abcnews.go.com
ABC News Reviews 2024's Defining Events
ABC News' "The Year: 2024" reviews 2024's defining moments, from Donald Trump's presidential win and ongoing international conflicts to pop culture trends and sporting victories, airing December 26th at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
- How did pop culture trends and celebrity events reflect the broader social and emotional climate of 2024?
- The special connects various 2024 events, from the US presidential election and international conflicts to pop culture moments and sporting achievements. It highlights the contrasting narratives of political upheaval, celebrity romances, and cultural trends, showcasing a year of significant change and loss.
- What were the most significant political and global events of 2024, and what were their immediate consequences?
- The Year: 2024" is a two-hour ABC News special airing December 26th, reviewing 2024's major events. The program features interviews with celebrities like Elton John and Taylor Swift, and covers significant political events such as the contentious US presidential election won by Donald Trump and the ongoing wars in Israel/Gaza and Ukraine.
- What long-term implications might the 2024 US presidential election, the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza, and the rise of AI have on the world?
- The retrospective's focus on the US election, where Trump's victory was a major turning point, and the continued conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, suggests an analysis of global power shifts. The inclusion of AI's integration into daily life and a segment on notable deaths indicates an attempt to capture the year's technological and cultural impact.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction emphasize the year's entertainment aspects (pop culture, celebrities, sports) as much as the serious global events. This framing might lead the audience to perceive 2024 as primarily defined by celebrity news, downplaying the significance of geopolitical events. The order of topics also presents lighter news items before the serious ones.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral, but certain descriptive words might subtly influence perception. For example, describing Harris replacing Biden as the nominee as a "story to watch" might imply a sense of drama or unexpectedness, whereas Trump's victory is presented as a straightforward outcome. More neutral word choices are possible.
Bias by Omission
The overview of 2024 events focuses heavily on US-centric events (politics, celebrities) and underrepresents global perspectives beyond the Israel-Gaza conflict and the Ukraine war. The inclusion of international sporting events like the Olympics partially mitigates this, but a more balanced representation of global news is warranted. The Memoriam section, while touching upon several significant figures, may also unintentionally omit other notable losses depending on the selection criteria and space constraints.
False Dichotomy
The political coverage presents a somewhat simplified view of the Harris-Trump race, focusing on key events (debate, assassination attempt, Harris's replacement as nominee) without fully exploring the nuances of the campaign strategies, policy differences, or broader societal factors that influenced the outcome. The narrative leans towards a straightforward "winner-loser" dichotomy.
Gender Bias
While the special includes prominent female figures, there's a potential for gender bias in the selection and presentation of certain stories. The focus on celebrity relationships and personal details (divorce, engagements) may disproportionately affect female celebrities compared to their male counterparts. A deeper analysis of the balance between professional achievements and personal lives for both men and women featured would be necessary to fully assess potential bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights Kamala Harris's presidential candidacy, demonstrating a commitment to political representation and potentially impacting policies related to inequality. The mention of the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza, and the war in Ukraine, indirectly relates to this SDG as these conflicts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and exacerbate existing inequalities.