there’s a lot of overlap in techniques- having voters appear and testify shows likability and social proof, while citing policy and other officials demonstrates authority. Overall, it’s been interesting to analyze these unique overlaps! #UWJ201 #301

After learning about the principles of persuasion this week, I’ve become more aware of how they are applied in the media I consume. I’ve specifically noticed how they can be applied in political campaigns- it’s interesting to think that toothpaste and a president can be advertised the same way, but

I think that good product development is reliant on good PR, as part of good PR is understanding your audience’s wants and needs, which should also be applied when developing a product! I think both concepts need each other to be fully successful. #UWJ201 #301

resistant to mis/disinformation, which could be connected to certain elements of persuasion in media. (2/2) #UWJ201 #301

I’m not sure that there is a specific group that’s less likely to succumb to persuasion tactics, as tactics vary across groups. However, we’ve learned that democrats are less likely to fall into filter bubbles and are more likely to be higher-educated, which suggests higher education = more (1/2)

*HUGE* WIN FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES! Wisconsin voters said NO to extremist Brad Schimel, who Elon Musk spent millions campaigning for. Wisconsinites proved that their courts can’t be bought, and they elected Judge Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court!

Personally, I found this week’s article on centrist bias to be very interesting, especially in light of current concerns over censorship. I think we’ll see an increase in very blatant center or center-right bias the more the White House continues to make clear its stance on journalism. #UWJ201 #301

I think it’s absolutely a journalist’s duty to alert their audience to biases, as audiences will often forward/spread the information shared by the journalist and thus have a right to know if what they are sharing is deliberately skewed or lacking certain perspectives. #UWJ201 #301

Personally, I rely a lot on background research/fact checking. If a fact in an article seems too good/bad to be true, I’ll google it. And, if I can, I like to read author bios before opening an article, especially one that is clearly opinion-based but doesn’t say which side/purpose. #UWJ201 #301

This week’s article on how a tendency to strive for better can influence us is especially relevant in the modern world, where we are constantly exposed to stress and to other, “better” lives. This served as a reminder to me to focus on what MY “good life” can be, irrespective of others. #UWJ201 #301

This is a great reflection on this week’s content! I think it’s especially relevant in times of higher stress, such as midterms like the ones we have coming up in this class. For me, reminding myself that my wellbeing is central to my life can help with this stress. #UWJ201 #301

I definitely think the rise of social media influencers impacts this question. When we are joe surrounded by others who seem to constantly be doing better than us, I think it’s important to strike a careful balance between striving for that good life and accepting your reality. #UWJ201 #301

This week’s article on the impacts of social media on American news understanding and retention was interesting to me as I feel it highlights the issues with digital news coverage as a whole. Considering the focus on made up news, I wonder the electoral impact of this phenomenon. #UWJ201 #301

I think media focusing on the more negative occurrences within protest movements absolutely shapes public opinion in a very negative way. while it’s important to cover these instances, they should be covered proportionate to their role within the movement rather than made a focus. #UWJ201 #301

I think the rise in digital platforms has made news more accessible but lessens its quality. So, the public has the ability to know more but what they do know is less accurate. #UWJ201 #301

This week’s topic of Mean World Syndrome reminded me of the rise in negative rhetoric with Trump’s 2024 campaign. Much of his messaging preyed upon a belief, specifically among older people, that the world is becoming more dangerous, and I definitely think this contributed to his win. #UWJ201 #301

I personally think going out of one’s way to ingest positive or more uplifting content can be a rest antidote to mean world syndrome- for example, some talk shows or news outlets include a specific good news or goof news section! #UWJ201 #301

I think there’s definitely higher anxiety amongst Gen Z, in part due to Mean World Syndrome but also due to just higher exposure to current events good and bad through social media. #UWJ201 #301

I think impact is definitely what would motivate me most. It’s amazing to think what one person’s work can influence and cause for others- I would love to be someone who could write something that had a big positive or educational impact. #UWJ201 #301

What a great question! I definitely don’t think media bias is a myth- looking back at 2024 election coverage, it’s clear that both motivation AND bias can influence the same article, sometimes severely. Motivation is just harder to pinpoint, in my opinion! #UWJ201 #301

This week our discussion focused on framing and ethics, especially related to journalistic motivation.

I came to the conclusion that critical consumption of journalism is a necessity, as many forces are at play in a single article. Read carefully!
#UWJ201 #301

Today’s lecturer address journalistic standards, including checks on pure profit maximization. Having learned about media monopolies in last week’s reading, I can’t help to think that the megaownership of mass media has deteriorated this journalistic standard. #UWJ201 #301

In my view, ad agencies have added social media positions as a response to the digital age. This can be seen in the migration to TikTok and the increase in company participation in social media trends, which suggests a position focused on youth and social media engagement. #UWJ201 #301

I think a great example of this is clickbait-y or urgent headlines on important issues- many news sources will include very alarming or eye-catching headlines for alarm articles to increase engagement, and these headlines can be interpreted as “entertainment” with an informational goal #UWJ201 #301

Because the needle doesn’t use numbers on its actual graphic, I typically just see it as a win-lose
symbolizer, especially since it’s evenly split between party
colors every year rather than utilizing any year to year polling data or predictive information.

Personally I think the way the needle uses red/blue and very “game”-esque stylizing without actually showing vote numbers makes it more like horse-race reporting than predicting genuine election numbers using clear numerical data as AP does!

I found today’s address of horse-race and game reporting to be really interesting, especially as it relates to national politics. One of the biggest applications of this concept I can think of is the NYT Needle as it appears on national election nights! #uwj201 #301

In my opinion, even as it may minorly damage their reputation, it gets them clicks/subscribers/purchases, especially from those unconcerned or unaware of reputation changes. Therefore, it’s making them money, so they see no reason to stop. #uwj201 #301

I absolutely think so! When you are surrounded by perpetuated misinformation and those closest to you also ingest or disseminate it, there’s no motivation to change and correct it, especially when it supports your already-held opinions and convictions. #uwj201 #301

I think the removal of fact-checking on platforms like Meta will increase party-aligned misinformation given social media’s power to rapidly disseminate content. This misinformation will then create more political polarization as different groups find themselves differently educated. #UWJ201 #301