Understanding the influential dominance the media has in today’s world is truly scary. The term "media" was first used two centuries ago when newspapers were created, is now an idea of global convenience serving as the backbone of our interconnecting societies. It has come to a point where it is as necessary as having food or water. And is an advancement that we don’t know how long, will play a reliable role for our global stabilization. It is both good and evil. Good, in terms of being a world voice that tells our stories. Evil, as it is unhealthy for society when abused by people who exercise it for the wrong reasons.
Our civilization is influenced by the media in so many ways. It is a medium that meets the expectations of being informative, entertaining, educational and connecting the world’s societies. And obtains a defining duty of keeping people informed on what is happening in the world around them. Whether it be through news, television, film, print or online, people decide what information to take and how they interpret it. It is amazing how much influence the media has on people’s perception of the world, and is rewarding. But has significantly demonstrated its capability of being damaging.
The media is power and money. A deadly combination that many people strive to obtain. And it is exactly why people with significant roles in the media abuse it. They manipulate it and mold it to their advantage. The media is performing a rising danger of actions driven by selfish attitudes from individuals, companies, organizations. And with these motives, the stories and events worthy of depicting what happens in our world, have their elements of truth erased. People receive depictions that are false. Depictions that are twisted, dramatized, and exaggerated by producers of the media, for their satisfaction of obtaining mass and loyal viewership.
Regardless of whether someone is a producer or consumer of the media, both sides are unaware of how destructive the platform can be. It seems that as of today, receivers of the media can be classified as victims, as there are many who are too naïve and trusting of both “real world” news, and entertainment. Granted more people understand that work in the entertainment industry is artistically driven. It makes sense for things to not seem real. But specifically pointing out digital news, and social media, it is easily acceptable to say that the so-called “truth” of released information is stranger than fiction.
Let’s start with digital news. The reason for the non-inclusiveness of print news is that there are no additional elements added to increase a story’s visual appeal, except maybe a photo. A reporter gathers the facts and information needed and then writes the story. Plain and simple. Digital news is an amazing tool. And the convenience is impeccable. Multiple stories can be delivered within minutes, with additional graphics to help draw people’s attention. What’s unfortunate about our society today is that people respond to drama. Why? People like to experience things and events that don’t seem real. Things and events that surprise us and are shocking. It has become part of our human nature. And it is why news platforms include false elements of drama into stories that may not appear so interesting by itself. Even if some don’t want to, they basically have to. At the end of the day, viewership is what pays their bills.
Social media. Yes, it has revolutionized our society and has been the largest advancement in communication the world has ever seen. It is without a doubt the most influential media outlet. But is also the most damaging, in terms of mental effects on its users. Take online interaction between individuals, through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and online dating. Individuals are exposing themselves to each other at a high level, that is if they’re active users of their accounts. When looking at someone’s profile, there are many visuals (photographs, videos) that can lead people to think they know “so much” about that person. Granted, people who have a world in social media are likely to present themselves with as many elements of truth as they approve. But the bottom line is that the most someone can gain from viewing another individual’s life online is a baseline idea of who they “are.” The baseline idea that people can obtain of each other forms a preconceived idea within an individual’s mind of whatever person they digitally interact with. Preconceived ideas that alter real life interaction amongst humans.
There is no doubt how unreal it is, the advancement the media has generated amongst our human civilization. But it has come to a point where people need to develop a radar of common sense. A radar that can detect what and what not to believe when presented with the so-called “truth” of what is going on in the world. It’s hard to say who is to blame for the actions and thoughts from people on both sides of the spectrum. Producers of the media who initially developed attitudes of greed, and ignore any morals or ethics to wrongly obtain money and power. Or, consumers of the media who initially demanded more advanced elements of storytelling. Always wanting to experience something different, no matter what it takes amongst the industry. Regardless, the media is affecting our world positively in terms of convenience, and negatively in terms of what is “true.” The negative effect is dangerously becoming more present. And the industry needs to recognize and be careful to not let it destroy the success in advancement the medium has created. If the media is reintroduced to its initial and truthful responsibility, there is no telling how much it can reduce the alarming flaws that are dangerously present. We’ll see.
