Media and Its Ethical Responsibilities
Media and Its Ethical Responsibilities
SOC120 Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Charles Kaye
March 19, 2012
Media and Its Ethical Responsibilities
Mass media has become a major influence in our lives throughout the years. We live in a society that is dependent on information and communication. We rely on these daily for direction and help to accomplish basic activities such as work, education, traveling, etc…. Due to the advancement of technology, life has become much easier for people. Today, people utilize their cell phones to communicate, computers to search information, and televisions to watch their favorite shows. These are some examples of the positive effects of the media, but what are the negative effects? The media provides us all the things that we need from acquiring information to maintaining communication with other people, but when can we say that the media has gone too far? In this paper, I will discuss the media’s influence on society and cultural values as well as instances where it has crossed boundaries. I will also explain how deontology would resolve this problem and in contrast, relativism would bring to this issue.
The media can be represented in many ways; through print, broadcast, television, advertising, etc… Media can influence people’s thinking and instills a negative thinking pattern in the society. One example of media is advertising and its purpose is to sell products. While doing so, the ad also portrays values, images and concepts of perfection. Too often ads have their own portrayal of what it means to be a man or woman. For example, they display the image of ideal female beauty and which is represented by flawless skin, luscious hair and unnaturally thin bodies. Advertisers indicate that having these qualities is what makes a woman perfect. In addition, women are often portrayed as sex objects. Sexiness is one of the most popular ways of portraying a woman. This is done to primarily
SOC120 Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
Charles Kaye
March 19, 2012
Media and Its Ethical Responsibilities
Mass media has become a major influence in our lives throughout the years. We live in a society that is dependent on information and communication. We rely on these daily for direction and help to accomplish basic activities such as work, education, traveling, etc…. Due to the advancement of technology, life has become much easier for people. Today, people utilize their cell phones to communicate, computers to search information, and televisions to watch their favorite shows. These are some examples of the positive effects of the media, but what are the negative effects? The media provides us all the things that we need from acquiring information to maintaining communication with other people, but when can we say that the media has gone too far? In this paper, I will discuss the media’s influence on society and cultural values as well as instances where it has crossed boundaries. I will also explain how deontology would resolve this problem and in contrast, relativism would bring to this issue.
The media can be represented in many ways; through print, broadcast, television, advertising, etc… Media can influence people’s thinking and instills a negative thinking pattern in the society. One example of media is advertising and its purpose is to sell products. While doing so, the ad also portrays values, images and concepts of perfection. Too often ads have their own portrayal of what it means to be a man or woman. For example, they display the image of ideal female beauty and which is represented by flawless skin, luscious hair and unnaturally thin bodies. Advertisers indicate that having these qualities is what makes a woman perfect. In addition, women are often portrayed as sex objects. Sexiness is one of the most popular ways of portraying a woman. This is done to primarily
References: Alan, W. & Ernest, H. (1997). Mass Media & Society, Greenwich, CT., Ablex Publishing Corporation Gaus, G. F. (2001). What is Deontology? Part One: Orthodox Views. The Journal of Value Inquiry, 35(1), 27-42. Glanzberg, M. (2007). Context, Content, and Relativism (Draft). Philosophical Studies, 30(3), 1- 42 Mosser, K. (2010). Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc National Eating Disorders Association. (2012). Factors That May Contribute to Eating Disorders Witt, G.A., & Mossler, R.A. (2010) Adult Development. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/4