Tv And Media Effect Essay
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Television is a vital source from which most Americans receive information. News
and media delegates on television have abused theirs powers over society through
the airing of appealing news shows that misinform the public. Through literary
research and experimentation, it has been proven that people's perception of
reality has been altered by the information they receive from such programs.
Manipulation, misinterpretation, word arrangement, picture placement and timing
are all factors and tricks that play a major role in the case. Research,
experimentation, and actual media coverage has pinpointed actual methods used
for deceptive advertising. Television influences society in many ways. People
are easily swayed to accept a belief that they may not normally have unless
expressed on television, since many people think that everything they hear on
television is true. This, however, is not always the case. It has been observed
that over the past twenty to thirty years, normal social behavior, even actual
life roles of men and women and media, regulatory policies have all been altered
(Browne 1998). Media has changed with time, along with quality and
respectability. Many Americans receive and accept false information that is
merely used as an attention grabber that better the show's ratings and
popularity. Many magazines and Journal reviews have periodically discussed the
"muckraking" that many tabloid shows rely on to draw in their viewers.
This involves sensationalizing a story to make it more interesting, therefore
increasing the interest of the audience. "Along the way, all sorts of
scandalous substance and goofy tricks appear, but not much mystery in the
logic," (Garnson 1997). People often know that these shows aim to deceive
them, but still accept the information as truth. Many times, people have strong
opinions on certain topics. Yet, when they are exposed to the other side of the
argument, they may be likely to agree with the opposite view. As Leon Festinger
said, "If I chose to do it (or say it), I must believe in it," (Myers
1997). This is an example of Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory, which
pertains to acting contrary to our beliefs. Television influences many people to
change their original beliefs. It has the viewers think that the majority of
other people hold the contrary idea. Once these views are presented, people have
the option to hold strong to their beliefs or conform to what they feel the rest
of society believes. Though conforming is not necessarily bad, it can confuse
people and therefore allow them to believe false ideas. When someone is under an
informational social influence and is willing to change their views, the fine
line between the truth and fiction is clouded. It is; however, important to keep
an open mind and not let any personal prejudices influence a decision on an
important topic. Though agreeing with an idea simply to be accepted by others in
society is questionable. Joseph Joybert, an essayist from the eighteenth century
once said, "Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more
than they love truth" (Myers 1997). Which emphasizes the importance of
open-mindedness. Television is in the convenient position of being able to
influence people when they are most vulnerable. Open-mindedness can often be
treated as gullibility and therefore used as a tool to manipulate people's
beliefs. Daschmann has stated a reason for this gullibility. He claims that a
certain amount of gullibility or understanding of certain news shows comes with
social factors. Some people are raised with a different education and status
with society than others, which hinges on the perception of the different news
shows and material. But the individual differences and character traits do not
have a bearing on the subject matter (Daschmann & Kepplinger 1997). These
news shows then place the ball in the public's court and they must figure out
what to do with it themselves. It is very difficult for normal people to know
whom to believe. So many intelligent Americans accept the information that they
receive from television because they could not imagine being deceived. They
think only morons can be influenced by television, but do not even realize how
easily they are confusing truth for fiction and tabloid fluff. The tabloid shows
are so questionable that even those within the industry are unsure of their
motivations. According to Zoglin, these programs "┘ are scorned by
mainstream journalists, dismissed by most critics, laughed at by many viewers.
Yet when sensational crimes and celebrity scandals grab the nation's attention,
these are the shows that do the spadework, uncover the dirt, and get the scoops.
Their style may be cheesy and there tactics dicey, but they are doing a lot of
old-fashioned, roll-up-your-sleeves journalism," (Zoglin 1997). Of course
these shows need to work hard on their stories, but their reasons are not always
for the sake of reporting the truth. Tabloid news programs serve the purpose of
entertainment for the public, and in order to ensure good ratings, they must
produce the best stories. These stories seem well put together and researched,
but this should not make them seem any more truthful than the thrown-together,
late- breaking and unorganized news we see on legitimate news program. Deborah
Baldwin wrote about how the media spoon-feeds us the news and how the general
public routinely eats it up (Moser 1998). Media is so caught up in ratings, cash
and the bottom line that other quality factors are thrown aside. Language is
altered, the truth is stretched and the flesh is multiplied. Unfortunately, most
Americans eat it up every day. There is a problem that society must deal with.
This problem is that as long as there are people who will tune into these
tabloid news shows and accept the information that they receive as truth, these
shows will be getting exactly what they want and will continue to confuse the
public for entertainment value. Joshua Gamson argues that all of the major
networks risk their trust-based credibility and televise only
audience-attractive stories (Gamson 1997). Tabloid shows may try to change their
reputation, but the reality seems to be that many people know that these shows
are questionable but tune in anyway. People are confused by the information they
receive and will be as long as they allow themselves access to shows that will
alter the truth of a topic. In 1996, during the O.J. Simpson trial, two news/
media shows were both observed and compared. The focus was on what was the main
story and how were they presented. Bruce Sanford of Media Studies Journal
evaluates the difference in free press and free trial. The fact of the matter
is, an innocent until proven guilty mindset is thrown out the window when it
comes to a case of this media covered caliber, "The phrases free press and
fair trial are Anglo-American ideals, often presented as if they are at odds
with each other." He continued by saying "Since the mid-1980's no
decision has addressed the media's First Amendment rights to cover the courts,
reflecting a judicial attitude towards the media, bordering on contempt"
(Sanford 1998). The two shows evaluated in the study clearly handicapped Mr.
Simpson in a fair trial arrangement. They twisted, manipulated and controlled
what the public would think and feel about the O.J. trial. Students from North
Central College conducted a small, on-campus experiment. The "TV
Reality" survey showed evidence that television has changed people's
perception of reality. The students were given a short quiz that tested to see
what kind of information they were receiving from the news and media. One of the
points was to see how effective and accurate the information was to the
students. One of the questions asked was "What is the homicide rate in
America per one hundred thousand population?" More than the majority of the
students whom took the survey was incorrect upon answering this question. TV and
the media have slowly over-saturated our mainstream of thinking so that what we
see on TV is what we perceive as truth. When in actuality, nothing could be
farther from the truth. An explanation why so...
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