As for the media discourse, the definition is:
A term used to describe the way in which the media frames certain issues and generates discussions among the public. It can be widely understood as any way in which the media — including news outlets, publishers, and others — frames certain issues and generates discussions among the public. In some sense, all media furthers some sort of discourse simply as a function of its essential nature. Breaking down the specific types can be a challenge, but it’s often easiest to think about in terms of broad categories. Type of publication is one; different media outlets publish and disseminate their work in different ways, from printed volumes and online blogs to radio and television broadcasts. Differentiating based on written or spoken media is sometimes also instructive. Other scholars look at discourse in terms of its effects on larger society, or study it based on the guiding principles or larger ethos of its reporters and participants. Much of the discussion is necessarily regional, and depends a lot on the prevailing customs and traditions of both the media players and the information consumers.
But my understanding is this: newspapers, television, radio and online platforms convey information, shape public opinion and influence the public’s understanding of events and issues. Media discourse plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions, constructing narratives and influencing public opinion. It involves the choice of words, the framing of the story, the selection of images, and the overall presentation of the information, all of which contribute to the interpretation of the event. Here is an example:
The gossip headline style of Hong Kong media often uses eye-catching and sensational language to attract readers, and Hong Kong’s media environment is diverse, with traditional print publications and digital platforms competing for the audience’s attention. Why choose Hong Kong media? You will know after reading it. The first is that titles often use dramatic or sensational language to create intrigue and grab the reader’s attention.
The second is gossip headlines in the Hong Kong media often revolve around celebrities, their personal lives, relationships or any scandals they may be involved in.
A male celebrity announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after his private photos were exposed due to computer repairs. He was criticized by many for a while. (Because the private photos involve not only female celebrities but also some ordinary people)
The third is clever wordplay and puns are often used to make titles more engaging and memorable.
Hong Kong’s gossip magazine title style has some similar phenomena in other countries. For example, in Japan, there are some authoritative gossip magazines, such as “Weekly Truth”, “Weekly Bunshun” and “Friday”. Their title styles often contain explosive content, and sometimes even contain some satirical and discriminatory elements. The goal of these magazines is to capture the reader’s attention and stimulate their interest in reading. However, this approach has also caused some controversy, especially regarding its discrimination against women and its infringement of personal privacy.The headlines in these magazines often exaggerate the facts or even create news. For example, they might portray a star’s daily life as a scandal, or a female star’s weight change as a national concern. This approach not only attracts readers, but also raises questions about their moral and ethical standards.
Overall, this style of headlines in gossip magazines exists around the world to a certain extent. It reflects how the media uses explosive headlines to attract readers, while also revealing the problems that this approach may cause. Although this method may attract more readers, it may also cause harm to the people being reported, and even trigger social controversy and criticism. Therefore, while pursuing readers, the media also needs to consider the impact of its reporting and its responsibilities to society and individuals.
Reference lists:
- X Doctor (2019). Appreciating Hong Kong media headlines from a rhetorical perspective. Available from https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/68860582 [Accessed 3 December 2023]
2. HTT (2018). The history of Hong Kong gossip magazine headlines: snobbishness, adultery and misogyny. Available from http://dajia.qq.com [Accessed 3 December 2023]
3. Guoli He (2017). Similarities, Differences and Development Trends in Entertainment News between Hong Kong and Chongqing. 13(5), 82-85.
4. The official website. Available from 東方日報 (on.cc) [Accessed 3 December 2023]
Hi, Yuning! Your blog first explained the definition of media discourse. I think your explanation of media discourse is very professional, but I have to say that I didn’t understand what it was until I saw your understanding of media discourse. The example you gave about Hong Kong magazines is a very good supplementary material, and it is also this example help me fully understood the content you expressed. Not only that, you also pointed out that the gimmicky titles of gossip magazines around the world may involve issues of privacy infringement and discrimination against women. I completely agree with your opinion.
With the change of media ecological pattern, the new media speech has become a new form of public opinion and a new way to express public opinion, reflecting the characteristics of sensibility, multi-dimensionality and spontaneity. This has led to the birth of gossip and entertainment news, but also promotes multiple values and the depth of interaction between the participating subjects.