Everywhere we look, newspapers and magazines, news stations and social media feed us stories about events happening around the world, politics and pop culture. Often times we jump at every opportunity to know what is happening in our favorite actor's life, what new tv show will be airing on ABC next month, who will be the next president or the latest fashion trend. We are constantly fed information on anything and everything, and most of the time, we don't bother to confirm the authenticity of our sources. From pop culture to the state of our nation, events are depicted as far worse or far too plainly as they are in actuality. We do not always get the full picture or the truth when we turn on our phones or read the latest issue of the newspaper.
Honesty is something lacking in media. In order for stories to get publicity or social media platforms and sources to get a following, stories are exaggerated and manipulated in order to serve the purpose of the storyteller. Sometimes what we are told by sources are so far from the truth, we are blinded to real issues and problems facing our nation and the world at large.
Now, some would say that the media is there to provide us with news and keep us updated on the current events, but most of the time, the media is using our apt attention to make money. That being said, not every media platform, station, channel or avenue is out to make money off our ignorance. There are plenty that try to keep us informed as honestly as they possibly can.
I think that it is so important for honesty to be the first pillar in the media, no matter the content and no matter the circumstance. We need access to information and the ability to know what is happening in our world without being fed lies or a diluted version of the truth. We need fearless content, and the ability to partake in how stories are being told in order to ensure that honesty is the strongest component within them. We need to be able to have freedom of the press and freedom of speech without being quieted, and without our voices being altered to fit ulterior motives.
In this day and age, the media is the number one source for information. When we want to hear the latest on an epidemic or tragic event, we turn to the news. When we want to hear about an upcoming movie or a celebrity scandal, we turn to tabloids. When we want to hear about the happenings of our town, we turn to our newspapers. When we turn to these things, it is imperative that we are given what we need, not what puts money into someone's pockets. It is vital that we are given the whole story, even if it makes us uncomfortable. It is time that we make media what it was intended to be: a platform for information, and information that brings about change.
