By:Julia Blas
So who slept with who? He’s about to bomb where? Who’s getting arrested?
These are the top priority questions that the public supposedly is dieing to hear and it is the media who feeds us with the fuel of gossip.
Sure we would all like to believe that we are in control of our own minds/thoughts, but is this truly the case. Do we actually believe that the opinions and beliefs that we each clutch so tightly are pure products of our own design? Like it or not, the opinions you form are not your own. They are a direct result of the information you acquire daily. And who dishes out the valuable information that every American so desperately needs to know? Well, it is none other than our tactful and resourceful media correspondents.
They set the stage for our world today. They shine the spotlights on the star of the hour. They have the power to make or break an individual reputation. They are highly influential, highly knowledgeable, and at times highly superficial.
One question, who is “they”? They are the reporters. The Journalist of America. The relayers of American Activities. It’s a game.
They meticulously pick and choose the details to report and often exaggerate the facts.
They have the power to evoke certain emotions from the public. And as humans tend to do, we feel, act, and then regret. It’s a crazy way to live, but that’s the cycle, unless someone has the amazing ability to remain objective. Sadly, many do not.
If you doubt or underestimate the power the media has to sway public opinion, than you must have been on some other planet during the events of the past two years.
One of the most recent stories that got reporters all hot and bothered was that of Jessica Lynch, a P.O.W in Iraq. This girl was glorified and dubbed a hero. She was awarded the Purple Heart. There were even movie deals thrown her way, but why all the hype about this particular P.O.W? Weren’t there others captured as well. Many believe that it is because she was treated the worse. But does that make her a hero? See I, along with others, question the happenings in this situation. What about those who fought hard, lost limbs, and made it back without being captured? Are they less of a “hero” in the public eye? You are what the media plays you out to be. If they want you to be a hero, hey, than you will be a hero.
What about if you flip it around? What if the news only spoke of all the wrong you have done in your life. This is the case for many members of our hip-hop community and those who are involved in our political parties. R Kelly’s name some way made it’s way into every headline when the story was leaked that he was a little bit too friendly with some of his underage groupies. And every effort is made to cut down the opponent during election time.
So, in the end I suppose that it is not the media’s fault. The media is simply the tool that those at the top of society use only to benefit themselves. All it takes is a leak and the reporters do the damage.
I understand that the journalists wouldn’t write about it if it wasn’t true, but it’s what they choose to write that bothers me.
In the case of minorities, the focus always goes to the negative. So what pops into our heads when the focus is on minorities? The negative. See, the seed is already planted in our minds, so the opinions that we form in the future will then be influence by our prior knowledge of the subject.
The America at War saga offers many other examples of the role the media plays.
That entire ordeal was mainly focused on gaining the support of the many people in the United States. Basically, we were going to war no matter what, but it’s easier to execute that mission with the support of many. There’s less stress on the minds of government officials if resistance is wiped out.
So, is the news just “professional gossip”? And is it only meant to get us to take on a certain attitude towards a certain individual? I guess that’s you’re opinion. But after this, can you even trust your opinions as being valid anymore?