Robert Entman

Definition

Robert Entman is a prominent communication scholar known for his work on framing and agenda-setting, which examines how media influences public perception and the importance of how issues are presented. His concepts focus on the way media frames issues can shape the public's understanding and influence political outcomes. Entman's work emphasizes that framing not only highlights certain aspects of an issue but also obscures others, affecting what audiences consider important.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Entman's influential paper 'Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm' argues that framing is crucial for understanding how media shapes public opinion.
2. He introduced the concept of 'framing effects,' which suggests that the way an issue is framed can significantly alter how people interpret it.
3. Entman proposed a model where framing involves selection and salience; it highlights certain aspects while making others less noticeable.
4. His work has been foundational in political communication studies, particularly in understanding the interplay between media frames and political behavior.
5. Entman has also discussed the implications of framing for democracy, suggesting that biased framing can undermine informed public debate and civic engagement.

Review Questions

• How does Robert Entman's concept of framing influence public perception of political issues?
  • Entman's concept of framing plays a crucial role in shaping how audiences perceive political issues by emphasizing certain aspects while downplaying others. This selective presentation affects what people consider important and can steer public discourse. For instance, if a news report frames a protest as a 'riot' rather than a 'demonstration,' it can invoke different emotional responses and shape public opinion about the event.
• Evaluate the implications of Entman's framing theory for understanding media bias in political communication.
  • Entman's framing theory highlights how media bias can emerge from the selective presentation of issues, influencing public opinion and perceptions of political events. By focusing on specific angles while neglecting others, media outlets can sway audience interpretations in favor of particular narratives. This raises concerns about the integrity of information that citizens receive, as biased framing can lead to misinformed public discourse and hinder democratic processes.
• Assess the impact of Robert Entman's research on contemporary media practices and its relevance to civic engagement.
  • Robert Entman's research has had a lasting impact on contemporary media practices by shedding light on how framing influences public understanding and political engagement. His theories underscore the importance of critically evaluating media messages to foster informed citizenship. In today's fast-paced information environment, recognizing framing techniques is vital for citizens to navigate media narratives effectively, promoting active participation in democratic processes and encouraging accountability among media outlets.

Related terms

Framing: The process of presenting information in a way that influences perception, focusing attention on specific aspects of an issue while downplaying others.

Agenda Setting: The theory that media doesn't tell us what to think, but what to think about, shaping public discourse by highlighting certain topics and issues.

Media Bias: A perceived or real bias in news reporting, which can affect how events are covered and the framing of different viewpoints.