HUM/186
October 28, 2013
Effects of Mass Media
In 1993 the most popular video game was the super Nintendo. The super bowl had one solo performer for the halftime show for the first time ever and it was Michael Jackson. The World Wide Web, which was only 4- years old, announced that it would be free for anyone to use, and word of mouth was the only source of social media ("Where Were You on This Day In 1993?", 2013). Fast forward 20 years and the most popular game is Candy Crush, which can be accessed from a number of devices, and the super bowl halftime show is almost as big as the game itself. Social media is everywhere, and has replaced many traditional forms of communication.
Developments in the evolution of mass media over the last century.
Reading the morning paper was the way many Americans caught up on the local news as well as news around the country. Print media, television, and radio were the main methods of mass media for the longest. If there was any news to report one would have to wait until the nightly news came on in order to find out about it. It was a privilege to have a television in the home. Since then households have increased their zettabyte usage by 350 percent since 1980 (Lule, p 24, 2012). Now it is not uncommon for a home to have a TV in every room, and every member of the family to have a social media account. Every form of media has evolved since the last century. Now the world has access to media at their finger tips. The morning paper can be read from any mobile device, and one can even get news updates through their social media feeds. Radio is not just confined to the radio in the home or the car. With the invention of satellite radio a person can take their favorite radio station on the go with them. Television has come so far that now you do not have to be in the house to be tuned into your favorite program. Many channels are now offering full episodes on their websites, and if you don’t have access to the websites you can record it with your DVR or watch it on your smartphone or other mobile device.
How did each development influenced culture?
In the late 19th century only those that was privileged to have money was able to have access to other sources of media such as being able to go to the theater to see motion pictures or stage plays. These were the same people that were able to afford a television in the home. The emergence of mass media also allowed people on one side of the country so see how people on the other side of the country lived and dressed. This allowed cultures, personal styles and tastes to merge. Since television, print and radio are not the main sources of mass media anymore, now people are starting to question the validity of the information they are getting. People used to watch the news and read the newspaper and never once question where the information came from or its validity. Since the emergence of blogs and YouTube, everything is questioned. There was a time when there were only the major television stations that reported the news, and they had the same broadcasters all the time. It was like they were a part of your family. Now there are dozens of news channels, not to mention the channels like CNN and MSNBC. The only drama that was seen on television was the soap operas, whereas, now there are more reality shows than there are actual TV sitcoms.
Media convergence and its affect on everyday life.
The term media convergence means that the lines are getting blurred between the traditional forms of media and they almost are becoming one. Ten years ago the lines between media was clearly defined, today not so much. When the lines are blurred between media, we are susceptible to biased opinions being reported. This is where the gatekeepers come in. Sometimes having a gatekeeper can be a good thing and sometimes not. Gatekeepers are the persons or groups of people that decide what information is to be printed or aired. Even with the gatekeepers there is a chance that the information we receive will be biased because the writer is influenced by a particular source, which often happens in politics and government (Wendt & Spohn).
In conclusion
Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in all its forms (Films Media Group, 2007). It is important to have media literacy in today’s world because it is easy to be over exposed to information and taking in all in on a subconscious level leaves you vulnerable to take in information that is not needed. Everything that you see on TV or on the internet is not always for your good. Many advertisers will put subliminal message in their ads to make you think you need what ever it is that they are selling. When you have media literacy it allows you to formulate your own opinion of the information you take in. If individuals would use critical thinking, and become more media literate, mass media can be used to enhance our lives and culture every day.
References
Where were you on this day in 1993? (2013). Retrieved from http://medialiteracyproject.org/blog/where-were-you-day-1993
Wendt, T., & Spohn, A. (n.d.). The role of mass media in modern american culture. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/americanpoliticalparanoia/the-role-of-mass-media- in-american-political-culture
Films Media Group. (2007). Understanding Media Literacy [Multimedia]. Retrieved from Films Media Group, HUM/186 - Media Influences on American Culture website
References: Where were you on this day in 1993? (2013). Retrieved from http://medialiteracyproject.org/blog/where-were-you-day-1993 Wendt, T., & Spohn, A. (n.d.). The role of mass media in modern american culture. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/americanpoliticalparanoia/the-role-of-mass-media- in-american-political-culture Films Media Group. (2007). Understanding Media Literacy [Multimedia]. Retrieved from Films Media Group, HUM/186 - Media Influences on American Culture website
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