Victoria LaPoe

Visual Agenda-Setting, Emotion, and the BP Oil Disaster

This study seeks to identify the most memorable visual imagery of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill by comparing a content analysis of television images and a survey of the most-remembered images. The study compared visuals from weeks 1 and 6 of the disaster to a survey conducted a year later that asked respondents to freely recall the most memorable images of the disaster. The comparison showed respondents did indeed choose as the most memorable images the visuals coded with greatest frequency in the content analysis. However, the emotions evoked by the oil-soaked animals elevated that set of images to the most memorable—chosen by almost half of respondents. This set of images was number one with the respondents yet number eight in frequency in the content analysis. This study shows a visual agenda-setting effect heightened by emotion.

Book Review: Principles of American journalism: An introduction

When researching quotes on history, you will find many that say history can and should serve as teaching examples for today and for the future. As professors, what we appreciate most about this book is that it intertwines history with the core teachings of journalism. While other texts with this connection exist, the current book authors teach through their writing. For example, when describing what democracy needs from journalism, the authors use three metaphors for the role of the press, namely, the mirror, the watchdog, and the marketplace of ideas. These metaphors are something a beginning journalism student can understand, remember, and will help frame the information throughout the book. Examples of this successful studentcentered approach are countless within this text.