Media, Culture and Society.Content Analysis - Essay Example

Content Analysis of Children’s Film in Canada Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact Content Analysis of Children’s Programs in Canada: Introduction: This paper analyzes the content of “Violence in Children’s Programs in Canada,” by evaluating a major TV broadcast. Television a highly popular media that most people have access to and violent and sensual content have become very common characteristic of the programs being telecast in the present day. Violence has become the casual ingredient of almost every program in TV and it has become a serious problem for children. In this context, children in Canada need special attention in one area. Wrestling portrays explicit violence to which kids are exposed. They often watch such programs for about 14 hours in television each week. Aim of the Analysis: The aim of this analysis is to disclose the features of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to the concerned parents and government, exploring the negative by products of it and their ramifications, to deal with the questions: What are the effects of such content on children below 14yrs? What are the measures and tools to tackle the issue? Methodology and Possible Bias: The primary research question relates to the extent of violence in the media and its overall impact on children in Canada. Sampling, statistical and psychological analysis will constitute the premise of the study to understand the effects of violence in children. The best methodology that suits such a study will be to analyse the content of the program and to assess the violence it depicts. Besides, a review of the current literature that concerns the impact of violent media on children can also throw light on the information required for a study of this nature. For a more detailed research, the study will have to comprise interviews with a sample population of children, child psychologists and sociologists. Some may defend that WWE is not that violent or harmful to adults or kids. However, the fact remains that such shows attract millions of viewers including children and media content is known to influence both children and adults. Sample: The program that is being analyzed in this paper is WWE, broadcasted by ‘Channel 53’ and ‘The Score’ in Canada. Broadcasting time is during night. The videos of this program are freely available in You Tube and other such media. Features and Statistics: “5.6 million” children in Canada fall in “0-14 age group” and children in primary school and older ones too watch TV for around 19 hours a week (Caron et al. 2010, pg.7). The television programs in Canada contain 29% action programs and due to this, children remain exposed to violent content. (Caron et al. 2010, pg.11). The Wrestling Observer reports that TV rating for “WWE Monday Night RAW” in the country has increased to “471,000 viewers” on 25th of July, 2011 (LaBrar, 2011, par.1). This suggests that the program is highly popular in Canada and, therefore, can affect a large number of children, if they watch the violence in this program. (Caron et al 2010). The violence depicted is absolutely unsuitable for children. The violent features of WWE include: Violent fights, abusive language, divas; all of which can corrupt children’s mind. Bloodshed is very common and the programs communicate a message of revenge and cruelty. Effects: Children in the process of development can have social, cognitive and physical problems when exposed to such extreme content in the media (Watching Wrestling Positively Associated with Date Fighting, Say Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center News Release, April 28, 2001). Such programs may also encourage violent behaviour in them (Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth, 2003). Those exposed to violence in the media may develop a personality, which tends towards violent, bitter and cruel conduct. Research evidence suggests that in the early periods when TV was not available in South Africa, crimes were less in the country but in the case of Canada and US, where TV was available, “crime rate went up” which suggests that “television caused crime” (Freedman, 2007, p.11). Observations: Media violence can be understood as the “visual portrayals of acts of physical aggression by one human or human-like character against another (Huesmann, 2007)” (Social Learning, the Media and Violence, 2010, par.3). WWE falls in the gamut of this definition. Thus, one can recognize that WWE, despite its entertainment value, it has a wide range of viewers in Canada, especially children, who are prone to get harmed. Exposure to violence can have serious negative impacts on them. Summary of Findings: WWE fights are mostly faked but entertaining. However, the violence it portrays appears real and can significally influence young minds. Kids all over the world, and in Canada, remain attracted towards TV viewing, action programs, and violent content. WWE in Canada is being broadcast through channels in night time, when children have the leeway of freedom, especially those who have personal TV sets in their bedrooms. Consistent results, produced by various studies, confirm that viewing violent content on TV tend to imitate the action and become “aggressive in new ways” (The Effects of Media Violence on Children, 1994, p.3). A review of the program itself reveals that it contains violence to an extent that can be harmful to children. Though most of the action is faked, the violence it portrays can still have an impact on the psychology of young children. This may entice them to engage in violent behaviour. A review of relevant literature on the topic of the impact of media violence on children has also confirmed the fact that violent content in movies and TV programs can impact children negatively. Thus, besides governmental control over the media content, it is also necessary that parents monitor the TV viewing habits of their children. Reflection: The experience of doing this research has been quite enlightening and rewarding. It has enabled me to view some of the episodes that have been telecast on TV. I have also sifted through some literature available on the topic. This has helped me to understand what kind of response the program has received from the public, critics and other stakeholders such as sociologists. Overall, the research has also helped me to understand that media producers have a primary responsibility towards the society, especially in the context of children who are the future of the nation. Thus, extreme violence needs to be avoided from programs that are being freely and frequently being made available to public. The problem that I faced with the methodology is a limitation of material specific to Canadian statistics and researches in this field of violence in wrestling and its effect on children. But one thing which is obvious is that WWE is violent and I get surprised when people say that it is merely entertaining and children are allowed to watch it. On the other hand, I have been able to locate a lot of material on the impact of violent media on children in general. The insight that I received from such sources are equally relevant in the context of WWE being telecast in Canada as the impact of all such programs are similar. Is all violence bad? This is a question that becomes valid in the modern day. Some violence like violence in Kids’ cartoon shows, e.g. Tom and Jerry are for entertainment. However, the range of violence and the reality in them put psychological pressure on children’s brain. WWE is explicit, raw action and its viewing among children needs to be discouraged. “Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunication commission CRTC” does take preventive measures to dissuade children from this violence and implement policies from time to time (Violence on TV, 2008, par.1). This is a good remedy for the problem to a certain extent. Parental guidance, however, is the best tool. More than instructing them always- “do this,” “don’t do that,” “watch this,” “don’t watch that” etc., giving a good moral guidance will be very effective. Reference List Caron, A. H. et al. (2010). A National Study on Children’s Television Programming in Canada. GRJM/CYMS, All Rights Reserved. Retrieved from Freedman, J. L. (2007). Television Violence and Aggression: Setting the Record Straight. The Media Institute, Arlington VA. Retrieved from Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth. (2003). Pediatrics and Child Health. Retrieved from LaBrar, J. (2011). RAW Ratings in Canada See Big Increase, WM 27 Special. Wrestle Zone. Retrieved from Social Learning, the Media and Violence. (2010). Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Retrieved from The Effects of Media Violence on Children. (1994). The National Clearing House on Family Violence, Canada. Retrieved from Violence on TV. (2008). Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Retrieved from Read More