That pronouncement comes as no surprise to anyone but we want the science of it.
For most major events around the world, public access is only available through the media. In a new study, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Journalism examined the photographic news coverage of a visit Pope Francis made to Cuba to determine how major media outlets from different countries covered the international event. T.J. Thomson, a doctoral candidate at Mizzou, found that the cultural values of the photojournalists' home countries affected the ways in which the pope's visit was framed by each media outlet.
Phys.org: Cultural backgrounds of media organizations affect international news coverage
The framework looks valid since the Pope's visit anywhere seems a general interest story, likely of higher interest to Catholics, but general interest nevertheless.
Thomson, along with Margaret Duffy, a professor of strategic communications at MU, and Gregory Perreault, an assistant professor at Appalachian State University, examined more than 400 photographs taken during Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Cuba. The photographs were made by photographers working for the Associated Press (AP) in the U.S., Reuters in the U.K. and Cuba-based Prensa Latina. The researchers examined the camera angles, as well as the cultural priorities and values that were expressed in each photo.
- PO
You may do the same thing but the question is whether we're pushed to the same observations based on those of the photographer.
The researchers found that the camera angles in which the photographers shot photos revealed cultural differences. The AP and Reuters photographs framed the pope at higher angles than the Cuban politicians. The Cuban photographers framed their photos with the pope on an equal level with the politicians.
"Camera angles of the pope visiting with various Cuban dignitaries can be seen as direct evidence of the social and cultural values inherent in each photographer's background," Thomson said. "Placing the pope higher than Cuban dignitaries through the angle of the camera shows cultural values that place religious figures above politicians. The Cuban media's tendency to show the pope on an equal angle with state leaders may illustrate a culture of higher deference toward government officials."
- PO
That sounds a little bit squishy but generally valid.
"It is important for media members to realize how their cultural predispositions can have a profound impact on the nature of their reporting on international events," Thomson said. "This specific example of the pope's Cuban visit showcases how differently people in different countries receive the news about international events. While none of the photos taken of the pope in Cuban were the 'wrong' way to cover the story, the framing and intent behind the photos can change the way news readers understand the news."
The study, "Politicians, Photographers, and a Pope," was published in Journalism Studies
- PO
That part goes to complete squish since people such as Rupert Murdoch know exactly what they're doing and that much is obvious but the less apparent aspect is the cultural loading the photographers bring with them anyway.
The Rockhouse was surprised to discover relative equanimity regarding the Pope from American photographers when there has been so much rejection of the things he says, particularly on Fox News. That photographers do not apparently bring that measure of artificial loading is encouraging.
Nevertheless, there's quite a bit of squish in the article but the Rockhouse does not assail the concept.
For most major events around the world, public access is only available through the media. In a new study, researchers at the University of Missouri School of Journalism examined the photographic news coverage of a visit Pope Francis made to Cuba to determine how major media outlets from different countries covered the international event. T.J. Thomson, a doctoral candidate at Mizzou, found that the cultural values of the photojournalists' home countries affected the ways in which the pope's visit was framed by each media outlet.
Phys.org: Cultural backgrounds of media organizations affect international news coverage
The framework looks valid since the Pope's visit anywhere seems a general interest story, likely of higher interest to Catholics, but general interest nevertheless.
Thomson, along with Margaret Duffy, a professor of strategic communications at MU, and Gregory Perreault, an assistant professor at Appalachian State University, examined more than 400 photographs taken during Pope Francis's 2015 visit to Cuba. The photographs were made by photographers working for the Associated Press (AP) in the U.S., Reuters in the U.K. and Cuba-based Prensa Latina. The researchers examined the camera angles, as well as the cultural priorities and values that were expressed in each photo.
- PO
You may do the same thing but the question is whether we're pushed to the same observations based on those of the photographer.
The researchers found that the camera angles in which the photographers shot photos revealed cultural differences. The AP and Reuters photographs framed the pope at higher angles than the Cuban politicians. The Cuban photographers framed their photos with the pope on an equal level with the politicians.
"Camera angles of the pope visiting with various Cuban dignitaries can be seen as direct evidence of the social and cultural values inherent in each photographer's background," Thomson said. "Placing the pope higher than Cuban dignitaries through the angle of the camera shows cultural values that place religious figures above politicians. The Cuban media's tendency to show the pope on an equal angle with state leaders may illustrate a culture of higher deference toward government officials."
- PO
That sounds a little bit squishy but generally valid.
"It is important for media members to realize how their cultural predispositions can have a profound impact on the nature of their reporting on international events," Thomson said. "This specific example of the pope's Cuban visit showcases how differently people in different countries receive the news about international events. While none of the photos taken of the pope in Cuban were the 'wrong' way to cover the story, the framing and intent behind the photos can change the way news readers understand the news."
The study, "Politicians, Photographers, and a Pope," was published in Journalism Studies
- PO
That part goes to complete squish since people such as Rupert Murdoch know exactly what they're doing and that much is obvious but the less apparent aspect is the cultural loading the photographers bring with them anyway.
The Rockhouse was surprised to discover relative equanimity regarding the Pope from American photographers when there has been so much rejection of the things he says, particularly on Fox News. That photographers do not apparently bring that measure of artificial loading is encouraging.
Nevertheless, there's quite a bit of squish in the article but the Rockhouse does not assail the concept.
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