We must never underestimate the profound influence of media. While it’s easy to dwell on its negative aspects, it’s crucial we acknowledge the positive contributions it makes to our society. Media is a dynamic force, not only reflecting our values, but also giving people the power to shape and redefine them. So, how can we harness the potential of media for our personal and collective growth?
Media today takes myriad forms, from traditional “old school” sources like books and newspapers to modern platforms such as the internet, digital magazines, movies, and television. These diverse channels persist and adapt to remain relevant in the mainstream, and each holds sway over our perceptions and beliefs.
It’s long been said that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” While that saying has become cliche, it’s true. Indeed, media can be a powerful weapon for disseminating ideas, both good and bad. So, is this a good or a bad thing for humanity?
How Much Does the Media Influence Our Values?
Media wields a considerable influence over the formation, preservation, and transformation of societal values. As values serve as the bedrock of our communities, the responsibility falls upon media to uphold or challenge traditional norms and instill fresh perspectives. Over the past decade, media has noticeably impacted our values. Some folks on both sides of the political spectrum argue that it’s overstepped its bounds. Yet, we must recognize the dual nature of media influence to understand why this sort of polarization has happened.
For better or worse, media has helped ideas spread all over the world. With the invention of social media, these ideas spread even more quickly. Some people have even suggested that social media will eventually displace traditional media. While that’s unlikely to happen completely, there’s no doubt that digital media isn’t going to slow down in its exponential growth. This free flow of ideas allows people even in obscure, less-developed countries to access information that they couldn’t have dreamed of having just a few years ago.
But in spite of any positives, one of the major concerns often voiced about the global spread of media is the promotion of celebrity culture. This phenomenon, while not entirely new, has gained more prominence in our lives today than ever before. Additionally, mainstream media sometimes skews news in pursuit of entertainment, placing celebrity gossip on equal footing with significant global events. This is because that’s what gets the most viewership, that’s what generates the most revenue.
For all its ills, nevertheless, there’s a silver lining to this media landscape. Media can expose hypocrisy and falsehoods, with social media amplifying the speed at which this occurs. It’s a platform for individuals to express their genuine selves and exercise their freedom of speech. In essence, the impact of media on our values is a complex interplay of both good and bad elements. We must each take a step back and use our critical thinking skills to better understand both sides of this ongoing debate.
Has Media “Americanized” the World Too Much?
It’s true that the United States of America has long been looked at as a global trendsetter. Many other cultures worldwide adopt American innovations and customs, with varying degrees of success. For example, fast food and blue jeans were invented in America, and both have become global staples. This phenomenon, referred to as “Americanization,” raises the question of whether it’s beneficial or detrimental to humanity in general.
Critics argue that Americanization erodes traditional values. But, culture and values evolve over time, regardless of external influences. While media accelerates this process, it doesn’t force anyone to adopt new ideas and values. It merely introduces them to people who may choose to explore them. The consequences, then, whether positive or negative, stem from individual choices rather than media itself.
Conservative elements of American society have for quite some time railed against the media for eroding its own values. But, that’s a debate far beyond the scope of this particular article. However, there’s one related point we can touch on here: does the media today simply reflect the cravings of a content-hungry society? Or is there something more going on here to uncover?
Is It True that Media Reflects What Society Craves?
Media often faces criticism for catering to base desires like greed and lust. But, it never has and never will create these cravings by itself; rather, these so-called “sinful temptations” are inherent aspects of the human psyche. Is it problematic that media exploits these desires for profit? Certainly, this sort of pandering to baser instincts raises ethical concerns. However, media responds to what people want. So, like any business, media outlets will seek financial success, even at the risk of being scandalous — perhaps especially so.
While these outlets may prioritize sensationalism over substance, especially in the newsroom, they are driven by consumer demand. They aren’t morally obligated to uphold righteousness, especially if it conflicts with their bottom line. The way that media is kept in line with the majority opinion is by rejecting the product and demanding change. This happens all the time, with shows and publications going away because the demand was no longer there, and therefore, no advertising money to be made.
So, we must ask ourselves why we allow these businesses to make a profit off of such sensationalism. What is it we really crave? We might think we want the unvarnished truth, or even a trusted voice to tell us their opinion on what’s happening in the world. But more often what happens is corporate interests get involved and tell people what they want to hear instead. Still, this has been true long before modern media was ever created; it’s human nature that we’d rather hear pretty lies than hard truths.
Should Media Have a Moral Obligation to Upholding the Values of Society?
Asking whether media should bear a moral obligation to uphold societal values is a complex question. Who determines which values and ideas should be upheld me which others should be dismissed or even chastised? Imposing too many restrictions on media risks turning it into a propaganda machine; history has shown this happen on multiple occasions under tyrannical regimes.
Human beings are imperfect creatures, so a free media is bound to spread good with the bad. But, media itself has the potential to do great things, and history has shown this, too. It’s all about what you do with it. Nevertheless, in the age of social media, the need for a commitment to truth and transparency in all forms of media is stronger than ever. Rules governing hate speech and other inflammatory content have been created with the aim to prevent tragedies, although it’s argued that they do more harm than good. Still, media remains a vibrant and accessible platform for expression. You just have to keep an open mind and take every bit of content you encounter critically and mindfully.
So, should media be tied to a moral obligation to upholding the values of society? The whole point of a free society is to lift the obligation of the media to do just that. If there are too many rules governing media, then what good is it but an advertising vehicle for commercial and political interests? One can argue that the mainstream media has always been just that.
No matter what rules you might make, media is so free and accessible to everyday people now that no matter what, it will be used, even if the rules have to be broken to do so. The rise of alternative media on a grand scale, thanks to platforms like Patreon and YouTube, has raised voices that never would’ve been heard just ten years ago. Of course, there’s been plenty of positives to go with the negatives. But, as with any human endeavor, it’s our own personal choice of how we both create it and consume it.
Media is a transformative force, capable of both good and bad outcomes. However, it’s essential to remember that media itself isn’t the root cause of society’s ills; it merely brings them into the light. Just as it introduces us to beneficial ideas, it also reflects our choices as creators and consumers. It’s up to us to wield this powerful tool responsibly, not let the media control us.
~ Amelia Desertsong
