CPCF 1F25: The media we want?

We are constantly surrounded by mass media in our everyday lives. That being said, an important question we can ask ourselves is: “Do we get the media we want, or want the media we get?” Personally, I believe that we get the media we want, because we are in control of what we take in - view, listen to, read, etc. Sure the mass media provides us with information on world news, pop culture, and popular tv shows/movies, but it is our choice as consumers to view/listen to the advertised products.

Television and movie producers are constantly trying to accommodate to their viewers needs. An example of this is the show Degrassi the Next Generation. This television series draws in younger viewers as it deals with different challenges that can be seen as relatable for many teens. Our textbook further explains how, “the media producers, in constructing their images and stories, are reflecting various social ideas and beliefs that are held by different social groups” (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler, 2012, p. 59). This proves that we get the media we want. The media constantly responds to social issues, and current events however it is ultimately, the audience’s decision to view the media.

The textbook also explains that, “consequently, there may be an interesting contradiction between the values of media producers and their audience’s desires, a contradiction that is revealed in the course of satisfying the imperative to popularity; there is thus a recognition of the powers of the audience/consumers to determine which media products succeed” (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler, 2012, p. 38). In other words, even thought producers/cast members might not like or agree with what they are providing us, as long as the audience is interested and they give good reviews, they will continue to provide us with what we want. As an example, I will use the television show Duck Dynasty. As stupid as some people may find it, it wouldn’t be aired without all its viewers. Many consumers are drawn to different reality shows like Duck Dynasty, which is why there are so many types of them.

            In conclusion, we as consumers are in total control of what we expose ourselves to and therefore we get what we want. At any point in time, we have the choice to get rid of certain medias. If we don’t like hearing about all the devastating stories in the news, then we have the choice to refrain from watching/listening to it. There might be a particular fashion style that is “in,” but if someone doesn’t like that style, they aren’t going to go out and buy clothes they don’t like. This can all be linked to individuality. If we don’t get the media we want, and instead want the media we get, wouldn’t everyone be similar because we would all desire what we see/hear in the media?

CPCF 1F25: Media Impact on Others

           While reading my classmate’s blogs, I was able to notice similar themes and insights from multiple people. First, many of my fellow peers discussed that although the media has an effect on their worldview, they have a filter; they know not to believe everything they hear. Mike Reid said, “It just goes to show that you can’t just take information from mass media at face value” (Reid: http://mikereidyes.blogspot.ca/). Some stories are misleading, leave out important facts, possess bias opinions, and furthermore, are false. Second, media can impact someone in a negative, or a positive way. Anthony Olufeko wrote in his blog, “For example the negative aspect of the media is revealed when the media shows Africa as a poor and weak nation, unable to support and govern its countries” (Olufeko: http://to12ls.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/1f25/). He further explains that the media only shows us harsh, saddening images- usually of people who are starving, in order to make us feel compassionate so that we want help them. When we think of Africa, we picture a struggling nation, rather than a continent as a whole. We rarely hear of positive occurrences or situations that are happening, as I believe it isn’t as beneficial to do so. Third, social media has a big impact on my generation, as a majority of teenagers heavily rely on these resources as a means of communication. In Grace Burgoyne’s post, she explains, “My generation has a different definition for what it means to communicate compared to other generations” (Burgoyne: http://souspression.weebly.com/blog.html). Our generation has had the opportunity to grow up as these new technological discoveries were created. The way we communicate with others is significantly different than the generation before us. Where these changes have been for better or worse, they impact the crucially impact the way we live today.

            For the most part- with a few exceptions, the mass media has had some sort of an impact on my peers, whether it be a small impact, or a significant one. I do not believe that someone could possibly not be impacted by this worldwide phenomenon, as it is always surrounding us. I can conclude that my impression of the media’s impact has not changed significantly, as I still feel as though I depend heavily on mass media, however I know when to believe something and when not to. If anything, this exercise-evaluating our peers views towards the mass media, has strengthened my own ideas, as well as opened my eyes to different thoughts and opinions.

Sincerely,

Shannon McGinnis

CPCF 1F25: Media Impact

In CPCF 1F25, we have leaned a lot about the mass media, and how it has come to be. Media is an enormous part of our lives, whether we want to believe or not. We are constantly surrounded by these technically developed industries, have it be the internet, television, advertisements, radio, newspapers, etc. Essentially, media is a means to gather information so we can be further educated on a topic. This being said, media can also be misleading and/or false. Personally, I believe that mass media has, and will continue to have a significant impact on my life and my worldview.

           

            One example in which the media has had an impact on my worldview was when my sister was planning on working in Turkey as a Nanny for a summer. This would have allowed her to travel all around Europe and experience different cultures, while obtaining summer employment. However, because of the way the media portrayed the country- with it being so close to Iraq and Iran, and negative stories about the violent acts, my family was very skeptical about that idea. Although the people that she would have worked for said it was a very safe, upper class area, it was not a risk my family was willing to take, because of what they had heard from mass media. This experience impacted my worldview as it made me more aware of the war crimes that were happening in Turkey and the seriousness of personal safety while travelling overseas.

            Another example I have when it comes to mass media is the whole “Kony 2012” campaign. Jason Russell created a video about Joseph Kony- the leader of the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda. Jason’s video went viral, and soon sparked a global awareness of the injustice that was happening to innocent children. Millions of people including myself acted upon this by spreading the world on social media, putting up posters, donating money, and rallying. This just proves how myself and many others around the world are easily influenced by the media. I believe this campaign was mostly directed towards kids and teenagers as it was primarily advertised through social media. This experience impacted my worldview as I was able to understand the crime that was taking place in Uganda. Although there were some issues of controversy after the video was released, it didn’t change the fact that people became more aware of child soldiers and child prostitution.

            As a young adult, I am constantly exposed to different forms of mass media. There are pros and cons to mass media; I have been educated on certain things I wouldn’t have normally known, but I have also been raised to not believe everything I hear and see.

Shannon McGinnis