Television news can be a very important source of information. However, one must view this news objectively and with an open mind. In the article “The Bias of Language, The Bias of Pictures,” the authors Neil Postman and Steve Powers point out how stationary pictures, moving pictures, and language communicate differently to the viewer. In regards to stationary pictures, the authors point out that these pictures can “speak only in particularities,” and that they are only “a particular fragment of the here-and-now” (Postman, & Powers, 2008, p. 485). Moving pictures can tell more of the story. They use the example of an aircraft carrier and how with a moving picture “There is a certain drama in watching the planes come in at high speeds and skid to a stop on the deck” (Postman, & Powers, 2008, p. 486). When it comes to language, words used can be ambiguous and can describe, evaluate, or infer. The authors explain that language is full of emotions and that when people speak “the talk almost always includes a feeling, an attitude, a judgment” (Postman, & Powers, 2008, p. 484). Their description of language, stationary pictures, and moving pictures leads to the point of the essay. According to Postman and Powers, in television news the stories and the building of the newscast is done so to gain viewers and increase ratings as opposed to conveying detailed and thorough reports. The viewer should be prepared and should beware of the news stories that they are being shown. Not everything seen and heard on television news broadcasts tells the entire, accurate story.
Reference:
Postman, N., & Powers, S. (2008) The bias of language, the bias of pictures. In L. Gray-Rosendale
(Ed.),Pop perspectives readings to critique contemporary culture (pp.482-489). New York: McGraw-Hill
