News coverage is the way that media outlets report on and present events, often in relation to their accuracy, context, and impact on public perception. News coverage can play a powerful role in holding governments accountable, reaching the masses with important information, and opening people’s eyes to new perspectives.
For example, during the civil rights movements, television news coverage brought the realities of racial injustice into living rooms across America. This helped shift public opinion and garnered support for civil rights initiatives.
But it’s not all good news. Some studies have found that news coverage is often out of step with actual economic trends, and that consistent negativity can lead to a negative perception of the economy. This is called priming, and it has been linked to a variety of mental health problems.
Moreover, some studies have found that people who consume the most news tend to experience more stress and depression than those who don’t. This may be a result of overexposure to anxiety-provoking content, or a feeling that their interests are not being represented in the media.
When it comes to media coverage, the best way to approach an outlet is to find out who your contact person is and send a direct message. It’s also important to know when to reach out – for example, don’t call during their news time or in the afternoon when they are already working on deadline. Finally, never turn down the opportunity for media coverage – as a former reporter myself, I was always surprised when businesses would turn down the chance to be featured on TV or radio!