The effect of graphic design materials on the retention level of viewers in prime time television newscasts

Abstract

This study investigates the role of graphic design materials in improving the recall and retention level of television news viewers, and examines the capacity and power of these materials to shape or distort people's perception of reality. To this end, two experiments have been conducted with the aim of providing an empirical framework to the role of graphics in the construction of reality. It was found that graphics increase the recall and retention level of the viewers, and that they can alter viewers' recall of the content of the news stories.