We must never underestimate the profound influence of media. While it’s easy to dwell on its negative aspects, it's crucial we acknowledge the positive contributions it makes to our society. Media is a dynamic force, not only reflecting our values, but also giving people the power to shape and redefine them. So, how can we harness the potential of media for our personal and collective growth?
Media today takes myriad forms, from
traditional “old school” sources like books and newspapers to modern platforms
such as the internet, digital magazines, movies, and television. These diverse
channels persist and adapt to remain relevant in the mainstream, and each holds
sway over our perceptions and beliefs.
It’s long been said that "the pen
is mightier than the sword." While that saying has become cliche, it’s
true. Indeed, media can be a powerful weapon for disseminating ideas, both good
and bad. So, is this a good or a bad thing for humanity?
How Much Does the Media Influence Our Values?
Media wields a considerable influence
over the formation, preservation, and transformation of societal values. As
values serve as the bedrock of our communities, the responsibility falls upon
media to uphold or challenge traditional norms and instill fresh perspectives.
Over the past decade, media has noticeably impacted our values. Some folks on
both sides of the political spectrum argue that it’s overstepped its bounds.
Yet, we must recognize the dual nature of media influence to understand why this sort of
polarization has happened.
For better or worse, media has helped
ideas spread all over the world. With the invention of social media, these
ideas spread even more quickly. Some people have even suggested that social
media will eventually displace traditional media. While that’s
unlikely to happen completely, there’s no doubt that digital media isn’t going
to slow down in its exponential growth. This free flow of ideas allows people
even in obscure, less-developed countries to access information that they
couldn’t
have dreamed of having just a few years ago.
But in spite of any positives, one of
the major concerns often voiced about the global spread of media is the
promotion of celebrity culture. This phenomenon, while not entirely new, has
gained more prominence in our lives today than ever before. Additionally,
mainstream media sometimes skews news in pursuit of entertainment, placing
celebrity gossip on equal footing with significant global events. This is
because that’s what gets the most viewership, that’s what generates the most
revenue.
For all its ills, nevertheless, there’s
a silver lining to this media landscape. Media can expose hypocrisy and
falsehoods, with social media amplifying the speed at which this occurs. It’s a
platform for individuals to express their genuine selves and exercise their
freedom of speech. In essence, the impact of media on our values is a complex
interplay of both good and bad elements. We must each take a step back and use
our critical thinking skills to better understand both sides of this ongoing
debate.
Has Media “Americanized”
the World Too Much?
It’s true that the United States of America has long been
looked at as a global trendsetter. Many other cultures worldwide adopt American
innovations and customs, with varying degrees of success. For example, fast
food and blue jeans were invented in America, and both have become global
staples. This phenomenon, referred to as "Americanization," raises
the question of whether it’s beneficial or detrimental to humanity in general.
Critics argue that Americanization
erodes traditional values. But, culture and values evolve over time, regardless
of external influences. While media accelerates this process, it doesn’t force
anyone to adopt new ideas and values. It merely introduces them to people who
may choose to explore them. The consequences, then, whether positive or
negative, stem from individual choices rather than media itself.
Conservative elements of American
society have for quite some time railed against the media for eroding its own
values. But, that’s a debate far beyond the scope of this particular article.
However, there’s one related point we can touch on here: does the media today
simply reflect the cravings of a content-hungry society? Or is there something
more going on here to uncover?
Is
It True that Media Reflects What Society Craves?
Media often faces criticism for
catering to base desires like greed and lust. But, it never has and never will
create these cravings by itself; rather, these so-called “sinful temptations” are
inherent aspects of the human psyche. Is it problematic that media exploits
these desires for profit? Certainly, this sort of pandering to baser instincts
raises ethical concerns. However, media responds to what people want. So, like
any business, media outlets will seek financial success, even at the risk of
being scandalous — perhaps especially so.
While these outlets may prioritize
sensationalism over substance, especially in the newsroom, they are driven by
consumer demand. They aren’t morally obligated to uphold righteousness,
especially if it conflicts with their bottom line. The way that media is kept
in line with the majority opinion is by rejecting the product and demanding
change. This happens all the time, with shows and publications going away
because the demand was no longer there, and therefore, no advertising money to
be made.
So, we must ask ourselves why we allow
these businesses to make a profit off of such sensationalism. What is it we
really crave? We might think we want the unvarnished truth, or even a trusted
voice to tell us their opinion on what’s happening in the world. But more often
what happens is corporate interests get involved and tell people what they want
to hear instead. Still, this has been true long before modern media was ever
created; it’s human nature that we’d rather hear pretty lies than hard truths.
Should
Media Have a Moral Obligation to Upholding the Values of Society?
Asking whether media should bear a
moral obligation to uphold societal values is a complex question. Who determines which values
and ideas should be upheld me which others should be dismissed or even
chastised? Imposing too many restrictions on media risks turning it into a
propaganda machine; history has shown this happen on multiple occasions under
tyrannical regimes.
Human beings are imperfect creatures,
so a free media is bound to spread good with the bad. But, media itself has the
potential to do great things, and history has shown this, too. It’s
all about what you do with it. Nevertheless, in the age of social media, the
need for a commitment to truth and transparency in all forms of media is
stronger than ever. Rules governing hate speech and other inflammatory content
have been created with the aim to prevent tragedies, although it’s argued that
they do more harm than good. Still, media remains a vibrant and accessible
platform for expression. You just have to keep an open mind and take every bit
of content you encounter critically and mindfully.
So, should media be tied to a moral
obligation to upholding the values of society? The whole point of a free
society is to lift the obligation of the media to do just that. If there are
too many rules governing media, then what good is it but an advertising vehicle
for commercial and political interests? One can argue that the mainstream
media has always been just that.
No matter what rules you might make,
media is so free and accessible to everyday people now that no matter what, it
will be used, even if the rules have to be broken to do so. The rise of
alternative media on a grand scale, thanks to platforms like Patreon and
YouTube, has raised voices that never would’ve been heard just ten years ago.
Of course, there’s been plenty of positives to go with the negatives. But, as
with any human endeavor, it’s
our own personal choice of how we both create it and consume it.
Media is a transformative force,
capable of both good and bad outcomes. However, it’s essential to remember that
media itself isn’t the root cause of society's ills; it merely brings them into
the light. Just as it introduces us to beneficial ideas, it also reflects our
choices as creators and consumers. It's up to us to wield this powerful tool
responsibly, not let the media control us.
~ Amelia Desertsong
No comments:
Post a Comment