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Mass media impact on spatial perception

Mass media influences spatial perception through journalistic cartography and spatial bias in news coverage.

Role of journalism

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Journalism plays a crucial role in providing the general public with information about places and geography.[1] Mass media, which includes television, newspapers, magazines, and radio, significantly shapes perceptions of locations.[2][3] However, mass media has been criticized for its limited iconography, which constructs generic locations that offer a restricted and distorted worldview.[4] The lack of geographical balance in news coverage may limit spatial knowledge, with US media often focusing on a narrow range of nations and regions for international news.[5]

Geographic components

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When news has an important geographic component, journalism concerns itself with the location of the information.[6] Maps are an efficient means of showing location and describing geographic relationships.[7] Mass media may use maps to illustrate spatially distributed data, such as election results, acid rain distribution, radon contamination, weather forecasts, traffic, or travel routes. Maps can also depict stories about battles, geopolitical strategies, or environmental threats.[6] Critics argue that journalistic cartography suffers from deficiencies and constraints due to the lack of formal cartographic training among graphic artists who produce these maps.[8][9]

Spatial bias

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Geographers have explored spatial bias in news reporting.[10][11] The spatial pattern of news is influenced by journalistic norms, such as national coverage, national interest, geographic stereotypes, and accessibility to news events.[12] Live reporting requires spatial proximity, event proximity, and broadcast proximity.[13] Capitals, major financial centres, and politically unstable places are often geographically stereotyped and considered newsworthy. Economic ties and social distance also play significant roles in news coverage.[2][12][14][15][16]

References

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  1. ^ Monmonier, M., (1989). Maps with the news. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, p. 1.
  2. ^ a b Lewis, L., Degani, A., Hudson., (1980). The measurement and explanation of the spatial perception of Africa: a Nigerian viewpoint. Geografiska Annaler, 62B, 33-38.
  3. ^ Gribok, M. V., (2008). Cartographic representation of mass media influence on the formation of the image of Russian regions. Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta, 5 (4), 41-46.
  4. ^ Huxford, J., (2007). The proximity paradox: Live reporting, virtual proximity and the concept of place in the news. Journalism. 8, p. 670.
  5. ^ Golan, G., & Wanta, W., (2003). International elections on the U.S. network news: An examination of factors affecting newsworthiness. Gazette. 65, 25-39.
  6. ^ a b Monmonier, M., (1989). Maps with the news. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
  7. ^ Monmonier, M., (1989). Maps with the news. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, p. 1.
  8. ^ Gilmartin, P., (1985). The design of journalistic maps: purposes, parameters, and prospects. Cartographica: The International Journal for Geographic Information and Geovisualization, 22, 1-18.
  9. ^ Green, D. R., (1999). Journalistic cartography: good or bad? A debate point. The Cartographic Journal, 36, 141-153.
  10. ^ Hoare, A., (1991). Making the news: spatial and non-spatial biases in British parliamentary reports of the Rowntree-Mackintosh takeover. Geografiska Annaler, 73B, 95-109.
  11. ^ Walmsley, D. J., (1980). Spatial bias in Australian news reporting. Australian Geographer, 14, 342-349.
  12. ^ a b Brooker-Gross, S., (1983). Spatial aspects of newsworthiness. Geografiska Annaler, 65B, 1-9.
  13. ^ Huxford, J., (2007). The proximity paradox: Live reporting, virtual proximity and the concept of place in the news. Journalism. 8, 657-674.
  14. ^ Bendix, J., & Liebler, C. M., (1999). Place, distance, and environmental news: geographic variation in newspaper coverage of the spotted owl conflict. Annals of the Association of American geographers, 89(4), 658-676.
  15. ^ Tichenor, P.J., Donohue, G.A., Olien, C.N. (1980). Community conflict and the press. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
  16. ^ Dunwoody, S., & Griffin, R.J. (1993). Journalistic strategies for reporting long-term environmental issues: a case study of three superfund sites. In A. Hansen (Ed.), The mass media and environmental issues, (pp. 22-50). Leicester, England: Leicester University Press.
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