preview

The Media Influences Public Attitude Essay

Better Essays

The media, who influance the publics attitudes towards issues such as the mental health stigma, have the ability to determind individuals perceptions and opinions on important matters due to the way they present the information. For example if the media were trying to create a barrier between those with mental illnesses and those without this could easily be done by only publishing negative stories reguarding the situation.
The Press Complaints Commission
The press complaints commission (PCC), which is a regulatory independent body for British magazines and newspapers, it the editors code of practise. It acts as a self regulation serive and deals soley with complains and the content of magazines and newspapers. The main aim of the PCC is …show more content…

The public must also be given the fair opportunity to reply to stories and express any misjudgements that may have occured.
The PCC therefore control what actions occur when the Code has been breached, for example an editior could become censored or a settlement could occur reguarding a complaint. Standards are put in place in order to enforce the Code, thus meaning that if complaints occur then the standards would be set higher. Therefore, when editors are publicising stories reguarding mental health issues they must comply with the Code in order to minimise any misjudegements about mental health occuring also aiding a decrease in the current stigma. If the press are unable to comply then appropriate actions would take place as it is an essential aspect that the rights of the general public are protected.
Soap Operas
Soap operas which are watched by the public on daily occasions are a perfect way to portray mental illnesses, due to the fact that a soap opera consists of telling a story of normal people’s day-to-day lives with added drama. There are a large number of viewers that tune into soap operas on a daily basis, therefore giving Mental Health issues a platform to educate and make the viewers aware of illnesses.
It is essential the mental health is addressed as a 'normal' matter as it is such a common occurrence within society. However, for some reason it is usually a completely

Get Access