Hum/186 Effects Of Mass Media Papers

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Effects of Mass Media Paper
By Leilise Vega
HUM/186
Instructor: Allyson Wells
Due: 9/14/15


Effects of Mass Media Paper
Mass media has gone through quite a transformation over the past decade where there were only a couple forms of media. Today mass media has many different forms, from the TV, to the internet, to radio, to social media sites; the list goes on and on. In this paper I will discuss the evolution of mass media during the last century, as well how these developments influence American culture. Furthermore, I will discuss the term media convergence and how it affects our everyday life in ways we never even gave a second thought to. Lastly, I will discuss the absolute importance of media literacy for responsible media consumption …show more content…

For example, many major newspapers and magazines are also available through online subscriptions making them more accessible for people who prefer to read their news electronically rather than having the print version. This certainly affects everyday life in many ways. Many people today get the majority of their news through their Facebook / Twitter accounts because major news stations actually have Facebook / Twitter and post news articles as soon as they come out. Even TV shows access much of their audience through the internet. Shows like American Idol or Dancing with the Stars work with the internet so the audience can vote for their favorite contestants to stay on the show. People are able to take their everyday life and record a simple video on their phone, post in online and thousands of people from all over the world can view and comment on it. Even nearly all books in now have an electronic version of the book that can be read through a tablet or e-reader. Even old classic books like To Kill a Mockingbird have an electronic version of it taking away the need to carry around the actual book. These are just a few examples of how media convergence has affected everyday life in today's …show more content…

Media literacy involves being able to have access to all forms of media, being able to analyze and evaluate it, being able to create our own form of media such as a blog, being able to reflect and critically think about what is being presented to you, and being able to actively participate in social action through collaborative efforts (Hobbs, R., 2011). Having media literacy is so important because it not only allows people to be more involved in their community, but it also gives people the knowledge they need to access credible and reliable information that can be used for many different reasons. As developments in media continue to progress, the need for media literacy will only continue to grow. Soon it will be a requirement in schools to educate all students on media literacy if it isn't already. With the unlimited amounts of information available in today's society, media literacy is essential in getting around it all and making sense of

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