6 common media strategies to divert attention

Introduction

The freedom of the press is an important value in a liberal society, as it allows for the free exchange of ideas and the holding of power to account, and it is essential for the functioning of a healthy and democratic society. Liberalism advocates for limited government interference in the affairs of individuals, and this includes the right to report and publish information without interference or censorship. But in reality, the freedom of the press allows the mass media especially in the west, controlled by a small number of powerful corporations and individuals, who use their influence to shape the content of the media and promote their own interests. These corporations and individuals have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and protecting their own wealth and power, and they use the media to divert attention, change public opinion, and promote their views. 

Today’s media organizations use a variety of media strategies to divert attention away from certain issues or stories and shape the ideology of individuals by promoting a particular set of beliefs and values that align with the interests of the wealthy and powerful. Noam Chomsky has talked in great detail in his book Manufacturing Consent about how media manipulate and use different strategies to divert attention.

Here are the 6 common strategies to divert attention –

1. Sensationalizing Stories

Media organizations may focus on stories that are sensational or attention-grabbing in order to divert attention away from other, more mundane or complex issues. This tactic can involve exaggerating or distorting the facts, or focusing on a particular aspect of a story in order to make it seem more interesting or dramatic. Sensationalism can take many forms such as emphasis on violence, sex, scandal, or any other topics that are likely to provoke an emotional response in the audience. By using this tactic, media organizations can attract more readers or viewers, but at the same time divert attention away from more important or controversial issues that may have a more significant impact on society. The sensationalized stories can also be used as a way to manipulate the public attention to certain topics, by providing a certain angle or bias in the news that are intended to divert the public attention from more critical issues.

2. Focusing on Celebrities or Personalities

Media organizations may focus on stories involving celebrities or other high-profile individuals as strategies to divert attention away from more important or controversial issues. This type of coverage is often referred to as “infotainment” where the focus is on providing entertainment rather than informative news. By covering celebrity gossip, scandals, or the personal lives of celebrities, media organizations can attract more readers or viewers, but at the same time divert attention away from more important or controversial issues that may have a more significant impact on society. This type of coverage can also be used as a way to manipulate the public attention to certain topics, by providing a certain angle or bias in the news that are intended to divert the public attention from more critical issues.

3. Using Distractions or Trivia

Media organizations may use distractions or trivia, such as light-hearted or humorous content, as strategies to divert attention away from more serious or important issues. This can take the form of including celebrity gossip, viral videos, or other types of content that are intended to entertain rather than inform the audience. By using this tactic, media organizations can keep the audience engaged and interested in the content, but at the same time divert attention away from more serious or important issues that may require their attention and action. This type of coverage can also be used as a way to manipulate the public attention to certain topics, by providing a certain angle or bias in the news that are intended to divert the public attention from more critical issues.

4. Delaying or Burying Stories

Media organizations may delay or bury stories that are important or controversial in order to divert attention away from them. This can involve holding back the release or publication of important or controversial stories, or placing them in a less prominent position, in order to divert attention away from them. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to avoid negative publicity, to protect the interests of the media organization or its advertisers, or to avoid conflict with the government or other powerful entities. By using this tactic, media organizations can prevent the public from being informed about important events or issues in a timely manner, and can also contribute to the erosion of trust in the media. Additionally, this type of coverage can also be used as a way to manipulate the public attention to certain topics, by providing a certain angle or bias in the news that are intended to divert the public attention from more critical issues or to delay the release of a story that would cast a negative light on certain interests.

5. Misleading or Manipulating Information

Media organizations may present information in a misleading or manipulative way in order to divert attention away from certain issues or shape ideology to promote certain viewpoints. This can include selectively editing or omitting information, presenting information out of context, or using biased language or imagery. By using this tactic, media organizations can present information in a way that is intended to be misleading or manipulative and can prevent the public from being informed about important events or issues in an accurate and fair manner. For example, a media organization may present information about a political candidate in a way that is intended to make them appear more favorable to the public, by selectively editing footage or by presenting information out of context. Or a media organization may use biased language or imagery to promote a particular viewpoint on an issue, such as climate change or immigration. This tactic can have a significant impact on the public’s understanding of important or controversial issues, as it can prevent the public from being informed about important events or issues in an accurate and fair manner. It can also contribute to the erosion of trust in the media, as the public may come to view the media as more interested in promoting a particular agenda, rather than in providing accurate and unbiased information.

6. Focusing on Sports Events

Sports events are often used by media organizations to divert attention away from other, more serious or important issues. One way media organizations use sports events as strategies to divert attention is by providing extensive coverage of popular sports events, such as major league games or championship matches while downplaying coverage of other important news stories. This can create the impression that the sports event is more important than other stories, and can divert attention away from more serious or important issues. Another way media organizations use sports events to divert attention is by using sports events as a way to distract the public from more critical issues. This can be done by emphasizing the excitement and entertainment value of sports events, rather than the more serious or important issues. This can create a sense of escapism for the audience, where they are able to forget about the more critical issues for a short period of time.

Overall, these strategies to divert attention used by media organizations can have negative consequences for society, as they can prevent important issues from receiving the attention they deserve, obscure the truth and create a distorted view of reality. By focusing on sensational or trivial stories, or by misleading or manipulating information, media organizations can divert attention away from more important or controversial issues and can prevent the public from being fully informed about important events or issues. This can lead to a lack of public understanding or engagement with important issues and can make it more difficult for the public to hold the government and other powerful entities accountable.

It is important for media consumers to be aware of these strategies and to critically evaluate the information they receive from the media. It’s crucial to verify the information that is being reported and to seek out multiple sources of information in order to get a more complete and accurate understanding of the news. By being informed and critical consumers of the media, the public can make more informed decisions and hold the media accountable for providing accurate and unbiased information.