Tv And Media Effect Essay Research Paper

Tv And Media Effect Essay, Research Paper

Television is a vital source from which most Americans receive information. News

and media delegates on television have abused theirs powers over society through

the airing of appealing news shows that misinform the public. Through literary

research and experimentation, it has been proven that people’s perception of

reality has been altered by the information they receive from such programs.

Manipulation, misinterpretation, word arrangement, picture placement and timing

are all factors and tricks that play a major role in the case. Research,

experimentation, and actual media coverage has pinpointed actual methods used

for deceptive advertising. Television influences society in many ways. People

are easily swayed to accept a belief that they may not normally have unless

expressed on television, since many people think that everything they hear on

television is true. This, however, is not always the case. It has been observed

that over the past twenty to thirty years, normal social behavior, even actual

life roles of men and women and media, regulatory policies have all been altered

(Browne 1998). Media has changed with time, along with quality and

respectability. Many Americans receive and accept false information that is

merely used as an attention grabber that better the show’s ratings and

popularity. Many magazines and Journal reviews have periodically discussed the

"muckraking" that many tabloid shows rely on to draw in their viewers.

This involves sensationalizing a story to make it more interesting, therefore

increasing the interest of the audience. "Along the way, all sorts of

scandalous substance and goofy tricks appear, but not much mystery in the

logic," (Garnson 1997). People often know that these shows aim to deceive

them, but still accept the information as truth. Many times, people have strong

opinions on certain topics. Yet, when they are exposed to the other side of the

argument, they may be likely to agree with the opposite view. As Leon Festinger

said, "If I chose to do it (or say it), I must believe in it," (Myers

1997). This is an example of Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory, which

pertains to acting contrary to our beliefs. Television influences many people to

change their original beliefs. It has the viewers think that the majority of

other people hold the contrary idea. Once these views are presented, people have

the option to hold strong to their beliefs or conform to what they feel the rest

of society believes. Though conforming is not necessarily bad, it can confuse

people and therefore allow them to believe false ideas. When someone is under an

informational social influence and is willing to change their views, the fine

line between the truth and fiction is clouded. It is; however, important to keep

an open mind and not let any personal prejudices influence a decision on an

important topic. Though agreeing with an idea simply to be accepted by others in

society is questionable. Joseph Joybert, an essayist from the eighteenth century

once said, "Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more

than they love truth" (Myers 1997). Which emphasizes the importance of

open-mindedness. Television is in the convenient position of being able to

influence people when they are most vulnerable. Open-mindedness can often be

treated as gullibility and therefore used as a tool to manipulate people’s

beliefs. Daschmann has stated a reason for this gullibility. He claims that a

certain amount of gullibility or understanding of certain news shows comes with

social factors. Some people are raised with a different education and status

with society than others, which hinges on the perception of the different news

shows and material. But the individual differences and character traits do not

have a bearing on the subject matter (Daschmann & Kepplinger 1997). These

news shows then place the ball in the public’s court and they must figure out

what to do with it themselves. It is very difficult for normal people to know

whom to believe. So many intelligent Americans accept the information that they

receive from television because they could not imagine being deceived. They

think only morons can be influenced by television, but do not even realize how

easily they are confusing truth for fiction and tabloid fluff. The tabloid shows

are so questionable that even those within the industry are unsure of their

motivations. According to Zoglin, these programs "┘ are scorned by

mainstream journalists, dismissed by most critics, laughed at by many viewers.

Yet when sensational crimes and celebrity scandals grab the nation’s attention,

these are the shows that do the spadework, uncover the dirt, and get the scoops.

Their style may be cheesy and there tactics dicey, but they are doin

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