Mass Media: Beware.
October 25, 2009
Finally, my 7th post. I’m not going to lie.. I didnt exactly enjoy reading about Mass Media as much I did on other topics; Culture or Interpersonal Relationships. Probably because its a dry topic, or maybe its due to the fact we hear all about mass media everyday.
I decided to share with you guys my views about Mass Media on the whole. Today, we rely heavily on information presented to us through Mass Media. We process this information, use it to do whatever we have to do. The decisions we make daily are influenced by our culture (I just love talking about culture 
) as well as what we learn in school or through experiences. The Mass Media (MM) comes in when we use to it learn about news current affairs. Of course, its our source of entertainment too. One should ALWAYS have protect their own views. Sadly, the MM easily colours one’s perception.
1) The MM Exaggerates and Alarms
Remember the hype on the Swine Flu case? Yes. We first learnt about it through MM (be it newspapers, television, or the internet). Above is an artist’s perception on MM. To him, the intensity of the Swine Flu case was EXAGGERATED and therefore, this shows how easily the public can be alarmed by what they learn from the MM.
What do you guys think? Do you believe the MM did what it should to inform and protect the public? Or it was just another example on how the mass media is able to instill fear and alarm in the people?
A picture says a thousand words.
In this cartoon, the artist believes that the MM INITIMIDATES, MANIPULATES, EXPLOITS AND INDOCTRINATES. To what extent is the artist right? I believe that there are times we, as consumers, are easily manipulated by advertisements. Through logos, ethos and pathos, we make sense of the advertisement and eventually feel inclined to purchase their product. How about Singapore’s Navy and Airforce advertisements? Take the Navy one for instance; they filmed it in a way that everyday in the navy is an adventure. Do you think they are a form of exploitation to males, or they are truthfully depicting what takes place in the army.
I like this cartoon. It clearly shows the effects MM have on us. We are so interested in the lives of celebrities, that sometimes we deem what is acceptable by these public figures. For example, singer Lindsay Lohan is portrayed as a party girl. Fans of her who watched her grow up from ‘Parent Trap’ kid actress to wild child may negatively influenced by her behaviour. The MM constantly exposes sexual images when it comes to stars like her. In the eyes of the media, she could be seen as successful, rich and popular. Youths out there are easily persuaded by the MM.
Think about Nicole Richie and her serious case of Anorexia. Just how many youths today are fighting anorexia because of how the MM gives the impression that to be attractive, you have to be slim/skinny.
Lastly, I thought I would share with you this cartoon I found to be really cute. True, though.
October 28, 2009 at 11:53 am
Hi Stefanie, I just came across your blog and found it really interesting to see someone (presumably in their teens) to have such mature views on culture, the media and the thinking processes that people might have.
You have managed to not only inform but also manage to interest me (I believe the other readers as well) in such topics. For a communication project, you have aptly made use of cartoon stips, pictures and videos. With a fine balance of informative thoeries, personal opinions and reflective questioning, I believe your project should be well-received.
Unlike some other blogs that I have come across, they focus too much on lumping the facts all into a single post and fail to carry about their own views and fail to question the reader.
All in all, a great effort and a pleasure to read!
Cheers,
Clifton.
November 5, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Hi Stef, I totally agree with you that the Mass Media had somehow moralized certain point of views or beliefs that made the audience unknowingly uphold these so-called values which are mostly just gimmicks from profit-driven advertisers.
In addition, what the Mass Media can offer us are mostly filtered. Thus, we do not receive every piece of story or event that happened which means much information are left out.
Therefore,we should always evaluate the mass media’s messages objectively and we need to be sensitive in a sense that these media messages do not create a negative socio-cultural impact.
November 8, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hey,
I think that its not whether the media in singapore made swine flu such a frightening issue.i think based on personal view, i think the it is the media’s role in the country.I mean people tend to only act when they are in intense fear right.haha
however, I think the media has to be moderate too.
I mean who wants exaggerated information.
good post:)
November 8, 2009 at 3:39 pm
To Liying: I couldnt agree more with your last point! Our perception and the way we choose to interpret content from Mass Media is indeed v impt as it will influence future behaviour. Thanks for taking time off to read this!
November 8, 2009 at 3:45 pm
To Leet Sern : You have a point. Im guessing you mean its the media’s role to inform and alert the public. Yes that is true. But in the case of this Swine Flu, the severity of the whole epidemic was actually exaggerated. It was because it was a new type of flu, hence the media blew up the whole issue and made it appear more fatal than it actually was.
Thanks for your comment