Study of News Report and Public Expression towards Violence-Related News on Facebook Fanpage

Abstract

                This qualitative research intends to study types of presentation of violence-related contents on the social online network as found on news Facebook Fanpages. It entails a content analysis of news clips, writings and comments on the Fanpages of the following five social online media: Dailynews, Ejan, Thairath, Bright TV (20), and Channel 8, as well as in-depth interviews with followers of violence-related news, media academics, and psychologists. The objective is to study their views on violent behaviors.
                The case study of the presentation of the contents reveals that four news clips are accompanied with images and sounds taken from the actual incidents, while one is a re-enaction of the scene with narration and captions to explain the extent of violence. In addition, the news presentation by the media, whether by the news broadcaster or with written messages, all focuses on the details as close to the real incidents as possible. This reflects how the media intend to convey “the scenario” showing real images and sounds as best they could and how the use of Facebook Fanpages provides a two-way and multiple-way communication between the media and media users. It also shows how they intend to create a public space for people in society to react to the act of violence, its perpetrators and victims.
                An analysis of the media users’ opinions or “comments” shows that most condemn the act of violence, while some suggest action for the victims to take. An interesting point is that the opinions in the most part are cloaked in violent language, thus conveying a negative emotional reaction. In this connection, the public space has become a forum of negative emotion and linguistic violence toward those in the news, whether perpetrators, victims or even other people concerned, e.g., their relatives.
                Meanwhile, the followers of violence-related news, psychologists and academics on media and communication show similar views on the space for people to react to violence in news Facebook Fanpages. In a nutshell, the online media is a kind of public space for members of the society, i.e. Facebook Fanpage followers, to exchange views on social issues, here violence, in a free manner. However, the reaction is tinged with emotions, feelings, and violent use of language toward those in the news, whether perpetrator or victim, in such a way that it tends to aggravate or increase the level of violence. The reaction often follows the line of the group trend or is influenced by group views. This may as well lead to further acts of aggression or violent emotion toward one another. Besides, the virtual space readily encourages such reaction, often anonymous, unlike face-to-face communication. Consequently, free emotional display, use of language, and strong force of comment can happen more readily, usually following and imitating one another. Therefore, media users need to exercise greater awareness, caution, and critical thinking, before deciding to embark on any reaction.