I think im the same way, I mean no matter how bad my day was, it nice to know someone is angrier than you.

From the standpoint of an A Level in Media, I would say this boils down to the opposition between the hypodermic model of the media, and a concept called preferred readings.

The first, treats the media as if it directly influences the thoughts and attitudes of the viewer/reader/listener

The second, implies that the viewer/reader/listener will consume a media text and then process the information and ideas contained within, accepting or rejecting those pieces of information or those ideas, based on their own preconcieved notions of the world around them.