Understanding How the News Media Works

I remember being the program chair of the Detroit, MI Rotary Club a few years back. On one occasion we invited the Editor and Chief of the Detroit News, which at the time was one of the major newspapers in the city, to come and talk to our group. At the end of his twenty minute talk, he asked if there were any questions from the audience.


We Look for Things Unique
The first question someone had for him was “Why does the Detroit News paint such a negative picture of the city of Detroit?” His answer gave me a critical insight to how the news media works. This editor said, “You have to understand we don’t try to report everything that is bad that happens in the city. We look for things that are “unique”. It just so happens that just about everything that we write about in Detroit that is unique, is negative.”

Improved Sales
In other words, they found that reporting the “unique” or negative, sold more newspapers. They didn’t really care about the consequences of it affecting the city’s reputation . They simply wanted to raise circulation so their advertisers would be happy, and, in turn, spend more of their advertising dollars with the newspaper.

Negative Input
Here is my point. When you read an online or hard copy version newspaper, you are exposed to an overwhelming amount of negative input. Have you ever noticed when the news media report on the “unemployment rate” that it is giving you a negative perspective of the situation? For example they typically report that the unemployment rate is at 15%; wouldn’t it be more realistic if they reported an 85%“employment rate”? It would be the same information, but with a different emphasis.

Usually when people listen to, watch, or read about the news, they are influencing their thinking in a negative way. This does not help anyone find a job faster, but rather it gives them an additional excuse to complain about the lack of jobs and to wallow in their self pity.

Look for the Positive
One thing you can do to find the job of your dreams is to quit spending so much time listening, watching or reading what the news media offers as “news”. Look for, and focus on, positive information flows and use them as a foundation to keep your attitude positive and land your future job.

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Tom Borg is president of Tom Borg Consulting, LLC. He is a business consultant, speaker, coach and author. He shows companies and organizations how to attract and retain more clients and customers.