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The Impact of Key Events on the Presentation of Reality

Johanna Habermeier

Based on the theoretical distinction between genuine, mediated and staged events, the causes and consequences of waves of news coverage are analysed. It is assumed that key events change the criteria for the selection of news and stimulate new activities which in turn get covered by the media. It is further assumed that, as a consequence, the news coverage creates the false impression of an increasing number of genuine events — occurrences which by definition cannot be influenced by media coverage — even if their actual number remains unchanged. This is due to the fact that the media report more often on past events, give new events more coverage and make both appear very similar to the key event. The theoretical assumptions are analysed with respect to coverage on AIDS, earthquakes and truck accidents before and after three key events.

Key Words: agenda-building • key events • news selection • risk communication

European Journal of Communication, Vol. 10, No. 3, 371-390 (1995)
DOI: 10.1177/0267323195010003004


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