Media is everywhere and there is no doubt it affects the society, whether good or bad. Imagine yourself walking down the street or simply watching a television programme in your couch, have you ever wondered how much extra information is added into your brain subconciously; even as you are reading my blog. It affects traditions, values and culture. Is this good for us, or is it corrupting our minds?
Today, we see bad things happening in our world---mass killings, drug abuse and many others to list. In many cases, mass media has a part to do with it. In some studies, it is shown that a preference for heavy metal music may be a significant marker for alienation, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, suicide risk, sex-role stereotyping or risk-taking behaviours during adolescence. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, 1999). In televisions nowadays, it is so common to hear heavy metal music and children who have not developed a sense of judgement for themselves, are going to expose themselves to the extreme and explicit lyrics. Do you think it will be healthy for the development of a child if he or she is continuously exposed to this kind of environment?http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/music/inappropriate/negative_effects_music.cfm
Now, we shall look at another way media corrupts our mind---pornography. In around the world, no matter where you are, if you can have access to internet(mass media), you can have access to pornography. How is viewing pronography cause a serious impact to the society? Viewing pornography actually leads tot he objectivisation of women which will in turn lead to domestic violence and sexual abuse cases. This statement has been proven by studies done by an Australian college.http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2372/is_4_42/ai_n15929172/pg_2
Despite the many negative effects that mass media churns out, it does has positive effects on the society. For example, the use of mass media to inform others and to get people to donate to other people who are in trouble. For example was the great tsunamis which happened in 26 december 2004. Due to the mass media, the donations rose tremendously. The news of tsunamis spread fast to many countries and citizens of these countries donate funds, clothings and food to the tsunamis victims which in turn led to the quick recovery of the places which are hit by the disaster.
Actually, mass media does not corrupt minds but it influences them. It simply depends on the motive and the content of the news conveyed through mass media. It can be good or bad but it really depends on the government organisations and media companies to adhere to its original principles---which is to inform.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Social justice-absent in the modern media?
I agree that social justice is absent in the present media.
Mark Crispin Miller once said, "Media manipulation in the U.S. today is more efficient than it was in Nazi Germany, because here we have the pretense that we are getting all the information we want. That misconception prevents people from even looking for the truth". Although we live in a so called"liberal" world today, many things around us, for example media, is controlled by the government. As what the statement above shows, media shows information which are biased towards the stand of the government itself. Due to the influence of the growing superpower--USA, societies around the world are turning more and more capitialistic. This causes the media around the world to work mostly for benefits rather than just doing their jobs; which is to report accurate information to the general public. One example is the use of USA government to sell the case of war to the citizens.
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Amy_Goodman/Bill_Moyers_interview_4_07.html
Other than being controlled by governments, the media is also controlled by corporates. Some media companies are paid by corporates to report news which goes in their favours. Some media companies even go to the extent by fabricating news footages to give a veneer of accuracy on the news they report. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Video_news_releases. With such inaccurate news going around, it is difficult to believe that at this point in time, that media today still has a streak of sense of social justice.
However, we must also credit the media for providing accurate information of a certain extent to the public. Though the media today works mostly in the basis of benefits, we must not forget that media do generate information which are true and accurate. Now there are websites which gives differing views on issues reported by mainstream media. Thus, general masses can now cross reference information and decide on which is fact and which is fiction. But nonetheless, media report news not in an objective manner but rather, in slanted views. If we are to weigh whether, meida still has a sense of social justice, I will think that the answer is going to be a "no".
Mark Crispin Miller once said, "Media manipulation in the U.S. today is more efficient than it was in Nazi Germany, because here we have the pretense that we are getting all the information we want. That misconception prevents people from even looking for the truth". Although we live in a so called"liberal" world today, many things around us, for example media, is controlled by the government. As what the statement above shows, media shows information which are biased towards the stand of the government itself. Due to the influence of the growing superpower--USA, societies around the world are turning more and more capitialistic. This causes the media around the world to work mostly for benefits rather than just doing their jobs; which is to report accurate information to the general public. One example is the use of USA government to sell the case of war to the citizens.
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Amy_Goodman/Bill_Moyers_interview_4_07.html
Other than being controlled by governments, the media is also controlled by corporates. Some media companies are paid by corporates to report news which goes in their favours. Some media companies even go to the extent by fabricating news footages to give a veneer of accuracy on the news they report. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Video_news_releases. With such inaccurate news going around, it is difficult to believe that at this point in time, that media today still has a streak of sense of social justice.
However, we must also credit the media for providing accurate information of a certain extent to the public. Though the media today works mostly in the basis of benefits, we must not forget that media do generate information which are true and accurate. Now there are websites which gives differing views on issues reported by mainstream media. Thus, general masses can now cross reference information and decide on which is fact and which is fiction. But nonetheless, media report news not in an objective manner but rather, in slanted views. If we are to weigh whether, meida still has a sense of social justice, I will think that the answer is going to be a "no".
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Censorhip
I do not agree that censorship can be justified to a large extent.
Censorships are used to "protect people from obscene materials and other information which can pose a threat to the social sercurity and stability of the nation. To some extent, censorships is important especially when information are available to us anywhere and anytime.
However, I still believe that censorship is not beneficial to the society on the whole---no matter it is now or back in the past. If you hear of how Hitler control the media, you will agree with me that it is anti-liberal and tyrannical. Why? This is because it restricts what we can know and not what the higher authorities want us to know. Is one informationalways correct or should we look at the other viewpoints or other articles so as to get a beeter picture? I think the answer is rather obvious. Is censorship some sort of propaganda, I gree that it is to a certain extent. By restricting what you know, can make it easier for others to persuade you. Censorship leads to ignorance and I do not support censorship at all.http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/propaganda_in_nazi_germany.htm
Moreover, with globalisation taking place, censorship is no longer relevant. People can easily get information from the world wide web with no one stopping him. Information spreads and by the time you know it, a major event may be available to you seconds after the actual thing happened. In this example, http://ncac.org/entertainment/20070312~ME-Belfast~Defend_Free_Speech_on_the_Public_Airwaves.cfm, a broadcaster was banned for airing his views on politics. I agree that personal views can be disruptive and misleading, but with education, I think that people will be able to differ from what is right and wrong and thus, make correct judgements.
http://ncac.org/science/20070312%7EUSA%7ENew_Report_Discusses_Censorship_Of_Science.cfm
In this article, it is talking about a government banning results of certain science researches. Censorship of science shows no respect for knowledge as the basis of democracy, and the commitment to the free exchange of ideas to ensure that knowledge is shared. In such an environment, can a society ever progress?
Censorships are used to "protect people from obscene materials and other information which can pose a threat to the social sercurity and stability of the nation. To some extent, censorships is important especially when information are available to us anywhere and anytime.
However, I still believe that censorship is not beneficial to the society on the whole---no matter it is now or back in the past. If you hear of how Hitler control the media, you will agree with me that it is anti-liberal and tyrannical. Why? This is because it restricts what we can know and not what the higher authorities want us to know. Is one informationalways correct or should we look at the other viewpoints or other articles so as to get a beeter picture? I think the answer is rather obvious. Is censorship some sort of propaganda, I gree that it is to a certain extent. By restricting what you know, can make it easier for others to persuade you. Censorship leads to ignorance and I do not support censorship at all.http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/propaganda_in_nazi_germany.htm
Moreover, with globalisation taking place, censorship is no longer relevant. People can easily get information from the world wide web with no one stopping him. Information spreads and by the time you know it, a major event may be available to you seconds after the actual thing happened. In this example, http://ncac.org/entertainment/20070312~ME-Belfast~Defend_Free_Speech_on_the_Public_Airwaves.cfm, a broadcaster was banned for airing his views on politics. I agree that personal views can be disruptive and misleading, but with education, I think that people will be able to differ from what is right and wrong and thus, make correct judgements.
http://ncac.org/science/20070312%7EUSA%7ENew_Report_Discusses_Censorship_Of_Science.cfm
In this article, it is talking about a government banning results of certain science researches. Censorship of science shows no respect for knowledge as the basis of democracy, and the commitment to the free exchange of ideas to ensure that knowledge is shared. In such an environment, can a society ever progress?
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