Effects of News Media

Effects of News Media
HUM 186
October 30, 2013
University of Phoenix

Effects of News Media

The effect of news on American culture today can be contributed to new technology; this technology that contains both positive and negative aspects is considered the journalism of the 21st century. An era of life that was simpler when radio, newspapers, and news films that brought the public information has been replaced with technology specifically the Internet. It is now inherent for individuals to have all the facts of current events at once; with the negative effect of that impulse receiving possibly incorrect information. The days of community and societal bond that was once the cornerstone of media distribution, has been replaced by means of communication that does not require face-to-face contact.
Information media outlets and professionals have a responsibility to the public to deliver information as well as the integrity of the information they disseminate to that public. The mass media domain moves at such a rapid pace it requires a media outlet to release information before their competitors because of this marketing strategy media outlets are not always able to uphold their social responsibility to the public audience. Television stations and news agencies are motivated by broadcast ratings and other outside influences; most common influences are the owners of these television stations and their sponsors. The level of investigative integrity, attention to detail, and accuracy are not in line with the standards that is expected from the public.
Journalist are first taught to remain unbiased and report the facts, so that news media would reflect the political views of all political parties, often fall prey to individuals who have undue influence over their publications. However, if journalists reported only the facts individuals of the public would not have agendas pushed onto them and would be given the information and opportunity to form their own opinions. Thought with the Internet and mass media production companies superimposing hidden agendas, because of the cash flow from sponsors and political parties, media illiterate individuals have little chance of coming to their own conclusions on matters of public interest. Singer Jim Morison said it best when he stated that, “Whoever controls the media controls the minds.”
Prior to the arrival of the Internet, newspapers could only reach a number of people based on the materials available; this has changed through the use of mass media that allows journalist to reach more viewers, at a lower cost. The growth of mass media has expanded to reach a more previously uneducated audience because of low cost management and easier accessibility through the Internet and television. Though the growth into Internet media journalism has increased the number of educated individuals, journalistic integrity is being called even more into question. For that reason Internet journalists can conceal their identity and thereby giving birth to the citizen journalist through active blogging.
The information that is at the publics fingertips through the use of technology, whether it be correct or not, has created instant gratification for readers in believing that they are now educated individuals. However, this can create an intellectual atrophy when individuals are looking to read what they want to hear instead of making educated opinions based on unbiased information. Social media, blogs, and even random website creators can write unfounded facts and release unsubstantiated information without fear of reprisal; when the idea of mass media consumption should be to educate and inform the commonwealth. By providing the public with knowledge of government, current events, and how society will contribute to their everyday lives. However, because of freedom of speech, the majority of the information individuals are subjecting themselves to, is a disgruntled point of view, such as Rush Limbaugh who has been broadcasting “The Rush Limbaugh Show” from Sacramento, California, since 1984.
The public, in general, places an abundant amount of faith in news agencies and other various forms of information media. Political bias, political agendas, or a prejudiced point of view that have a direct effect on the information these agencies reveal to the public. Journalistic responsibility is to promote accurate and up-to-date information to create a well-informed public capable of forming educated opinions.