Monday, January 30, 2023

ELEMENTS OF MASS COMMUNICATION: GATEKEEPING

 



Why do we only see certain types of news? Who controls the information that we got? In today’s blog, we will dive deep into the world of gatekeeping and what difference it makes to us as the general public. 

Gatekeeping in mass communication refers to the process of selecting, editing, and controlling the flow of information that is transmitted to the public through mass media. It is the process by which media gatekeepers, such as editors, producers, and journalists, determine what information is worthy of attention and what will be transmitted to the public.

Here are some examples of gatekeeping in mass communication:

News Selection: News gatekeepers, such as editors and journalists, determine which news stories are worthy of attention and which will be covered and transmitted to the public. This process can involve evaluating the relevance, importance, and credibility of news sources and stories, as well as determining which stories are likely to generate the most interest among audiences.

Content Editing: Media gatekeepers, such as producers and editors, determine what content will be included or excluded from a particular program or publication. This process can involve evaluating the accuracy, relevance, and impact of content, as well as considering legal, ethical, and cultural considerations that may affect the transmission of certain messages.

Censorship: Government and other organizations can also exercise control over mass communication through censorship, by restricting the flow of certain types of information or content. This can involve suppressing information that is deemed sensitive, controversial, or harmful to national security, public order, or other interests.

In other words, anyone who has knowledge of the events and chooses to share it with another individual or group (Shoemaker et al., 2017) are called gatekeepers. 

Gatekeeping plays a crucial role in shaping the nature and content of the messages that are transmitted to the public through mass media. By determining what information is worthy of attention, gatekeepers can influence public opinion and shape public perceptions of important issues and events.

Gatekeeping is an essential component of mass communication, and the role of gatekeepers is to ensure that the information that is transmitted to the public is accurate, relevant, and worthy of attention. The gatekeeping process can also have important implications for public opinion and the shaping of public perceptions, making it a crucial aspect of mass communication. While the goal of gatekeeping is to provide the public with accurate and relevant information, it is important to ensure that the process is transparent and unbiased, and that it does not compromise the freedom of expression or the right to access information.


Reference:

Collected from many resources and self rephrased.


Written by:

Shahd Ehab El Sayed Abdelalim Nossir

1221103256

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