Mass media is a means of public communication for reaching a large audience. Walter Lippmann and Herman and Chomsky state their views on the role of the mass media and how this role fits into the principles of a democratic government. However, Lippmann's view in Public Opinion, and Herman and Chomsky's view in °A Propaganda Model" have sharply distinct ideas. While, Lippmann supports a more ideal use and role of the mass media to balance with the public's life conditions through control of the media, on the contrary Herman and Chomsky condemn the misuse of the media from control.
First, one must ask who provides information through the media. Lippmann indirectly argues in favor for control of the media. One of the major reasons for this is the news language spoken in the media. A language in which correct interpretation was difficult for common citizens to formulate. The average human being is unlikely to sit down and analyze the raw information provided by the media after a long day of work. Under this assumption, Lippmann argues that there should be a group of professional intellectuals interpreting what the media provides as news and public opinion. Lippmann¡¯s argument can thus be interpreted as a support for the control of the media to ensure sound opinions for the sake of national interest..
On the other hand, Herman and Chomsky feel that control of the media creates bias in the type and manner of information provided.
The debate issue it self is an impression, it is a result of thought derived from a specific sours that is most likely to be the media. . “Mass media is a term which connotes the means of a variety of media specifically designed for disseminating news and information to a large audience for a variety of r...
Mass media refers to the multiple platforms of communication that transmit information to a large number of people (Sociology Central, 1). Conventionally, mass media is a one-way communication that decimates only information, also known as traditional media – television, radio broadcast and print are such examples. With the advancement in technology and the Internet revolution it slowly evolved into another form – the new media, or social media. Now, it works on a two-way communication, which not only decimates information, but also provides a platform for feedback – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, are such examples (Sociology Central, 3).
Mass media is designed to reach large audiences through the use of technology. Its purpose is
In the Beyond Borders textbook on pages 60-74 Michael Parenti’s article “Mass Media: For the Many, by the Few” goes into great detail of the few corporations that control the media and the costs of this practice. Let us first discuss what classifies as media. We have newspapers, magazines, radio, films, television, etc. Television and radio are the most dominated forms of media that are in the hands of four giant networks, which are, ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. These media corporations not only own television networks but other forms of media, such as; cable companies, book publishing houses, movie studios, satellite television, etc. Since the broadcast industry has failed to provide adequate regulation policies the competition has decreased, and this has caused a large economic influence. The competition was supposed to lower prices, instead there has been an increase in cable rates and phone rates. In addition, media owners don’t hesitate to exercise control over news content. They frequently kill stories they dislike and in other ways inject their own preferences. In other words, they determine which person, which facts, which version of the facts, and which ideas shall reach the public. The media can also have a political influence. “Progressive candidates are not only competing against well-financed opponents but also against the media’s many frivolous distractions. It is nearly impossible for these candidates to try and run a meaningful campaign because the media will withhold their media coverage .” The few corporations can spin the media any which way. In sum, the media is ne...
Lippmann wrote that journalists can excel when reporting concrete facts or things that could be measured, such as sports scores and election results. However, Lippmann said that journalists often fail to deliver matters that require knowledge and interpretation, such as conflicts or policies. Lippmann thought journalism was flawed because first, journalists are humans and apt to mistakes, and second everybody interprets the world differently. What a reader understands about an article can be different than another reader. Also, news and truth are not the same thing according to Lippmann. That is because truth has a purpose to explore and expose the unknown into reality, while news has the purpose to make people aware of the unknown, unusual or bizarre. In “Public Opinion,” Lippmann also wrote how journalism is not a science, and that he preferred expert knowledge than public opinion because the press controlled the public opinion creating bias.
Fog, A. (2004, May 4). The supposed and the real role of mass media in modern democracy. Retrieved from Agner.org: www.agner.org/cultsel/mediacrisis.pdf
The Mass Media is a unique feature of modern society; its development has accompanied an increase in the magnitude and complexity of societal actions and engagements, rapid social change, technological innovation, rising personal income and standard of living and the decline of some traditional forms of control and authority.
Being able to thoroughly analyze the content of any media empowers the public, giving them their own opinion. Modern media has a sly way of brainwashing its audience, whether it’s convincing you that the war on terror is a defense for the United States, or that being a socialist means wanting the destruction of the current government. Interestingly enough, this brainwashing mechanism has been used for ages, increasing in complexity and deception by the minute. The ignorance of the
This book discusses the governments role in the media. Although Chomsky’s views might be considered somewhat extreme by some standards, his message s important. We have discussed the government manipulation of the media. For example, President Roo...
Throughout the previous years, the effect of mass media has produced exponentially with the innovation of technology. Initially there were books, tabloids, journals, photography, movies, broadcast, TV, New Media of the Internet, and now mass media. Nowadays, each individual are most depended on the news media and gossips to preserve their lives moving within everyday accomplishments. We trust the mass media for the existing newscast and evidences concerning anything that is significant and what we must be conscious of. We rely on the media as a consultant for gossip, info, and amusement. The amount of authority varies on the obtainability of media. All of the customary mass media partake excessive impact throughout our existence. For example the 20th century port...
In the US, mass media plays a significant role in politics. One of the key roles mass media plays in politics includes the airing of the platforms of various politicians. The media influences the view of people on politics and politicians. As the opinion of individuals is affected, the results of the votes are consequently changed (Holden, 2016).
In our democratic society, mass media is the driving force of public opinion. Media sources such as Internet, newspaper, news-broadcasts, etc, play significant roles in shaping a person’s understanding and perception about the events occurred in our daily lives. But how much influence does the mass media poses on our opinion? Guaranteed by the First Amendment in American Constitution, the media will always be there to inform us about the different events or issues they feel are important for the public. The media constantly bombards us with news, advertisements, etc, wher...
By Mass Media I mean 'the whole body of media reaching large numbers of public' the major ones being newspapers, television and the Internet. The main purposes of mass media are to provide information, entertainment and advertisement. In this essay I will discuss the influence that Mass Media has in the general public and give the evidence to support the statement "People are more influenced by mass media than they think. ".
Mass media, including TV, radio, newspapers have a great influence on people and especially on the younger generation. It plays an important role in shaping the opinions and position of the younger generation. In the present, the younger generations are influenced by mass media, including TV, radio, and newspapers. They think this is the model for them because in daily life it is necessary for everyone, therefore, it is not unusual that it has a great influence on the people and especially on them. It plays an important role in shaping the opinions and position of the younger generation. The younger imitate the mass media and it has an impact on the younger on they way they dress, speak or behave.
The power of the mass media has once become so powerful that its undoubtedly significant role in the world today stays beyond any questions. It is so strong that even politics uses it as a means of governing in any country around the world. The mass media has not only political meaning but also it conveys wide knowledge concerning all possible aspects of human beings’ lives and, what is utterly true, influences on people’s points of view and their attitude to the surrounding environment. It is completely agreeable about what kind of virtues the mass media is supposed to accent. Nevertheless, it is not frequent at all that the media provides societies with such a content, which is doubtful in terms of the role consigned to it. Presenting violence and intolerance as well as shaping and manipulating public are only a few examples of how the role of mass media is misunderstood by those who define themselves as leading media makers.