What exactly is media? It is the means to communication, like radios, televisions, newspapers, and magazines, that reach people widely. Media provides us with information, entertainment, and relief. As technology has become a crucial part of our every day lives, we are continuously exposed to media, such as the World Wide Web. While we all have the freedom and ability to make our own decisions, how much does the media influence our decisions? I believe a lot. This is why when people are asked about their stand on affirmative action, their decisions are not entirely their own.
The University of Houston wrote an article called Affirmative Action and the Media: A Mixed Method Analysis of News Coverage of U.S. Supreme Court Cases that lists ways the media misleads the public on affirmative action. For example, it used the "politics of fear" which scared people on the negative effects of affirmative action, including increased terrorism. Media also portrays affirmative action a war between blacks and whites. Most of the time Hispanics, Native Americans, and women do not even come into the picture. The media puts out facts and statistics valuable to convincing the audience what it supports. That is why you see several different standpoints on any matter put forward to the public.
There is always a blind spot in whatever the media puts out. Therefore, before you go on making a decision on an issue, be sure to do your research. Do not just believe in what you see or hear. The media tries to trick you; your safest bet is to analyze the situation yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment