Sensationalism Versus News of the Moral Life: Making the Distinction

Abstract

This study argues that there is a moral dimension to sensational news. The study assumes that citizens have a moral interest in the community because moral standards play a role in governing social behavior. Some news, labeled as sensational, reflects news of the moral life of the community and is related to the community's moral well-being. This study addresses the problem of making the distinction between such news and news that is sensational for its own sake. This study also suggests a method that journalists can use to responsibly cover stories traditionally associated with press sensationalism.