What term best describes how media frames incidents to influence public perception of athletes and officials?

• A. Media bias.
• B. Public relations spin.
• C. Sensational reporting.
• D. Framing and sensationalism.

Answer: (D)

Media frames incidents by choosing what aspects to highlight and how to present them, creating a lens through which audiences interpret events. This is framing. When those frames are paired with sensationalism—dramatic headlines, vivid language, and a focus on controversy—the story is not only described but intensified to steer public perception. The combination of framing and sensationalism captures both how the narrative is structured and how it’s amplified for impact, making it the best description of how media shape views of athletes and officials. Options like media bias refer to a general slant, public relations spin to messaging by PR teams, and sensational reporting to drama alone, but they don’t fully describe the integrated process of framing plus sensationalism.