Do we get the media we want, or want the media we get?

Between the two relationships media and society, we look at two models. The two models that the textbook written by O’shaughnessy & Stadler include: media reflect the realities, values, and norms of a society versus media affects what people think (p.42) Based on my experience, I believe that media does affect what people think, what they believe, and how they behave. Instead of society creating a path for media, I do think that media affects our society and controls the direction of society. At times, I would compare media as a powerful weapon such as a gun that’s in the wrong hands that could be triggered anytime.

According to the textbook Media and Society, this model believes that “the media construct our values for us and have a direct effect on our actions” (p.43) On average, one will watch television for 8 hours, however, one may not consider the influence that it has on us. The news that we watch and hear every day helps us stay connected, however, the media could easily influence your behaviour and thoughts of a story. That said, let’s take the 9/11 attack of the twin towers, after the event, so many people have looked down on Muslims because of the way media portrayed them. This shows how media affects how and what we learn about the world.

When mentioned earlier as media being a power weapon, by this I mean that the message that is being conveyed is not always direct but it is rather hidden. Although they are not exactly telling you what is considered the norm, we know what the media is presenting to us and what is considered acceptable. For example, what we should wear, how we should look and what we should buy. Although, one may not feel the same way, I do find that at times people start to adjust and adapt what media presents to them to fit in. Now a days, to not have a smart phone would sometimes be look down upon and be considered uncool.

All in all, I do believe media creates a path for us. By this I mean media does affect what people think, what they believe, and how they behave. Therefore I believe we want the media we get.

-       Ingga

1F25 – BLOG RESPONSE – MEDIA IMPACT ON OTHERS

As mentioned earlier in my blog, I have stated that mass media has affected us one way or another. After reading several blogs by my peers, I realized many of them shared the same view as me; on the other hand many viewed mass media as a negative thing that I have not thought about to a full extent.  When writing my blog, I was only focusing on what did media do for me, rather than what did mass media do for the society as a whole.

I found Brandon Lewis’s blog (http://brandonlewis94.wordpress.com/) to be humorous and fascinating to read. A line that had caught my attention is when Brandon mentioned “ I am constantly checking the world of sports though, whether it be on my phone, the computer, the television, print (at times), or even just the word of mouth” because for I do it too.  We, as individuals are so intrigued with the latest news, that we feel like we have to always be connected. For instance, the royal baby, one might not follow the royal news, with mass media, you will know the gender of the baby before he or she even brought to life.  I’m constantly checking my phone for the latest basketball, or even celebrity news in hopes something new has happened, and when I’m not on my phone, I check my laptop. Even though I’m sure not much has changed within the 5 minutes interval from putting my phone down, to turning my laptop on.

With that being said, although I may view the mass media as a positive aspect in our lives, I didn’t realize the negativity that comes with it. In Alana Lutz’s blog (http://itsalanalutz.wordpress.com/), she brought up a side that I didn’t acknowledge. Alana brought up body image, which I think is very important to touch base on.  As she quoted in her blog “Body image for example, is an issue many young women face on a daily basis. These young women sometimes have very low self-esteem, and constantly compare themselves to what they see in the media" I agree with this 100%, I know many of my friends back when I was in high school, who would try to keep up with this image that is considered beautiful, that it got so unhealthy. Media sells you this idea that skinny is in, but in my opinion what happen to that sexy look that Marilyn Monroe had?  In reality, these models don’t even look like themselves especially not with the help of airbrush, and Photoshop.

Although mass media could affect an individual, I forgot how easily media could twist your whole view on a whole community. In Adelina Ferati’s blog (http://adelina23.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/1f25-post-1-media-impact/) she has opened up my eyes so much about mass media. I’m so caught up in the news they feed me, that I forget that it could have negative impact on one. Not all the time media shed positive lights, and with Adelina situation is being one. With the 9/11, media has made her and her family as a target. In her blog she wrote “I was raised and am a Muslim and after the 9/11 attack, students that knew I was a Muslim were afraid to talk to me and even criticised me. It’s not fair that the media can target a certain group of people just to keep their rates up.” The moment media has attach the word “terrorist” to Muslim, one will or may start to become judgemental. For example, for heartthrob Zayn Malik in boy band One Direction, receives this negativity as well because he Is Muslim.

It is great to know that there are so many views and thoughts about mass media. Has this changed my view? Absolutely, yes! Here I thought, mass media was an amazing thing that helps me stay well connected, but the moment mass media is brought into our life, there’s always a positive and negative side.