This article justifies the importance of media as a tool for information distribution. In this globalization age, where population is increasing day by day, the difficulty of ensuring that each and everyone benefits receiving certain information increases. Media communication theories has it said that there exists an agenda setting function which states the media's ability to raise the importance of an issue in the public's mind.
The recent H1N1 pandemic has raised worldwide concern. A piece of newspaper article like this article is vital and critical in ensuring that people are aware of its dangers and take precaution as and when needed.
Another important function of media, I feel, would be to clarify any misunderstandings on any topic the society is currently concerned about. Like in this case, the quote about how"but federal health officials dismissed media reports from a day earlier that 1 in 5 children had contracted swine flu during the first weeks of October." This clarification can help to alleviate unnecessary worry and alarm among citizens.
For such informative articles, the moderation effects theory comes into play. Though H1N1
becomes a global concern as it grows in severity and time, not everybody would be willing to spend time reading or reacting to such articles even though they are aware of its consequences. Therefore, although the ability of the media to influence its audience remains, it is highly relative. Some of the people who are too entrenched in their working lives would probably not bother to react (i.e. watch out for their children, take precaution) , whereas some who are more cautious would probably ( for e.g bring their children for influenza jabs) after reading this article.
Another reason for people to not react to this article can be due to its accuracy. Like in this article, "some researchers fear that states are not fully reporting such deaths, however."
This ties in with the theory of priming where the media attends to some issues over others and thereby alter the standards by which people evaluate the issue. In this case, if states do not fully report actual death tolls, people might over or under estimate the severity of the problem. The latter will lead to inadequate precautions, inadvertently increasing the number of people who are vulnerable to the disease. The former will lead to unnecessary red tape if everybody reacts to it overly.
I do agree that media is an important source of tool for information distribution. Then again, sometimes we have to question certain issues. Are the media merely reporting what the mass wants to hear or demand for? Another question would be extent of Media Censorship in Countries due to political or social issues? Are we really getting accurate information from them? There is no definite answer to this I suppose. However, I feel that the better way would be weigh the pros and cons of reporting something. i.e. if it is generally Pros>Cons, then it would be reported as accurately and detailed as possible.
ReplyDeletesince we're talking abt mainstream media here though it's online, of course the most important part of any news(i.e. credibility)is a given.
ReplyDeleteHowever for it to generate sufficient interest/rolloever effect, there's some other factors to consider, how much prominence is given on the main homepage itself and how many other newspaper worldwide is reporting (proving it's not a localised problem)
Since the birth of the printed press, the news media has always been playing the role identifying what is important to society, according to the agenda setting theory.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the issue is not whether the news media is fulfilling its role as the agenda setter, but rather, the levels of dissonance in the credibility of main stream media, especially given the evolution of mass media with the advent of internet and new ways people are receiving information.
With ever more channels where people are receiving news from, it has come a time where people are able to receive information even before news is dissmeminated.
This has posed a challenge for most governments as they have to find new ways to ensure credibilty in their messages and the way important messages are received by the population.
I agree that the traditional media plays an important role in the transmission of news to the public. However, their role is increasingly diminishing these days. This is because the media faces extensive competition even from their own counterparts. To stay ahead of their competitors, many resort to sensationalising their new articles. Readers are losing their interest, and with the increase usage of internet or even hp where the public can read news headlines on the go. No doubt it has led to fallen interest in the traditional media
ReplyDeleteMuch as the mass media serves its traditional role in quick information relay and public education, the necessary practice of discernment by the reader is just as important.
ReplyDeleteYou got a point there. I do agree that media is an important source of tool for information distribution.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, how effective or true is the information getting to us? We wouldn't know. And nowadays people don't really concern about news (like me). So is there a safer way to transmit the information to those people?
-lynn`
Hey Val!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point regarding media as a key platform to distribute information. In fact, it is the most effective platform as it emits information almost as immediately as possible - say Televeision.
Nora.
Nevertheless, as the point mention above, it wouldn't be effective at all if people that doesn't really watch the news, listen to news or find out more about news considering most individuals are pretty equipped with busy schedule.