Consolation in Children’s News: A Longitudinal Content Analysis of the Dutch NOS
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2018-08-28
Language
en
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Abstract
Not only for adults, but also for children it is important to be informed on what is
going on in the world. However, on a daily basis, children’s news producers face a trade-off
between fully informing children and not causing distress. In times of changing views on
childhood and changes in the media landscape, the current study examined changes in the use
of consolation strategies in the Dutch children’s television news program NOS Jeugdjournaal
from 2000 to 2016, with a (manual) content analysis. Based on previous research, consolation
strategies were studied at the program-, item- and shot level. On the one hand, the NOS
Jeugdjournaal seems to become less inclined to protect children, showing a decrease in
expert sources, distance shots and an increase in the repetition of sensational images and the
prevalence of frightening sounds. On the other hand, results remain mixed. The amount of
items on sensational topics and time devoted to these topics is relatively low and has not
changed over time. Also the use of the sandwich formula did not change over the years. Yet,
the amount of children as source has risen, which might signal a greater focus on the stories
of children themselves. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen