How Affective Is Media as a Type of Communication?

Media is undoubtedly the greatest medium of communication in our society, but how does media’s portrayal of violence affect us as a whole? Is music’s explicit lyrics and televisions raunchy and violent content the cause of our downfall, or is it merely an accurate depiction of today’s society? “Two young males were fatally shot with multiple gun wounds to the head and chest”, how many times have we all heard these words on the evening news? Although the news is a media to educate us on the goings on in the world, much of America chooses not to view these daily programs due to the fact that most of it concentrates on violence. Though, violence is not only limited the local news which merely exposes us to what actually takes place, but what about the many violent television programs that frequent our airwaves. With the eruption of professional wrestling, our children now view beating each other up, breaking chairs, choke holding and the various other violent gimmicks used by these wrestlers as an exciting norm. “Hasta La Vista Baby”, the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger as he as he literally annihilates a mall full of shoppers. These are the types of gruesome acts that moviegoers pay millions of dollars a year to see. Do the R ratings attract us? Is it the gore that we view on the TV previews? Or, is it the mentality that society has cultivated towards violence? The more gruesome the movie, the more likely we are to run out to see it on opening night. Our society is such that we tend to put on a pedestal the actors and actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the silver screen. Ultimately sex and violence sells, and in this society the almighty dollar is of utmost importance. Parents cannot stop children from witnessing the harsh realities of society, violence, sex and crime. However, it is their role as parents to enforce a strong sense of morality. What a cruel world we live in when even the cartoons viewed by our youth are plagued with murder and violence. How can we fight the cruelties portrayed on TV and in the movies, when it has become a true part of our society? People are not born with the inept ability to know right from wrong. A wide variety of factors determine a person’s moral. Religion, culture, environment and society all play important roles in how a person will develop. Though ultimately, it is the family and the parents in particular, that instills the moral fiber of an individual. However, in this society we have witnessed many incidents where although a person may have the “proper upbringing”, the negative effects of TV and media, has manifest itself into violence, criminal behavior and other unacceptable conduct. Although as stated previously, violent movies and TV shows produce high ratings, highly paid actors, and a forum for us to escape the so called “realities of life”, but what are the long term consequences? Can it be that after many years of producing and viewing violence, we are cultivating a society of criminal minded individuals? If we could compare the way that society was prior to television, would we be able to see a difference in social behavior? Can we then venture to say that although technology has been a positive attribute, to what extent has it affected society negatively? Nevertheless, television and media quenches our societies thirst for adventure and danger and allows us to witness firsthand the violence that is among us. But the question is “how far is too far”. Media is undoubtedly the greatest medium of communication in our society, but how does media’s portrayal of violence affect us as a whole? Is music’s explicit lyrics and televisions raunchy and violent content the cause of our downfall, or is it merely an accurate depiction of today’s society? “Two young males were fatally shot with multiple gun wounds to the head and chest”, how many times have we all heard these words on the evening news? Although the news is a media to educate us on the goings on in the world, much of America chooses not to view these daily programs due to the fact that most of it concentrates on violence. Though, violence is not only limited the local news which merely exposes