Reread this snippet from an article found in this lesson reporting on a protest on climate change.

Question

They swarmed into the streets by the thousands, waving their crudely drawn signs. They chanted and shouted. They blocked vital bridges and access to downtown businesses. Like zombies in a horror movie, these mindless, out-of-control mobs took over city streets around the world on Friday.

The worst part? Most of these thugs were children. They should have been in school. Apparently, their parents were missing in action—or worse, they were actively aiding and abetting the students' truancy. Incredibly, so were some schoolteachers!

Explain the elements found in this excerpt that help identify it as an example of sensational journalism.

Answer 1

This excerpt exemplifies sensational journalism through several key elements:

1. Dramatic Language: The use of descriptive and emotive language, such as "swarmed," "zombies," "mindless," and "thugs," evokes strong emotions and creates a vivid, alarming image of the protestors. This choice of words aims to provoke a visceral reaction from the reader.

2. Exaggeration: The portrayal of protestors as "mindless, out-of-control mobs" suggests a loss of control and irrationality that is exaggerated compared to the more nuanced reality of organized protests. This hyperbolic framing serves to sensationalize the incident, painting the protestors in a negative light.

3. Demonization: Referring to children as "thugs" and suggesting that they should be in school while their parents and teachers are "missing in action" or "aiding and abetting" their truancy demonizes not only the protestors but also their guardians and educators. This moral framing adds to the sensational tone.

4. Hyperbolic Imagery: The comparison of protestors to "zombies in a horror movie" evokes a frightening image, suggesting mindlessness and danger. Such strong imagery is designed to elicit fear and concern from the audience.

5. Lack of Context: The excerpt lacks context about the reasons behind the protest, which diminishes understanding and instead focuses on the sensationalized notion of chaos and wrongdoing. This omission is a common tactic in sensational journalism to provoke outrage rather than informed discussion.

6. Bias: The tone of the excerpt clearly conveys a bias against the protestors, positioning them as misguided and problematic rather than as engaged citizens expressing valid concerns about climate change. Sensational journalism often reflects a polarizing perspective that lacks balanced reporting.

These elements combined create a sensationalized narrative that seeks to attract attention and provoke strong emotional reactions rather than providing a comprehensive and balanced account of the events described.