IELTS Writing Task 2: Bad news in the media

Anyone who watches the news regularly will notice that most of the stories are about things that have gone wrong. This essay will explain why the media concentrate on negative events and will argue that, on the whole, this has a harmful effect on society.

There are several reasons why bad news dominates. Firstly, news is by definition something unusual. A plane that lands safely is not a story, but a crash is, because it is rare and dramatic. Secondly, people pay more attention to danger than to good news, probably because noticing threats once helped humans to survive. Media companies depend on viewers and readers for their income, so they choose the stories that attract the largest audience. Finally, bad events tend to happen suddenly and are easy to report, whereas positive changes, such as a gradual fall in poverty, take place slowly and do not produce exciting pictures.

In my view, this focus is mostly negative. People who see reports of crime every evening often believe that their neighbourhood is far more dangerous than it really is. This can make them anxious, less willing to trust strangers and, in some cases, afraid to let their children play outside. A constant stream of disasters may also lead people to feel that nothing can be improved, so they stop taking an interest in public life.

It is true that reporting problems has an important purpose. Journalists who reveal corruption or pollution help to get these things corrected, and citizens need to know about real risks. However, the balance has moved too far. News organisations could give more space to solutions and to long-term progress without hiding the truth.

In conclusion, the media focus on bad news because it is unusual and attracts attention. Although some negative reporting is necessary, the present imbalance gives people a misleading and depressing picture of the world.