasy Kines writes a story about a proposed agenda on the speed limit of 40km/h from 50km/h in residential roads. The city mayor is requesting the council to endorse the speed limit policy. The times colony states that the policy is meant to reduce the road accident caused by irresponsible driving on municipal roads, which are defined by lack of a centered yellow line. A request has been made to Premier John Horgan to revisit the motor vehicle speed limits (Lindasy Kines, 2020). Nonetheless, the transportation minister responded that amending the act would affect all other road users. However, the government had recently changed an act to regulate the speed limit through the implementation is still in the pilot phase. In addition to that, she is willing to work with interested municipalities to regulate the speed limit on their specific streets.

Times colonist second story talks about Beecher Bay band seeking an apology to the community of Beecher Bay land. The article is written as a result of members of the Extinction Rebellion, supporting the Wet’suwet’ en hereditary chief for his opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project on the northern side of B.C (Cindy Harnett, 2020). The group protest against the approval of the project and storms the Premier John Horgan’s house and, according to him, terrorizes his wife. However, the Beech Bay band demands an apology for breaching the security by members of the Extinction Rebellion into private citizen’s home. The Extinction Rebellion groups create blocks the premier’s driveway to stop him from signing the funding for the project. In the article, John Horgan expresses gratitude to the Beecher Bay First Nation for supporting him and making statements on protocols and respect.

The papers go ahead to cover a baseball match between the Nanaimo team and HarbourCats. Also, projects the next match opponents of the next matches to be played. Matt Reznek writes about Belfry theatre and its entertainment offer for the coming few days. The paper writes about an update of a woman in a critical condition due to COVID-19. Dr. Bonnie Henry, a provincial health officer, says that the woman had taken a trip to China and India (Time colonist, 2020). The case is the 13th in British Columbia; the authority is making the best efforts to trace back those who got into contact with her. The newspaper reports the recovery rate of COVID-19 patient who remains in isolation. The people are assured by the officials the risk to the virus remains very low in the province as the rest of Canada.

The third pages cover former Victoria councilor Chris Coleman’s birthday challenge, where he asks people to be kind to one another and indicated that if a person impresses him, he will award them a trophy naming it Gudonya Cup (Jack Knox, 2020). The community takes up the challenge and helps the venerable people in society. For instance, a woman buys a one-week groceries for a single parent, another lady with a terminal disease vowed to cook and share her meal with a friend who has been helping her and another person promised to host tea for fifteen seniors who live alone. Coleman is not left behind as he offers homeless people a package of necessities and tells them he always thinks about them as he passes by oh his way to work and hopes they have a good day.

CTV News Coverage.

In the middle of the coronavirus crisis, people are panic buying products to stock up essentials in fear of government lockdowns due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Citizens are being asked to stay calm as the Canadian government is well prepared for the pandemic with both finances and resources despite the number of new infections rising (CTV News, 2020). On March 4th, 2020, Canadian companies are reviewing their working policies in order to accommodate work from home agenda as the corporation’s advice their employees against traveling to high-risk areas such as china (CTV News, 2020). CTV News reported that due to the spread of the COVID-19 in a cruise ship, the authority is doing whatever they can to repatriate Canadian citizens from the estranged Grand Princess Cruise Ship. According to the news, stores are running out of supplies due to mass buying by the vast majority of people. However, the prices of some products are souring up owing to the high demand for essential products. For instance, a bottle of sanitizer price has increased from 4.99 dollars to 80.44 dollars. Also, the public is being advised not to panic-buy essential medical products like N95 masks, gloves, and Sanitizers, and they create scarcity in healthcare facilities as they will lack protective gear essential during treatment. Nonetheless, Canadians are being asked to be vigilant with scammers who are intending to profit from the coronavirus crisis.

In efforts to curb the COVID-19 impact, the federal government is introducing policies to make emergency benefits accessible by all, especially those who not qualify. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assured all Canadians with less work advantage or have no work at all will be covered by Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) (CTV News, 2020). For those who are eligible, they shall qualify an allowance of two thousand dollars as the eligibility criteria will be purely on reasons based on COVID-19 (CTV News, 2020). The CTV news reports in British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in stable condition after being diagnosed with coronavirus. Moreover, the story informs on a demonstration in support of Wet’suwet’ en hereditary chiefs who is not in agreement with the Coastal GasLink project, which involves the building of a pipeline through the traditional territory in the northern British Columbia (CTV News, 2020). The protests included the blockade in major train tracts; therefore, Canadians feel that the government is responding slowly to the situation. Due to this, the government reaches into an agreement regarding land and title rights.

Time colonist Social media Platform.

Time colonist Facebook platform reports on coronavirus updates from March 3rd to 9th 2020, the week’s COVID-19 reports begin with the provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry statement assuring the general public that British Columbia is closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus as there is no widespread of the virus in Washington State which is more affected (Douglass K. Daniel And Alan Fram, 2020). The Health officer announces several measures to curb the spreading of the virus. The B.C leaders also pledge support to the neighboring regions. A story on the rise cases of the virus in the US is posted on 4th 2020. The cases are spread across the US state, but more deaths cases are reported to occur at Washington State (The Canadian Press, 2020). Apparently, a nursing home for the elderly in the US is the most affected. More funds are set aside in response to the outbreak as more people have died in Asia as a result of COVID-19 (The Canadian Press, 2020). The story of an outbreak of the virus in a cruise ship leads Canadian officials to advise against traveling on a cruise ship to reduce the risk of getting infected (The Canadian Press, 2020). Also, Canadians are advised against traveling the most affected countries in Europe and Asia. To minimize the risk of contracting the disease, Canadians are encouraged to try any means possible and avoid high-risk areas.

A Facebook post on March 7th, 2020, informed on passing of a prominent art supporter and a Victoria philanthropist Eric Chapman on a Friday. He was known for his noble acts, such as holding charity events and raising millions of dollars for local organizations in support of art (Louise Dickson, 2020). Charman relates his passion for arts and music with his personal experiences as a child as he grew up in a series of orphanages where music was the only comfort in his life (Louise Dickson, 2020). His demise was caused by a series of health problems after the passing of his wife. Additionally, the paper talks of his relationship with Prince Edward as he offers a piece of advice to the prince during the commonwealth games on how to fundraise for arts and the opera (Louise Dickson, 2020). The story gives an insight into the Chairman’s life as a kind man and his family. It also states his achievements, which include; receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria in 1998, the Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the performing arts, and the queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2003 (Louise Dickson, 2020). Eric Charman is praised for his generosity for chairing charitable organizations and helping raise funds in support of arts.

March 9th, 2020, post stipulated a liberal government bill poised to end an outlaw therapy meant to change individual gender identity. The Liberals named the conversion therapy as a discriminative practice whose intentions is to target the vulnerable Canadians (The Canadian Press, 2020). On the other hand, another report informed on the issue of fish disappearance downstream from the coal mine. A survey conducted proved a less number of fish occupied the Elk River due to water contamination by the effluent released from the coal mines (Bob Weber, 2020). The same situation is happening downstream Fording River that is immediate from one of the coal mines. The mines are said to have been leasing a chemical called selenium, which is detrimental to both humans and animals (Bob Weber, 2020). After several tests, it was concluded that a high amount of Selenium was already in the river, which is causing the death of rare fish species (Bob Weber, 2020). The existence of coal mine in the area has resulted in the degradation of the environment to the wild animals and humans.

Analysis Findings.

All three media outlets have almost the same trend when it comes to news coverage. The three of the reports on the current happenings, for instance, the novel coronavirus that has been spreading from China and Europe. The media is observed warning the people against the virus and the precaution they should take to prevent themselves from being infected by the virus. Political stories are well covered in all the platforms. However, they are well explained in the newspaper even though on television, there is an opportunity to lively interview an official on the trending political matter. However, all the media outlets are seeing as a medium for informing the general public on the crucial issues affecting the society owing to their different audience’s coverage, which makes them diverse and gives assurance on the information reaching the right group of people. Indeed, the three media of communication have the same capabilities of passing the information to the intended audience despite a little different from one another.

Although different media platforms have different audiences, there is a systematic way of reporting all the stories across various media platforms. The media outlets put across a piece of information that can be read, listened to, and observed for more fundamental understanding by its audiences. As noted, print media as the oldest form of communication, it tends to reach out to a large number of senior people and the elite. Physical newspapers tend to be cheaper and convenient in terms of accessibility as it can be physically obtained and also through the internet. Notably, the papers tend to be more detailed with the information provided as compared to other media outlets. For instance, the story on new legislation that bans the provincial government from obtaining revenue from an Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) is detailed as compared to broadcasting it on CTV television or printing it on social media. Additionally, the print also covers the Coastal GasLink Pipeline story in a much profound way with every detail of what’s currently happening as compare to it covered in CTV or any social media outlet. Similarly, print media outlets mostly include political agendas such as law passing, amendments, or the creation of new policies as senior adults are the target group audience. Consequently, this is due to the fact that elderly people tend to be more concerned with politics than young adults. Therefore, the audience, framing, and agenda-setting all depend on the target group.

Conclusion.

Television broadcasting covers so many segments of news reports in a limited period, which makes it brief and precise. In the current society, television can be accessed from anywhere, therefore, covering a wide range of people at a go. As compared to other media coverage, television is a real-time reporting of the current situation with and also targets all age groups. The agenda-setting and the framing of the news coverage on TV all depend on the importance and the weight of the news being given. On the other hand, Social media targets the young generation owing to the full range of internet usage. Young people prefer more online news as compared to newspapers. Nonetheless, all variety of information can be found on social media, though, it tends to be as precise as possible. In conclusion, television broadcast and social media have real-time news as they both have video capabilities for its viewer to gain more insight into a story as opposed to the newspaper.