News music is designed to engage viewers, create a connection with the news, and evoke strong emotions.
The choice of music in news coverage can influence how viewers interpret and respond to the news, serving as a hidden persuader.
Deep dives
The Power of News Music
News music has the ability to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of familiarity and comfort. It is designed to engage viewers and create a connection with the news. Composers aim to grab listeners' attention with a strong opening, establish a steady beat for reliability, and convey a sense of control even during intense moments. The rise of news music coincided with the development of television news, and composers started creating memorable themes to brand news programs. News music has also been used during major events like the Persian Gulf War to create a sense of urgency and nationalism. Despite the recent concerns about the media and information overload, news music continues to shape the way we interpret and consume news.
The Fascination with News Music
Victor Vlam, a Dutch journalist, has developed a deep appreciation and fascination for news music. His passion for news themes began as a childhood hobby, and he has since created a blog and collected over 50,000 hours of news music. Victor even listens to news music while running marathons. While Victor acknowledges that he can't pinpoint what exactly makes news music interesting to him, he believes that it brings back memories of a safe and innocent childhood. Despite the often bleak nature of the news, news music gives Victor a feeling of safety and comfort.
The Impact of News Music
News music plays a crucial role in shaping our perception of news events. It serves as a hidden persuader, working in conjunction with images to evoke emotions and create a sense of authority. The choice of music in news coverage can influence how viewers interpret and respond to the news. Composers strive to create themes that can withstand the ever-changing news landscape, from lighthearted stories to disasters. However, the use of news music also raises questions about the potential detachment from reality and the reliance on entertainment in news delivery. Despite these concerns, news music remains a powerful tool in the television news industry.