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Since the beginning of time, the mass media has been one of the main sources of viable
information to the people. When it comes to finding out information, the mass media would
more likely be the choice of obtaining it. The mass media basically plays a part in almost everything
that everyone takes in, especially when it comes to the local news and what is going on with the
government. Even down to national and world news, the mass media would more than likely be the
source of information. The mass media can have either a negative effect or a positive effect because
it can provide you with essential information quickly but, at the same time the information
sometimes does not come from a liable source. So, it just helps for people to go a little farther and do
some research just to make sure that all information that is being taken in is correct and reliable. As a
closer look is taken at the development of the mass media and what changes have been made
compared to what it once was. In addition to taking a look at the transition from information being
printed to going electronic as well as a look at how the mass media can have an influence on the lives
of society today. The significance of the mass media on modern culture has changed dramatically
since the evolution of the internet. The mass media has developed entertainment and worldly news to
society through many types of communication and other technical sources.
The Mass Media Formation
The mass media is a means of communication which provides information for people
throughout the world through written works, spoken words or broadcasted events. It
serves the purpose of creating audiences for information, artistic expression and other
kinds of messages (Marc, 2012). The mass media was cited at the beginning of the 18th
century where publishing first started with the assistance of hand operated printing
presses (Marc, 2012). At first, the mass media only consisted of newspapers. The
development was accelerated by the introduction of communication technologies
including the steam-powered printing press, not to mention the fact that literacy rates
were increasing (Marc, 2012). The telegraph was soon to follow, being the earliest form
of radio communication which was created by Gulielma Marconi in 1896 (Rodman,
2010). Later as mass media developed, it evolved into the radio, television,
magazines, newspaper, internet, movies and so forth. The rise in active listeners and
readers also sparked a change in the writing style of journalists also. Therefore an
alternative form of writing was adapted called yellow journalism which emphasized
sensationalism (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). This meant that the information that was being
reported was not always factual but rather a perception of the journalists could now be
used as well as catchy headlines to draw the reader in before even reading the story. The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was formed in 1934 by the
Communications Act; they still are in control of electronic communications until this day
(Rodman, 2010). This was important because now the government would regulate the
limit of television and radio stations that a company could own (“Cliffnotes”, 2012).
They also as a part of the licensing process reviews station operations (“Cliffnotes”,
2012). In 1996 an important act was passed which encouraged consolidation in the
industry. It was called the Telecommunications act of 1996. This act removed most of
the restrictions in station ownership (Rodman, 2010). The mass media is owned by a
mixture of federal and privately personals who control what the people take in.
The Development of Mass Media
The Mass media can be categorized into two different components, which are printed
media and electronic media (Rodman, 2010). They both play a big role of getting information to
the readers; it just depends on which form is easier for people to get their
hands on. Even though the media started out as only newspapers, technology played a
major role in helping the media become massive giving it the name mass media. Printed
media, which had evolved would now consist of books, newspapers and magazines
whereas before it would just only consist of newspapers (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). So that
meant that electronic/Broadcasted media had evolved just as much and would now
consist of movies, recordings, television, the internet and the radio (“Cliffnotes”, 2012).
In the past 50 years, electronic media has become dominate (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). The
media has always been a big part of the daily life of people since the beginning of time
and because of this it was just a matter of time before this too would be perfected. The
internet was started as an application for the military, but had rapidly become a union for
all information that enters it (Rodman, 2010). The 1990’s started a growth in the number
of people who would use online services because they were now computer accessible and
had access to the internet (Marc, 2012). As time went on, just about all of the journalists
turn to electronic media and merge online. This way, they would have information
available quicker for readers to obtain. With the new found access to information, it then
became easier for just about anyone to read or listen to anything because it would be at
the tip of their fingers. As of now it stands that the internet and television remains the
two major sources for individuals to obtain the news (Marc, 2012).
Mass Media and Its Responsibilities
Be it good or bad, the mass media does and has always played a major role in the indirect
influences on people and their lives. A twenty-eight hour average is spent per week by people
watching television (“The Effects Of Mass Media On Society”, 2008). The number of hours
listening to the radio, reading periodicals and going to the movies are harder to determine (The
Effects Of Mass Media On Society”, 2008). The mass media has a powerful influence on the
decisions people make in their everyday life from politics even down to what shoes a person
wears on their feet. The fact is that when it comes to media, its influences consists of but is not
limited to public opinion, the determination of the political agenda, linking the government,
watching the people for the government and socialization affects (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). Research
has shown that mass media helps shape public opinion by incorporating their own polls in news
coverage (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). The political agenda refers more so to what important issues the
government should address for the people (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). The mass media provides
presidential candidates and political parties an outlet for their own political content from the
privacy of home (“Cliffnotes”, 2012). For example, around election time when the presidential
candidates are campaigning against one another, not only do they tell the people the changes
they will make to better the country, but they also will scrutinize each other. This right here is
one of the ways the mass media watches the government. It brings the attention of abuse of
power by an official, corruption evidence and policies that are ineffective (“Cliffnotes”, 2012).
This can be powerful enough to change the mind of an already not so sure voter as to who they
would want to make president as a final decision. Mass media also helps with the process of
learned values and what is accepted in society with the assistance of religious groups, families
and schools.
Not only does the mass media provide people with important information that is needed for everyday life but also it feeds the needs of people who chose to use its information as entertainment. As stated before, the mass media does have a substantial influence indirectly to the everyday lives of people as well as culture. It helps to mold our visions, thoughts and the way people perceive information. It is very essential that the source of the information be verified before repeating as well as research on the topic just for the sake of reliability. The mass media can be used for good as well as bad but, ultimately it would be the reader’s perception as to how the information would be perceived. People have their own personal uses for the mass media. The development of entertainment and worldly news has been expanded through the many types of communication from mass media.
References
CliffsNotes.com. The Evolution of the Mass Media. 18 Nov 2012, Retrieved from
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-65383,articleId-65496.html.
CliffsNotes.com. The Functions of the Mass Media. 18 Nov 2012, Retrieved from
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-65383,articleId-65498.html.
CliffsNotes.com. The Structure of the Mass Media and Government Regulation. 18 Nov 2012,
Retrieved from http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-
65383,articleId-65497.html.
Marc, D. (2012). Mass Media. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 10, 2012,
from Grolier Online
http://gme.grolier.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/article?assetid=0186950-0
Rodman, G. (2010). Mass Media in a Changing World. History Industry Controversy, Third
Edition. Retrieved from
https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/TOC.aspx?assetMetaId=331
4e3a2-e5a2-4694-923c-22f5a8eeeb7a&assetDataId=d800bd95-d930-4d1e-a9c0-
c2a5e79e5f41.
The effects of mass media on society. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8007461/The-Effects-of-Mass-Media-on-Society
Peer Review Checklist
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Peer Review Checklist*
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What is the main point of this essay? |
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Does the introduction grab your interest and make you want to read on? Explain your answer. |
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*Adapted from Reinking, J. A., Hart, A. W., & Von der Osten, R. (2001). Strategies for successful writing: A rhetoric, research guide, reader, and handbook (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
