Differences in Television News Coverage; A Comparison of RTL aktuell and ARD Tagesschau

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Background Information
  • Historical Development of the German Broadcasting System
  • Media conglomeration affecting commercial broadcasting
• Research Performance
  • Coding Sheet
  • Research Findings
• Discussion
  • Analysis of ARD Tagesschau
  • Analysis of RTL aktuell
  • Comparison and Implications
• Conclusion
• References
• Appendix

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to compare the news coverage of RTL aktuell and ARD Tagesschau, two German news programs representing different broadcasting systems – private (RTL) and public (ARD). The study investigates differences in news selection and presentation, exploring how the channels' ownership structures influence these aspects. A content analysis was conducted over a week, focusing on specific criteria such as news topics, reporting styles, and language use.

• Differences in news topic selection between public and private broadcasting.
• Variations in reporting style: balance of opinions, complexity of issues, and language use.
• Influence of broadcasting system ownership on news presentation.
• The role of audience appeal and advertising revenue in shaping news content.
• Implications of the findings for the importance of independent public broadcasting in a democracy.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Introduction: This chapter introduces the German dual broadcasting system (public and private), highlighting recent criticisms of public service broadcasting's expansion into areas considered suitable for free markets. It mentions pressures for increased transparency and the potential risks to independence from political and economic influences. The chapter establishes the study's central thesis: to investigate differences in news selection and presentation between ARD's Tagesschau and RTL aktuell, and to explore how these differences relate to the channels' ownership and broadcasting systems. A content analysis methodology is outlined, involving a coding sheet to compare the representation of political and other issues across the two news programs over a week-long period. This introduction lays the groundwork for the subsequent in-depth analysis and comparison of the news broadcasts.

Background Information: This section provides historical context on the German broadcasting system, tracing its roots to the Weimar Republic and the role of Hans Bredow. It describes the early focus on artistic and entertainment programming, while also highlighting attempts to maintain separation from party politics. The narrative then shifts to the Nazi regime's centralized control under Goebbels and the transformation of radio into a crucial tool for shaping public opinion. This contrast between the early attempts at maintaining a 'public-service ethos' and the subsequent totalitarian exploitation of the medium highlights the importance of independent broadcasting for a functioning democracy, setting the stage for the later comparative analysis.

Research Performance: This chapter details the research methodology used in the study. It would describe the creation and application of the coding sheet used to analyze the content of both news broadcasts. The chapter would also present the general findings emerging from the coding process, serving as a bridge to the more in-depth analysis of individual news programs in the following section. The details of this section would not be given since the provided text does not elaborate on the specifics of the coding or findings.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

German broadcasting system, RTL aktuell, ARD Tagesschau, news coverage, content analysis, public broadcasting, private broadcasting, media policy, political influence, news selection, reporting style, audience appeal, democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions: German News Broadcasting Comparison

What is the main topic of this paper?

This paper compares the news coverage of two German news programs, RTL aktuell (private) and ARD Tagesschau (public), analyzing differences in news selection, presentation, and the influence of their ownership structures. It investigates how ownership impacts news content, exploring topics, reporting styles, and language use.

What methods were used in this research?

The study employed content analysis over a week-long period. A coding sheet was developed and used to analyze specific criteria across both news programs, focusing on news topics, reporting styles, and language use. The details of the coding sheet and specific findings are not provided in this preview.

What are the key themes explored in the paper?

Key themes include the differences in news topic selection between public and private broadcasting; variations in reporting style (balance of opinions, complexity, language); the influence of broadcasting system ownership on news presentation; the role of audience appeal and advertising revenue; and the implications of the findings for the importance of independent public broadcasting in a democracy.

What is the structure of the paper?

The paper is structured with an abstract, introduction, background information (including the historical development of the German broadcasting system and the impact of media conglomeration), research performance (methodology and findings), discussion (analysis of ARD Tagesschau and RTL aktuell, and a comparison of the two), conclusion, references, and an appendix.

What background information is provided?

The background section provides historical context on the German broadcasting system, tracing its development from the Weimar Republic, highlighting the early focus on artistic and entertainment programming, the Nazi regime's control under Goebbels, and the importance of maintaining independence from political and economic influences for a functioning democracy.

What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?

The preview includes summaries of the introduction (establishing the study's aims and methodology), background information (historical context of the German broadcasting system), and research performance (detailing the research methodology, but not the specific findings).

What are the keywords associated with this research?

Keywords include: German broadcasting system, RTL aktuell, ARD Tagesschau, news coverage, content analysis, public broadcasting, private broadcasting, media policy, political influence, news selection, reporting style, audience appeal, and democracy.