The Dangers and Benefits of 24/7 TV News Coverage

/7 news coverage is often applauded for the nonstop reporting of ongoing events across the globe.  According to Nick Pollard, “continuous rolling news is not only here to stay but would play a major part in the future of broadcast journalism.” (Owen & Purdey, 2009, p. 119)  24/7 is able to provide real time information keeping the public informed on situations across the globe.  Since the creation of the first 24/7 news channel, viewers have enjoyed the benefits of receiving the uninterrupted coverage, but with every benefit there are bound to be numerous flaws with this type of coverage. 

            The biggest disadvantage to having continuous reporting is the constant recycled material with only minor additions or subtractions.  This could cause viewers to become dependent on the information and addicted to knowing any all changes no matter if there is truth behind the update.  Another disadvantage is the screen clutter rumoring across the screen.  This is able to keep viewers interested there can also be screen clutter rolling across the bottom of a newscast.  According to Howard Rosenberg and Charles Feldman (2008), “24-hour news channels continue to impose multitasking on their viewers in the form of screen clutter” (p. 20).  This comes after research has suggested that the human brain cannot do two things at once.  News anchors also suffer from the screen clutter seen on some 24 hours channels reduced to the upper portion of the screen.  For example, a third of the screen can be seen sometimes on the CNN channel. “News anchors will have to compete for viewer’s attention with layers of computer graphics and superficial, tabloid, factoid headlines (not the tip of the iceberg but the tip of the tip) that run continuously near the bottom of the screen.”  (Rosenberg & Feldman, 2008, p. 21) 

In truth, this can kind of 24/7 would be a disadvantage since the delivery of information may not be fast enough for the rushed viewers.  The list of disadvantages can appear endless depending on the depth of research performed.  One the most repeated disadvantage is not having enough news to cover on any given day, aside from catastrophic events, to fill 24 hours in order to correct this issue news stations promoted drama influenced news.  According to Rosenberg and Feldman (2008), “the nasty little truth about 24-hour news-whether cable TV or the Internet-is that most of it is not news.  Looks like news.  Sounds like news.  Smells like news.  But nope, it isn’t news.” (p. 52).  The push to get stories on the air as fast as they were unfolding also increased the likelihood that reporters would introduce more errors.

The main advantage for continuous coverage allows the viewers to receive information on stories any given time, but also allows the viewers to the opportunity to catch up on stories they are interested in..  David Sarno wrote, “Stories have never arrived to the world fully formed or vetted.  Journalists have generally had hours-not minutes or seconds-to craft a story from the blast wave of facts and factoids that come in the wake of a bombshell.  What people are seeing now is an old-fashioned process-reporting-as it unfolds in real time.”  (Rosenberg & Feldman, 2008, p. 5) .  The public wants information and explanations from guests who appear on the news stations, along with well-informed opinions. This can appeal to viewers who are informed of this type of promotion to keep them on the channel as they wait for new updates.  This also can be an advantage to reporters who rush to gather new information on current events.  Another advantage in having 24/7 news is it allows the public to voice their opinions on going news coverage.  Often the seen as screen clutter, viewer’s questions and opinion can appear and provide their views of ongoing events.  Another advantage is the technology to keep up with ongoing events.  “24/7 channels are fueled by advances in recording technologies and satellite communications was powerful in its ability to deliver news in real time, as human dramas unfolded any place in the world.”  (Colless, n.d)

In truth, unless there are concerns of high risk or natural disasters, 24 hour news stations will often repeat the same story every hour or 15 minutes depending on the medium.  This does not also give journalists enough time to double check their facts and can result in corrections later down the road.  For a journalist, haste can make waste and truth can be lost without ensuring the full story is given.

Reference

Colless, M. (n.d.). ABC'S 24-hour news channel too much of a stretch. Retrieved January 27, 2015, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/abcs-24-hour-news-channel-too-much-of-a-stretch/story-e6frg6zo-1225820145075?nk=b982208109267b166380b8548cb62a55

Owen, J. & Purdey, H. (Eds.). (2009). International news reporting: Frontlines and deadlines. Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rosenberg, H., & Feldman, C. (2008). No time to think: The menace of media speed and the 24-hour news cycle (pp. 4-5,12-13,20-23,52-53,118). New York: Continuum.