Abstract This paper analyzes the predictions and views of media guru Marshall McLuhan, who argued that all forms of media exert a compelling influence on humanity and society and not necessarily for the benefit of man. In one of his more well-known books, "The Medium is the Massage," McLuhan contends that people consume both medium and message as a total experience. The writer of this paper details the rapidly advancing technologies of the 21st century while examining their impact on humanity and society. This paper discusses the views of McLuhan, one of the founders of media ecology, who voiced his concerns that the media, especially television, brought the brutalities of war into our living rooms, while making the viewer numb to the negative happenings of the world. The author had many strong opinions regarding modern forms of media and communication, such as the telephone. McLuhan was concerned that phones made it possible for people to talk with one another without actually being together. This paper also delves into the various predictions and concerns McLuhan had regarding the emergence of electronic media, in which the author often stated that man's dependence on electronic forms of media would eventually spell the end of humanity as it it now known.
From the Paper "Of more concern, technology continues to expand the gap between the haves and have-nots. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 90 percent of Internet users come from industrialized countries and only 25 percent of people in developing countries have Internet access. A computer in Bangladesh costs eight years the country's annual salary. Similarly, in the United States, for example, technology, especially the Internet, is a class issue. Compare the number of the technology budget and wired PCs and laptops in the suburbs to that of the inner-cities and other poorer areas of the country. Information is power, and the power is located in similar pockets as the money."
Tags:media, society, technology, computers, internet, literature, communication
Abstract This paper explains that Robert W. McChesney's book "The Problem of the Media," deals with inadequate journalism, hyper-commercialism and overwhelming media power in the United States. The author reports that the points out how the various issues in the media problem are inter-connected.
From the Paper "Robert W McChesney's book "The Problem of the Media" takes an in-depth look at how politics and government policies have shaped the media in the United States and debunks long-standing myths regarding the media. McChesney also addresses ..."
Tags: McChesney, The Problem of the Media, journalism, politics, commercialism, conglomerate, media policies, media reform, public media, monopoly
Abstract This paper discusses the role and responsibility of the media, specifically addressing bias, adequate media coverage, and the protection of victims from media scrutiny. It also looks at the role of the media consumer in enforcing media responsibility and setting expectations. Entertainment media is also briefly discussed, in terms of the minimal responsibilities is has to the public compared to news media.
From the Paper "There is no doubt that the media has power and authority in the modern society. People around the globe, at all economic and social levels, consume multiple forms of media daily. For this reason there are expectations from the public that media sources and their affiliates uphold certain standards. This includes ethical, honest, and objective reporting. Different forms of media uphold these standards to varying levels, creating a range of reporting available to consumers. Media for entertainment concerns a much different set of responsibilities than news reporting. Political and business allegiances also affect..."
Abstract This paper describes three basic angles of the media's impact on adolescent self-perception. The paper illustrates the media's most positive portrayal of teenagers and its more customary negative angle. It provides real world examples of the state of adolescence in America. The paper explores how and why corporate America and the media affect the nation's children.
Table of Contents
I. Fear is in the TV: Media images of an adolescent world
II. Truth is in the Streets: The rest of the story
III. Autopsy Reports in the Profit Margins: What does Corporate America have to gain?
a. Media Stock in Violence
b. Drug Companies and the New Marketplace
c. Get Tough on Crime (it's easy on the approval ratings)
d. Selling Popularity
IV. I Don?t Want to Be Part of Your World: Self-definition and other underage options
a. Media Complications and Youth Reactions
b. Self-Definition and Viable Options
V. Summary
VI. Sources Used
From the Paper "I began work on this paper with every intention of sticking to traditional subjects. I planned to discuss media portrayal of women and beauty, the formation of high school "cool" through marketing and media pressure, and the legalities of advertising to teenagers. Along the way I expected to discuss such random issues as cartoon characters and smoking campaigns. However, once I actually started my research, an entirely different topic kept popping up over and over again: the negative media portrayal of teenagers and the wholesale selling of violence and mind-altering drugs.
"Multiple school shootings have passed in recent memory. Daily news reports continue to be filled with stories of adolescent murderers and children in adult prisons. The question then presented itself to my mind, how does all this negative media coverage affect the way teens view themselves, and the way in which they interact with the world? Are teens today really more violent, and if so, is that the fault of the entertainment media or some other cause? What is it like to be part of a subculture that takes the brunt of these media scandals? Is it all hype, and does the hype worsen the problem?
Increasingly my other research seemed to pale in comparison to these questions. One day when I was at the library, a boy walked by wearing a Marilyn Manson T-shirt that piqued my interest and made up my mind as to how I should approach this paper. It read: "Is adult entertainment killing our children, or is killing children entertaining our adults?" I set myself the task of answering that question, and further exploring how media messages on violence and group conformity might change the self-perception and self-identification of adolescents, with a focus on the events at Columbine.
There are three basic angles that I felt needed to be explored. First, I attempted to explain the media's most positive portrayal of teenagers and its more customary, negative angle. Then I contrasted these stereotypes with a few real-world truths about the state of adolescence in America. Finally, I tried to explore how and just as importantly, why, corporate America and the general media have affected our children."
This paper examines the negative impact of the media on both women and young girls, as well as the correlation between the media's definition of beauty and eating disorders.
Abstract This paper explores the power of the media in creating cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness and its impact on women and young girls. The writer of this paper contends that the media depicts an unattainable image of beauty which negatively affects women who are already conditioned to feel insecure with their bodies. This paper examines the correlation between the media's perception of beauty and eating disorders. While media messages screaming "thin is in" may not directly cause eating disorders, they do create the context within which young women learn to place a value on the size and shape of their body. The media has been and continues to be a dominant source of self-image as it relates to gender socialization. This paper also contains relevant studies and statistics regarding this particular topic.
From the Paper "These images are not only insulting but also frightening. Women are already conditioned to feel insecure about their bodies and media images such as this only serve to perpetuate negative stereotypes. As Willis states, the experiences of an individual are a function of processes and institutions that extend far beyond, and exist independently of, individuals. Thus simply telling women "not to worry" about what other people think and to feel good about themselves no matter how greatly the media thwarts this task, is not sufficient. The changes in body image need to be made within the media, not within the women themselves."
Tags: women, perception, health, eating, disorder, media
This paper focuses on the telecommunications industry, which has seen an accelerating wave of corporate mergers and acquisitions that have resulted in the creation of multi-billion-dollar media conglomerates.
Abstract This paper discusses the government's continuous deregulation of the telecommunications industry, which was intended to result in increased competition, however the exact opposite was in fact achieved. The writer of this paper discusses the growing trend by large media conglomerates that are continuously consuming their competition. As a result, the mega-media companies cited in this paper, produce and/or distribute the majority of television shows, radio programs, movies and print publications. This paper examines the makeup of several large media conglomerates such as AOL-Time Warner, which was formed in 2000 for $160 billion and the Walt Disney Company, which includes several television production companies and cable networks and more than 100 million subscribers. The writer of this paper detail the impact and control these companies have on today's media. The writer contends and explains how these particular monopolies control the traditional ideas of the free press. This paper also delves into the FCC's recently relaxed media ownership rules that allows large media conglomerates to grow even larger, resulting in a great deal of protest.
From the Paper "The FCC recently relaxed media ownership rules that allowed large media conglomerates to grow even larger. Thus, they set off a great deal of protest. Americans did not appreciate the fact that a small group of powerful corporations are given more control of the most important element of our democracy: our access to information. They are right to feel this way. The media monopoly allows a small amount of companies power over media outlets (independent and corporate alike, including on the Web). This is far too much power for them to possess, but this is the future face of media consolidation."
Abstract This paper discusses the relaxation by the Australian authorities of cross-media and foreign ownership laws. The debate seems to balance out as to the number of the pros and cons and the weight of the arguments of each side. However, sifting through the arguments the paper shows that they meet halfway on the need to protect media against excess concentration of power and foreign influence. On these concerns, the Australian government seems to draw lessons from the media liberalization programs of other developed countries, which are allowing cross-media ownership and foreign participation up to more manageable limits and only in specific media areas where activities are calculated to pose lesser risks. The paper concludes that the problem is that, despite these safeguards, people will always look at media deregulation with suspicion and misgiving because of the sensitive nature of this industry.
From the Paper "After Lord Morley left journalism to join government service in the early stages of the development of media in UK, there is an oft-quoted remark made to him by Kennedy Jones, co-founder of the venerable Daily Mail. "You left journalism a profession. We made it a branch of commerce," Jones told Morley. The equally famous rejoinder was: "The more, the pity." One view in effect exults that media has evolved into a business proposition, where profit takes precedence over its traditionally loftier priorities. The other opinion looks with sadness at such commercialization of journalism, implying that this is inimical to public interest.
That pithy exchange from the past captures the essence of the present-day debate in Australia triggered by the government announcement of plans to deregulate media after 20 years of controls on foreign ownership and cross-media transactions. The Morley-Jones clash of views between the public service and business orientation of media deferred to old UK conditions, but the same hairsplitting still rings true today and continues to reverberate throughout the world as economic opportunities diminish and competition for scarce resources tighten up. Since almost all sectors of national economies have been served up for foreign interests in the universal drive to generate much-needed foreign investment, governments in many parts of the world, both developed and underdeveloped, are fixing their attention on the media industry as the last remaining enticement for foreign investors. As Australian Sen. Ron Walker puts it: "Media has become the last major industry begging for reform to bring it to the 21st century." By inference, the senator is batting for a new scheme that would keep Australian media in step with the times by allowing foreign investment into the arena."
Abstract This paper examines terrorism and argues that media coverage of terrorist acts inevitably leads to more terrorism, for global media coverage of terrorist attacks wins worldwide attention for terrorists, and this attention motivates them to launch more attacks. The paper argues that terrorism thrives on media coverage, and fades in influence and significance when media attention is diverted elsewhere. Subsequently, terrorist tactics and strategy are very media-oriented, for the mass media is seen by terrorists as a long-range weapon that can strike fear into their enemies, regardless of where they live.
Abstract In this article the writer analyzes the Canadian media company Astral Media. The writer explains that this company is one of the leading media companies in Canada. The writer examines the Astral Media company that owns, among other media properties, television networks and radio stations.
From the Paper "Astral Media is one of the leading media companies in Canada, and the company reaches the public by means of a combination of highly targeted media properties in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, radio, and outdoor advertising. Astral Media is currently the largest operator of English and French-language specialty, pay, and pay-per-view television services. The company owns nineteen network licenses, entirely or in a partnership. The company and its television networks also stand as the largest private sector supporter of Canadian feature films. Astral Media also owns 24 radio stations, including 16 French-language FM stations in Quebec.
Abstract An analysis of the way the media handles several events and how the media can form our views and opinions. It discusses the O.J. Simpson case, September 11th, The Vietnam War, Muslim women and more. The media has also spread the word about life in other regions. The media has enabled us to learn what life is like for others. The power of the media as an industry has given women a rightful platform and an opportunity for rightful self-empowerment. Women are able to communicate like never before thanks to television shows that cater to their needs. It discusses The Lifetime Channel which airs shows that are specific to women.
From the Paper "The media industry is one of the most power entities in the world. One written word can help a company boost its revenues by millions or cause the company to go bankrupt in a New York minute. Every day millions of people watch television, listen to the radio or read newspapers. The in-home viewing time for television is about six hours per day (Kennedy). The OJ Simpson trial, the Olympic bombing and the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are some of the media events that kept Americans glued to their television sets."
This paper discusses Ben H. Bagdikian's "The Media Monopoly", which describes the problems of the concentration of giant companies in the mass media industry in the U. S..
Abstract This paper explains that the companies which dominate the mass media have dominant influence over the public's news, information, public ideas, popular culture and political attitudes because they not only control the media but also have influence on government because of this ability to manipulate the public. The author points out that this also affects advertising because large newspapers target the big retailers and advertisers with their big budgets; leaving corner grocery stores' advertising to the dwindling small neighborhood papers. The paper relates that Bagdikian proposes (1) an international convention whose role it would be to examine anti-trust in the mass media and (2) corporations be socially responsible in order to prevent "giantism" in the media.
From the Paper "Commercial TV does have a foe, though, that of noncommercial TV. First, the noncommercial TV steals members of the audience away from commercial TV. Second, noncommercial TV reminds people that there is a choice in viewing and "an alternative to the heavy doses of sex-and-violence, fantasy advertising, and programs designed to create a 'buying mood'." Third, noncommercial TV can be honest. The author points out that this also effects advertising because large newspapers target the big retailers and advertisers with the big budgets; leaving corner grocery stores' advertising to the dwindling small neighborhood papers. They are able to deal with the issues affecting the public, as well as the controversies "in ways avoided by commercial broadcasters whose advertisers, understandably, do not wish their products associated with public controversy." "
Abstract The writer of this paper details the symptoms as well as the media's contribution to body dysmorphic disorder, also known as distorted body image. Body dysmorphic disorder has become a tremendous problem in today's society due to the barrage of negative messages sent to women by the media. This paper discusses the effect of the media, in all its forms - television, radio, print advertising, internet, etc., which has an enormous influence on what people deem as attractive in today's society. The unnecessary emphasis the media places on appearance tends to adversely affect the mental and physical health of those it comes in contact with. Body dysmorphic disorder can lead to damaged self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. This paper details the manner in which advertisers place heavy emphasis on physical appearance as a means of selling products. Too often in doing so, unnecessary pressure is placed on women to conform to unrealistic and oftentimes, unhealthy standards of beauty.
From the Paper "Women want someone they can relate to. The Body Shop, a supplier of natural beauty products, offered a much-needed change from the typical message provided by advertisers; "There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels, and only eight who do. The Australian magazine New Woman included a picture of a heavy-set model on its cover recently. This action produced a lot of positive comments from the magazine's female readers. Despite this fact, advertisers threatened to pull their sponsorship. This shows that advertisers know what they are doing when they include a woman whose body is unattainable to society at large."
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the views and opinions of cultivation theorists who maintain that the media, both electronic and print, tends to clouds one's judgment of reality. The writer of this paper focuses on the contribution of the media to the culture of thinness and perfection and the increasing cases of eating disorders in young women. This paper examines the published research, which indicates that female adolescents are increasingly being subjected to unhealthy body images in print and electronic media. This paper explores the research which proves that internalization of media-promoted images may have an even more pronounced impact on body image. This paper discusses the fact the eating disorders are more prevalent in girls than in boys. The writer contends and explains why young people who are more aware of existing socio-cultural pressures are less affected by media exposure than others.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Research has consistently demonstrated that media images especially TV commercials and magazines play a dominant role in distortion of body image leading to increased cases of eating disorders among women. Kalodner concluded that images of thin models in media generated feelings of anxiety, stress, and dissatisfaction among women but not in men. But different results might be obtained if men were shown images of muscular models instead of thin females since culture of thinness affects women more. Body mass index (BMI) was used in many researches to demonstrate that even those women whose BMI indicate good height-weight proportion also suffered from body image disturbance and developed eating disorder."
Abstract This paper examines bias in the media. The paper investigates media ownership, the content of news and entertainment broadcasts, and the relationship between media influence and public opinion, in order to assess the extent of the ideological bias in the media. The paper then analyzes which factors have contributed to media bias in the United States and its effects.
From the Paper "Ideological Bias in the Media: An Analysis Accurately assessing the extent of ideological bias in the media requires investigating media ownership, the content of news and entertainment broadcasts, and the relationship between media influence and public opinion. In recent years, corporate media conglomeration, deregulation, and declining journalistic standards have significantly increased ideological media bias in the United States, which has had a devastating effect on participatory democracy. Media ownership is more concentrated than ever before and serious coverage and debate of public issues such as war, taxes, corporate crime, education, political corruption, and pollution is disappearing right before our eyes."
Abstract This paper takes off from the recent dot com boom and bust to ask questions about the introduction of new media The paper notes that the experience with the dot coms showed results that differed from the development of other media earlier in the century. The experience with cinema, radio and television in North America showed that the new media is developed along more rational lines and that a hint of irrationality was shown toward the fate of old media for in each case it was predicted that the old media would disappear and be replaced by the new.
From the Paper "The business of the mass media has developed beginning in the nineteenth century and accelerating along with increased competition through the twentieth century. In the 1990s, a period of "dot.com" excitement created a market boom followed by a market crash among Internet-based high tech industries. This event was one of the prime examples of what then-Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan called "irrational exuberance" as anything attached to the Internet was seen as the next big thing and so as ripe for successful investment."
