Influence of the Media on Social Life - Research Paper Example

NEWS MEDIA al Affiliation) Introduction In the recent years, the media channels have been ed to myriad criticism, with some people arguing that some media stations have been sliding profits. On the other hand, some media stations have been characterized by manipulation of information while others have been associated with spreading propaganda and plagiarizing other people’s information. In some cases, some critics have argued that the modern media stations are undertaking actions that exhibit an essence of lowering audiences (http://ajrarchive.org n.d). In the United States, there have been issues ascribed to media omissions, provision of inaccurate data as well as distortion of information. These issues are currently becoming acknowledged in various parts of the United States as well as in places out the country. These problems have created a challenge among the populaces in relation to accessing open and objectivity of the views surrounding issues affecting the global population (http://ajrarchive.org n.d). However, the major question that arises taking these factors and challenges into consideration, is does the media pose a significant effect and impact within the society? Thesis Statement This research will analyze several texts to explore dimension of information disseminated by the media and their significant impact within the contemporary society specifically focusing on: Celebrity news, advertisement, political influence on news coverage, time allocated to news coverage Discussion Celebrity News Celebrity news has been gaining gradual popularity in the contemporary society; however, the level of its popularity has been perceived to be growing at a slower rate as compared to other news such as, politics, terrorism, economic development as well as social development (http://jou.sagepub.com n.d). Some critics have argued that the rise of the popularity of celebrity news has not been associated with a corresponding increase in the respect of this dimension of journalism in the modern society. This has been based on the fact that many people tend to associate with information that directly affects their lives such as news related to national economic status et cetera. In addition, critics have alluded that the hindrance with regard to increase of respect towards celebrity news has been facilitated by the manner through, which celebrity news is produced (http://jou.sagepub.com n.d). Research has shown that the credibility and the standards of celebrity news have been reduced by the fact that this form of journalism is usually manipulated by celebrities themselves, who in most cases undertake the direct responsibility producing the news (http://jou.sagepub.com n.d). Another factor that has affected the rise of respect directed towards celebrity news is the fact that in most cases celebrity news is characterized by producing certain information associated with some celebrities with a negative image within the society. Moreover, the slow rate of celebrity news recognition has been associated with the fact that celebrity news is at times characterized by gossip, which forms its basis (http://jou.sagepub.com n.d). Advertisement Advertisement is another component of news that has been associated with a lot criticism. Most media critics have alluded that the information disseminated represents a great sense of unrealities taking into consideration real aspects of the society. Most advertisement focusing of marketing beauty products have continuously involved the use of a woman or a man with a perfect body (Stewart 2002). However, on a real basis, the society is characterized by a scenario where people have varying body shapes and sizes, which depend on the genetics of an individual as well as the lifestyles that is led by an individual. Analysts have argued that such kind of information may not attract the attention of people who do not feel represented by the adverts; that is, those with body sizes or shapes that are not similar to the models body (Stewart 2002). Taking these factors into consideration, it is evident that advertisement can affect the society on certain specific targets i.e. people who feel or are perceived to have perfect body shapes. Some people have asserted that some advertisements have affected women through certain stereotypes and negative ideologies regarding their physical image (Stewart 2002). Additionally, in some cases, advertisements have been negatively criticized especially when women or men are portrayed negatively for instance: Advertisement or music where women or men appear to be used as sex symbols or objects of sexual pleasure. Some media critics have argued that the current modes of information dissemination especially in relation to advertisement have created a scenario where the self-esteem of either men or women is negatively affected. To begin with, advertisement that portrays men with worked out physics or even women that seem to have a perfect body shape have had a significant effect on their self-esteem, specifically reducing it. Psychologists have claimed that this has compelled people who feel they are not perfect in relation to body size to take measures considered extreme to their health (Stewart 2002) Time Allocated to War News Coverage The popularity of some aspects of news has also been affected by the amount of time allocated to some specific programs. For instance, a recent article indicated that Fox News usually allocate minimum time to programs that focus on war issues (http://www.foxnews.com n.d). However, some people also argue that Fox News spend a significant amount of time covering issues ascribed to War in Iraq comparing it to media channels like MSNBC, which appears to cover a relatively equal amount of time on all its programs. These factors have been associated with the development of an ideology of favorite media channel i.e. those that prefer watching MSNBC News owing to the fact that it does not focus so much on war with those that prefer watching Fox News owing to the fact that it focuses on war, especially people with family members in Iraq or any other part of the world that is affected by war (http://www.foxnews.com n.d). According to John Klein, the CNN U.S President, the reason why some media channels prefer not to cover detailed information regarding war to avoid cheerleading or creating tension among the American populace. He also asserts that media houses vary to a great extent in relation to the priorities they give to different dimensions of information and tend to spend different amounts of time on the information they award a higher priority. Influence of Politics on News Coverage Another dimension of criticism has been directed towards the effects of politic on information disseminated by media channels. In an article written by Kevin Coe, it is pointed out the George W. Bush had a significant impact on the kind of information disseminated among the American populace in relation to the Iraqi War. The article points out the kind of relation that existed between President George W. Bush and the press that was in charge of providing the information related to the war in Iraq (Coe 2011). One aspect of this relationship was facilitated by the fact that President Bush applied modes of communication tactics that encouraged the press to portray him in a positive manner and favorite in relation to the success of the war in Iraq (Coe 2011). Taking this factor into consideration, it is obvious that the information provided by media can be manipulated to suit the needs of certain political leaders or even other elite stakeholders. References Coe, K. (2011). George W. Bush, Television News, Rationales for Iraqi War. New York: Routledge. FOXNews.com. (n.d.). Fox News. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2007Jun11/0,4675,APonTVFoxapossWar,00.html Is Celebrity News, News?. (n.d.). Is Celebrity News, News?. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://jou.sagepub.com/content/15/2/144 Rediscovering the World   . (n.d.). American Journalism Review. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://ajrarchive.org/article.asp?id=2443 The Associated Press Ignores Paris Hilton News in Weeklong Experiment. (2007, March 1). Fox News. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/03/01/associated-press-ignores-paris-hilton-news-in-weeklong-experiment/ Stewart, J. (2002). The news media. San Diego, Calif.: Lucent Books. Read More