The Role of Mass-Media in the Contemporary World Essay

These researchers affirm that it is impossible to think of any democratic society deprived of the mass media because in such utopist environment the citizens would miss the information they need to evaluate the desirability or undesirability of public choices and assess the value of political leaders and social conditions. They state that the essential role of the press is what leads critics to wonder about the danger derived from the mass media concentration.

The mass media play a significant role in a modern world, by broadcasting information in fast pace and giving entertainment to vast audiences. They consist of press, television, radio, books and the Internet. The latter is now the most developing medium, however, TV also has a wide field of influence. By creating a certain type of message, media can manipulate people’s attitude and opinions.

The mass media has become a big part of our society and its counterparts. In a time span of 50 years this medium has influenced society to an extent where it has created wonders. This immaculate tool can control almost every action we perform, from speaking to the actions that every human being performs in society. The mass media has brought upon a new era of idea's and changes in the world we live in. As we analysis media in depth we will find many aspects of media which overlap and some of the smallest factors and aspects of media, which create the biggest impact on society.

First of all, the media acts as a catalyst for swift, governmental action, such as in the case of foreign policies, through the manipulation of the public opinion. Post Cold-War, journalists were able to criticize foreign policy and incite the population to view some policies more critically or negatively. The journalists’ reporting angle and tone highlights certain aspects of policies that they want altered while avoiding to weigh the entirety of the law or change. The media’s subtle manipulation evokes strong emotions in its viewers and causes

Recently freedom of speech and the problems surrounding it has been brought into the light more due to the various current

We are living in information age, where quick access to all types of information is a way of life. People around the relay on media, for information related to politics, culture, sports, technology, economy and various other factors. Although media is applauded for its role in transforming our life by providing relevant and accurate information, there is increasing exasperation about current media practices. Many people believe that current media practices are not aligned with the objective of providing correct information to public. In doing so, media portrays a picture that is favorable to its own objective and may contradict the reality; consequently these practices are termed

The media has always been around human civilizations since the ancient days, either in tangible or intangible form. Its initial purpose was to inform the citizens about certain phenomena. However, as time pass by, majority of people started to prefer biased media over informative media, and considered as positive trend because of ‘freedom of speech’. Even so, this essay believes that bias in the media is harmful enough to show distortion to the audience and to vilify an individual or a group.

The exercise of freedom of speech goes along way down the history of human civilization, and only positive results are there as the fruit of such level of human freedom. The world is a better place today, no doubt, because some men and women stood up their ground to speak their mind about what should be done and how things should be done to ensure prosperity. Despite the many gains of freedom of speech, the tragic reality is that some places still have the retrogressive rules that curtail people’s freedom to free speech, just to protect the ruling regimes (Melkonian, 2012).

Today, a majority of the population relies on media for both local and international news. Media is always surrounding us, it consumes our everyday life, and is practically inevitable to escape. There are several different factors, such as politics and bias within the media. The media is a very powerful outlet that provides the public with a set perspective on certain groups and events throughout the world. “The media generally operates in ways that promote apathy, cynicism, and quiescence, rather than active citizenship and participation.”

Nobody can doubt that the role of mass media in the present-day life is extremely important for a society. Mass media aims not only to inform, educate, and entertain people, but also influences the way they see the world; it may change their views and, in general, mould public opinion. Except for newspaper reports, radio and TV broadcasts, with the help of the Internet people have an unlimited access to the most burning news and tons of important information, and as a result, they lose the possibility to evaluate the information flow critically. Despite the liberal activity of journalists, they are always dependent on political powers that are in control. Thus, there is a problem of news media bias helping to create necessary political spin in the society.

Freedom of speech has central place in democratic societies. In the United States the First Amendment protects free speech as essential right of its citizens. Other democracies, such as those in western Europe also have free speech traditions, though none as extensive as the United States’. But why should speech be free? Speech should be free because it provides for a good government, promotes the realization of truth, allows diversity to thrive, and is a straightforward legislative approach to speech.

People perspective of the real world is based on the issues the media makes aware to us. It is not identified which effects more, but there are absolutely two sides to the story in which public get stuck, we see pros and cons of each side. Media provides the knowledge in way that effect on our thinking. Moreover, many studies have been complete to choose but each studies provides different answers. The media has more power on politics than does politics on the media. The two have continuously departed and influence. Disagreeing with each other in newspaper, radio, internet, and television, but normally enjoying each other's company. The role of the mass media is to keep the general public educated and up to date with current news and events in their municipal, state, country, and around the world. However, in politics, the media is highly effected it can either benefit or damage a politician by shifting the public's opinion. Numerous people depend seriously on television as their source of information where they obtain political issues and events, because television is the most powerful foundation of world communication .The mass media is everywhere around us, from television, to radio, to newspapers, and now days the Internet. “The rise of new media – such as social media sites, blogs, email and other new media platforms – provides further

The human right to express personal opinion publicly without fear of any punishment is one of the greatest achievements of our civilisation. However as usual this freedom might be overused, so a government has to control the quality of information and implications of speech.

“The collective opinion of many people on some issue, problem, etc., especially as a guide to action, decision, or the like.” Dictionary.com. 2015. dictionary.reference.com. [ONLINE] Available at: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/public-opinion. [Accessed 17 November 15]. When looking at the cultural, financial and ideological aspects of our world today it is hard to dismiss the pressing influence that the media has. In this essay I will be analysing how the media uses different methods to manipulate the public and the influence it has on society and how it shapes public opinion, alongside public opinion in democracy now. I will also be discussing theories in which people don’t believe the media moulds the public’s opinions. The media industry is very essential but on the other hand the public opinion is indispensable, without the public opinion there is no media. The media becomes an influential determinant of public opinion, and sometimes it has the power to change public sentiments in terms of controversial issues.

Mass media plays an important role in the society by providing entertainment, information and acting as the government’s overseer. Several scholars have developed philosophies that help people understand how mass media fulfills its roles in the society. For example, Horkheimer and Adorno have constructed theories that explain the functions and impacts of mass media in the society across the globe (Mosco, 2008). The central theme in all mass communication models entails the meaning of media contents, which include the images and texts and their influence on the target audience. The perception of the target audience concerning the text and images in the media are what form the basis of these theories. This essay discusses two hypothetical frameworks: the political economy and cultural studies theories, including their similarities and differences, and how they help in understanding the relationship between the media and society.