Science Media (mostly) and the Arts Part 2
The Media
One of the most important things about the media is that they are supposed to be free and independent of the government. i think it goes without saying that the government should limit its usage of the media. The government should not use the media for propaganda purposes, as it potentially takes away commercial opportunities. The media exists as a free enterprise to entertain and inform people.
The government depending on a propaganda machine suggests that the government is trying to justify a horrible course of action.
What the Media Should Not Be Used For
As i said above, the media should not be used as a propaganda machine. Ideally, the media would show no bias one way or the other and just report the facts (in the political arena). However, dull facts do not create rating - there is no conflict. Hard news is no longer there (or at least an endangered species). i get that people want to be entertained and uphold their perception biases. It should, however, not try to live up to Operation Mockingbird.
A politician can and should use the available media he/she/it can to get the message across (in the form of paid advertising). However, an elected official, like a president should not set up media events as a form of opinion manipulation. Things like the State of the Union address are more of advertisements/infomercials (and should have to be paid for) than a news event. Also, do not use the media to directly attack your opponents. The media seems to have an agenda (may differ from outlet to outlet) and their coverage doesn't do anyone favors.
How about what happens in DC stays in DC, without using media to manipulate constituents to try and force your programs through (with less delicacy than a nuclear bomb). The media should choose when politicians are worth covering, politicians should not solicit coverage. Politicians like Obama appeared on TV so many times, it might have been less if they offered him his own reality show.
Bias
You may have heard that the media has some sort of bias. Maybe it's a political bias or a regional bias (things do happen outside DC and NYC). As a consumer of media entertainment (where bias is the product) it might be helpful to know what the biases of a particular organization are. The media, in its quest for ratings, does like to sensationalize events and use soundbites without the correct context (or in some cases incorrectly extrapolate statements - put words not said into people's mouths - like inject bleach).
It is nice to see both sides at times (even if the other side is crazy, manipulative and evil), at other times you might find yourself rolling your eyes and wondering what psychotropic substance the host is currently abusing.
Media Bias Chart | AllSides not sure i agree with all their rankings, though.
A conservative may have as hard of time watching MSNBC as a liberal does watching FOX News (before the leftward shift). Know that you see the world through a filter (so does everyone else). Don't take everything on the news they say to you as facts - yes, they can and do lie to you.
They might be facts run through a filter and reported a certain way to inspire a certain response (outrage, disdain, bemusement, bafflement, etc). You will never hear the whole story. Also try not to fall for cheap political theatrics.
TV as a Parent
i know that TV can be a nice release from the constant, unrelenting barrage of reality, however TV should not be used as a parent. Kids should not be setting their moral compasses based off of whatever shows are popular on TV. TV may reflect real life somewhat (except "reality shows"), but the filter they put it through is fantasy.
Children, inexperienced in the ways of the world, might view something on TV and view it as acceptable behavior. i am not asserting that someone will imitate whatever they see on TV (though some do, they are even sit-com episodes about it). It is important for children to know the difference between TV and reality (though i always hoped reality was relative). The moral code setting is the responsibility of the partent(s)/guardian(s).
TV should also not be used as a babysitter (of course i can say this because i don't have kids, and sadly probably never will). Just putting your kids in front of the TV with whatever movie, show or video game is not really watching them - it is more delegating the responsibility to an electronic medium. i know people can become busy and not have time to do everything on their list, but hopefully they can spend quality time with their children.
The FCC (And Censorship)
i am not really a fan of the FCC, at least from the potential censorship issue. i am not a fan of censorship - especially government mandated. The network should be able to show whatever they see fit. If they want to show hard core porn in prime time, they should be allowed to. Most media outfits are corporate in nature and have the responsibility of maximizing shareholder value - so they wouldn't "rock the boat" too much.
There is a difference between accepted standards and censorship. Censorship through the governments sets up all kinds of first amendment issues of what is "acceptable". But really, it should not be the government (or any governmental agency's) right to decide. If people do not like what the network is doing, they just will not watch, and the sponsors will leave.
This could all theoretically apply to internet too.
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