ANALYZING THE USE OF EMOTIONAL APPEALS IN MEDIA COVERAGE OF SOCIAL ISSUES

This article explores the use of emotional appeals in media coverage of social issues. Emotional appeals, primarily pathos, are employed by the media to evoke specific emotional responses from the audience, such as fear, sympathy, or anger, in order to influence public perception and behavior. The analysis includes the examination of both traditional and digital media, demonstrating how emotions are strategically manipulated to shape societal opinions on issues such as climate change, immigration, and racial inequality. Case studies and media examples are utilized to illustrate the effectiveness of emotional rhetoric.