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Imagine watching your favorite cooking competition. The show has all the drama: rivalries, suspense, and a “good vs. bad” showdown between two chefs. It’s all in good fun, but what if that same style were used to report the news? Turns out, it often is!
Media outlets frequently use a “game frame” approach, covering politics and social issues in terms of wins, losses, and intense battles rather than focusing on the actual policies or solutions being discussed. This “game framing” can have a powerful impact, shaping how we see issues, politicians, and even each other—and not always for the better.
There is usually a clear winner and loser in a cook-off or a sports arena. As the media continues to tee up the latest political policies with a game frame strategy - is anyone winning? Especially as our country continues to show signs of growing division and political polarization.
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In an analysis of election coverage of the 2016 presidential primaries, Harvard’s Shorenstein Center found 56% of election news was focused on the competition between two opponents, 33% on the campaign process, and only 11% on substantive policy-based concerns.
Game framing turns political reporting into a spectator sport. The media often presents news as strategy, tactics, and which “team” is ahead instead of focusing on policy details or experience. Consider the recent election coverage: poll results were constantly updated, and candidates were portrayed as “gaining ground” or “on the ropes.” By focusing on the game rather than the issues, the media feeds into our natural inclination to support a team and see the other side as a threat.
Studies reveal this reporting heightens political distrust and cynicism, distorting the perception of the actual differences. It shifts the focus away from issues that matter and turns politics into a drama, complete with heroes, villains, and theatrical showdowns. When news coverage focuses heavily on winning, losing, poll numbers, and campaign tactics rather than policy substance, it can lead people to view politicians as self-interested and untrustworthy. By constantly seeing issues framed as “us vs. them,” we are susceptible to viewing politics as a zero-sum game: when the other side wins, we lose.
Media outlets often use game framing to attract viewers because the “race to the finish” drama draws bigger audiences. This approach leads to everyday people perceiving those with different views as opponents rather than fellow citizens. In one study conducted by More in Common, findings pointed to an increased perception gap as news and media consumption increased.
Let’s take a news segment about climate policy. Rather than covering the impact of a clean energy proposal, the segment focuses on political party wins if it passes. Phrases like “the party scored a big victory” or “they suffered a setback” present it as a sports recap rather than a factual retelling of the events. The media focuses less on the environmental impact and more on who won or lost the policy battle. Sound familiar? That’s game framing in action, leading us to think of climate policy as political points rather than meaningful change. Multiply over and over and over again, and suddenly, politics is one giant arena with each party fighting to score points for their team instead of solving real challenges.
The research found that even simple terms like “lead,” “trail,” or “gain ground” can reframe political issues as a scoreboard. Instead of debating the merits of a policy addressing real-world problems, we’re primed to only consider if “my side” is winning. The study even found that people who read game-framed news felt more cynical about politics overall.
Being trained to view politics through a competitive lens makes it significantly harder to believe that taking the time to work with people with different perspectives, navigating disagreements, or discussing compromises is even possible.
Research reveals game framing doesn’t just change how we see issues—it changes how we think.
When news depicts events with phrasing like “attack,” “score,” or “crush,” it triggers a competitive mindset. We start viewing politics as something to root for, like a team sport, rather than an arena for thoughtful debate. Studies show that the more we hear these words, the more likely we think in “us vs. them” terms. It’s almost like our brains are rewired to look for winners and losers rather than solutions.
But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about how we see the “other side.” Game framing also affects how we view the side we support. When news frames the narrative as “wins” and “losses,” we start prioritizing victories over the actual content of policies, leading us to cheer for any success without much regard for what it actually means for our communities.
Now that we know what game framing is and how it affects us, what can we do about it? Here are a few tips to help you become a more aware news consumer:
When you notice words like “win,” “loss,” or “strategy” in a headline, pause and ask yourself what the article is really about. Is there a policy or an issue behind the “game,” and how might it actually affect people?
Seek out news sources that prioritize solutions and in-depth analysis rather than play-by-play updates. These sources are more likely to give you a well-rounded understanding of issues without the “sportscast” effect resulting in higher reliability and less polarization. Here’s a few to consider:
Just like with a favorite sports team, it’s easy to feel defensive about political “sides.” Remind yourself that real progress often requires collaboration and compromise—and that “winning” in politics doesn’t always mean progress for everyone.
The media’s reach and influence in today’s society is certainly something that can’t be ignored.
Game framing is a powerful - and dangerous - influence, shaping how we view politics and each other. By becoming aware that it exists and choosing to step back from the non-existent scoreboard, we can start to see politics for what it is: a tool for creating positive change in our communities, not just a competition.
So next time you read the news, ask yourself: are you rooting for a team or looking for solutions?
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