Introduction
The two news organizations chosen for this comparison were CNN and PBS NewsHour. CNN is an international cable news network with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a 24-hour cable news network owned by WarnerMedia, with a focus on national and international news. It is viewed by a broad range of audiences, including those of all ages and political ideologies.
PBS is an American media organization and non-commercial, free-to-air television network headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, United States. It focuses on short stories and news programs produced by WETA-TV in Washington, DC. Moreover, it emphasizes providing in-depth coverage of national and international news. It is well-regarded for its objective and unbiased approach to reporting.
News Media Websites
PBS NewsHour
- Content: The PBS NewsHour website primarily features news-focused content, showcasing stories from around the world. The website also features expert opinion pieces, commentary on current events, and a dedicated section for educational resources.
- Design: The website’s design is clean and straightforward, with stories in an easy-to-navigate format. The top of the page includes an interactive map with the latest stories from around the globe, a search bar, and prominent links to their various editorial sections.
- Navigation: The website’s navigation is simple and intuitive. The main menu at the top of the page provides easy access to the various editorial sections. In contrast, the interactive map offers a straightforward way to explore stories from around the world.
- Audience: The audience of the PBS NewsHour website is likely comprised of news-savvy individuals seeking to stay informed about current events. The website also provides resources for educators, suggesting the site may also be geared toward a younger audience.
CNN
- Content: CNN’s website is a source for worldwide news stories. It complements its reporting with analysis from experts, current event commentary, and multimedia elements, such as videos and interactive content.
- Design: The design is modern and appealing, organizing stories in an easily navigable layout. Prominent features on the page include a clearly visible search bar and a carousel highlighting top stories.
- Navigation: With its straightforward design, the website ensures quick and easy navigation. The main menu provides access to various editorial sections, and the story carousel enables users to quickly explore breaking news.
- Audience: The website mainly attracts people who are well-informed and actively seek out news. The presence of videos and interactive content indicates the site also targets a younger, media-engaged audience.
Home Page Analysis
Story Placement
The most prominently displayed stories and issues on PBS NewsHour are related to U.S. politics, international affairs, and the economy. The top stories of the past week in 2023 include the U.S. Senate voting on a new infrastructure bill, the U.S. and Russia reaching an agreement on a nuclear arms reduction treaty, and President Biden struggling to confirm judges in the South while attempting to counter the impact of former President Trump (Biskupic, 2023).
On CNN, the most displayed stories and issues are related to American politics, international affairs, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The top stories in the PBS NewsHour include the U.S. Congress passing a coronavirus relief bill, the U.S. and China agreeing to a trade deal, and the U.K.’s Prime Minister announcing a new economic stimulus package (PBS NewsHour, 2023). As such, both news media have both similar and contrasting story headlines.
There are similarities in the types of stories and issues displayed prominently on both websites. Both organizations focus on U.S. politics, international affairs, and the coronavirus pandemic. They also featured the U.K.’s Prime Minister announcing a new economic stimulus package as one of the top stories of the past week.
However, CNN prominently displays coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and the US-China trade deal. At the same time, PBS NewsHour focuses more on stories related to U.S. politics and international affairs. Moreover, both focus on news stories that have a high level of public interest. Both websites also prioritize stories related to current events and world affairs.
Headlines and Photos
There are similarities and differences between how PBS NewsHour and CNN frame issues in headlines and photos. Both organizations tend to use words like warns, calls, urges, and demands to describe topics in headlines. Both also tend to feature people in their photos, and the people are often portrayed as concerned, serious, or sad.
On the other hand, the primary difference between the two organizations is that PBS NewsHour often chooses more neutral language in its headlines, whereas CNN tends to use more sensational language. For example, CNN might have a headline such as “Trump Urges Immediate Action,” while PBS NewsHour might have a headline such as “White House Calls for Action on Immigration.” Furthermore, the differences between the two media organizations are reflected in the photos used by each organization. CNN often chooses photos that are more dramatic and attention-grabbing, while PBS NewsHour tends to choose more subtle and neutral photos.
Same Issue Coverage
A potential story that both PBS NewsHour and CNN covered is the U.S. vote to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran. This issue was moderately prominent on the home pages of both PBS NewsHour and CNN. The media framed the issue differently.
CNN framed it as a battle between the U.S. and Iran, highlighting the tension between the two countries with headlines such as “U.S. forces U.N. to restore all Iran sanctions” and quotes from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said that the U.S. was “returning to maximum pressure on Iran” (Atwood, 2020). In contrast, PBS NewsHour focused on the diplomatic implications of the vote, with headlines such as “WATCH: Alone among nations, U.S. moves to restore U.N. Iran sanctions” (Lee & Reichmann, 2020). They featured quotes from diplomats from the U.S. and Europe, as well as interviews with experts on international law.
The media used words such as sanctions, pressure, and diplomacy to describe the story. Pictures mainly featured the U.S. and Iranian flags, as well as images of the U.N. Security Council. The selection of quotes and sources varied. CNN featured quotes from U.S. government officials, while PBS NewsHour featured quotes from European diplomats and international law experts. On the other hand, there did not appear to be any biases in the coverage. Both media organizations reported the news objectively, without taking sides, ensuring credibility.
Organizations
PBS NewsHour
The general tonality of the stories on PBS NewsHour is neutral. All stories are designed to be impartial and factual. The editorial choices, from the perspectives used and visual elements to quotes and language, are carefully crafted to ensure the news is balanced. The visuals are clear and often include graphics to illustrate the story. The quotes and sources are from reputable experts, and the language used is factual and unbiased.
CNN
The general tone of the stories on CNN is positive, as they often inspire, highlighting the successes of individuals and organizations. The selection of story angles, visuals, quotes/sources, and word choices is often chosen to create an upbeat and inspiring tone. The visuals are often bright and colorful, and the quotes/sources are from people who have achieved success or are in a position of authority. The language used is often upbeat and uplifting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this media analysis, which included CNN and PBS NewsHour, has demonstrated that both organizations prioritize stories of high public interest and cover similar issues and topics. However, there are differences in how the organizations frame issues and present their stories. PBS NewsHour employs more neutral language in its headlines and visuals, whereas CNN often uses more sensational language and visually appealing images. Both organizations also use quotes from reliable sources and report the news objectively and without bias. This analysis has provided insight into the differences and similarities between the two news organizations, highlighting the importance of considering media framing and presentation when evaluating news sources.
References
Atwood, K. (2020). US isolated as allies and opponents reject its bid to snapback UN sanctions on Iran | CNN politics. CNN. Web.
Lee, M., & Reichmann, D. (2020). Watch: Alone among nations, U.S. moves to restore U.N. Iran sanctions. PBS. Web.
PBS NewsHour. (2023). News wrap: At least two dead as storm blasts California. PBS. Web.
Biskupic, J. (2023). Biden struggles to confirm judges in the South and thwart Trump’s impact | CNN politics. Web.