Wanted: the media that we need

After reading over some of the blog posts of my peers, I found some interesting insights into whether we receive the media we want or want the media we receive.  With those insights I was able to construct an understanding of how unreliable the media is and how it exploits our habits as consumers.

In terms of receiving information that better informs me of the world, I think that we will get the gist of the matter and there has to be some semblance of truth, but I think it will be packaged in way that is appealing to us and thus not entirely truthful. I think Veronica Field shares the same idea when she says “I believe that it all boils down to consumerism and giving the consumer what they want”. Considering that idea, you can see that in order to receive reliable information, you have to do some looking. But sometimes the act itself of  looking for “truthful” information can be a contributor to the problem.

Sometimes when I’m on Youtube and there is a heated controversial issue in the world, the mosque by the world trade center for example, I’ll click on one video that has a particular leaning to one side of the issue. When I’m finished watching the video I’ll see that on the right hand side all the “related videos” share the same stance on the issue. And if you continue down that track, you’ll find yourself watching a video that so far on one side of the issue that it’s almost extreme. I believe this goes to show that it is not entirely the media’s fault in providing misinformation. We, ourselves, have immense influence on what information we receive. In this day and age you can choose what you know and what you don’t about the world. In Amy Lowe’s blog, she talks about the filter bubble, and how “It has become the norm to have to comb through the muck of media to find stories that are of your interest or that are valid pieces of journalism.” Because this has become the norm, I feel the media can anticipate this, so when you finally comb through the “muck” of media it gives you the illusion that what you have uncovered is the objective truth and not something that leans towards your beliefs or the media’s agenda.

Now I don’t believe mass media is completely unreliable, there are times when the media will give truthful and necessary information to benefit society, like Brooke Harnum’s example of a mass murder on the loose. Although, Sometimes this information is sensationalized and blown out of proportion. I think that is the media’s attempt to entice consumers to a particular idea at face value, and some go for it. Others, however, don’t but that doesn’t mean they have overcome the untruthfulness of the media. Ultimately, it’s my belief that the media, through examining us as consumers and understanding our place in the information age, can use our own habits to fool us.