SXSW 2023

Combating Negativity Bias in the Media

Description:

There is one thing that seems to be constant in today’s media landscape—bad news! With consumers accessing the news from just about anywhere and over consumption of trauma-related news linked to mental health issues, should the media be balancing the good with the bad? Or is the media simply responding to audience demand and publishing the stories people want to see? And with so much tragedy occurring all around us, how can PR professionals responsibly pitch more uplifting stories that will have a positive impact on audiences? This session will approach these questions from all sides, discussing the current consumer appetite for news and if there’s anything the media can do to shine a more positive light during dark times.


Related Media


Takeaways

  1. Learn how our preference for the negative is being harnessed to keep our attention.
  2. Hear how media executives, journalists, and PR pros are working to combat negativity bias in headlines.
  3. Understand the challenges PR professionals face finding the right moment to pitch positive stories when negative news needs to be published.

Speakers

  • Annie Scranton, Founder & President, Pace PR
  • Ashleigh Banfield, Anchor, NewsNation
  • Kara Seymour, Editor in Chief, Patch

Organizer

Justine Pallas, Director, credPR


Meta Information:

  • Event: SXSW
  • Format: Panel
  • Track: Media Industry
  • Track 2
  • Level: Beginner


Add Comments

comments powered by Disqus

SXSW reserves the right to restrict access to or availability of comments related to PanelPicker proposals that it considers objectionable.