Reflections of Diversity in the Media
Week 3 Assignment
Reflections on Diversity in the Media
Michael N. Manneh
ORG 6499
Dr. Jeannine Klein
September 19, 2011
ABSTRACT
The media often misrepresents a person, a people, a place, or an idea, and does so without hesitation. There are many methods and mediums the media uses to reach the great majority of the world. Whether it is by use of print, such as newspapers or magazines, or by broadcast, by means of television, radio and the internet, the media has a way of presenting information to suit its purpose, whatever that may be. Using a series of images and words of and about Latinos/Hispanics that were collected from the internet and newspapers, this essay will seek to reflect on the positive and negative connotations of these images and words.
Reflections on Diversity in the Media
What is the media? Is it more than our eyes and ears to the world? Is the media more than words and images on a screen meant to provide information? There are many definitions of what the media is and what purpose it serves. Regardless of these definitions, the fact remains that the media shapes the world. It has the capability to drive the world in whatever direction it so desires. The media has become a numbers game, driven by ratings and demographics, seeking to provide information of a shock value-centered subject matter, which will draw more viewers. As such, a story of a graphic or tragic nature would gain more viewers than one of a soft-hearted or positive, humane-centered story. Given these facts, it is a rarity to find a lead story that carries a positive vibe. These stories are usually given brief segments, usually no more than 2 to 3 minutes of spot-light time. The media often misrepresents a person, a people, a place, or an idea, and does so without hesitation. There are many methods and mediums the media uses to reach the great majority of the world. Whether it is by use of print, such as newspapers or magazines, or by broadcast, by means of
Reflections on Diversity in the Media
Michael N. Manneh
ORG 6499
Dr. Jeannine Klein
September 19, 2011
ABSTRACT
The media often misrepresents a person, a people, a place, or an idea, and does so without hesitation. There are many methods and mediums the media uses to reach the great majority of the world. Whether it is by use of print, such as newspapers or magazines, or by broadcast, by means of television, radio and the internet, the media has a way of presenting information to suit its purpose, whatever that may be. Using a series of images and words of and about Latinos/Hispanics that were collected from the internet and newspapers, this essay will seek to reflect on the positive and negative connotations of these images and words.
Reflections on Diversity in the Media
What is the media? Is it more than our eyes and ears to the world? Is the media more than words and images on a screen meant to provide information? There are many definitions of what the media is and what purpose it serves. Regardless of these definitions, the fact remains that the media shapes the world. It has the capability to drive the world in whatever direction it so desires. The media has become a numbers game, driven by ratings and demographics, seeking to provide information of a shock value-centered subject matter, which will draw more viewers. As such, a story of a graphic or tragic nature would gain more viewers than one of a soft-hearted or positive, humane-centered story. Given these facts, it is a rarity to find a lead story that carries a positive vibe. These stories are usually given brief segments, usually no more than 2 to 3 minutes of spot-light time. The media often misrepresents a person, a people, a place, or an idea, and does so without hesitation. There are many methods and mediums the media uses to reach the great majority of the world. Whether it is by use of print, such as newspapers or magazines, or by broadcast, by means of
References: Media Matters for America. April 28, 2006 CNN hire Beck: Illegal immigrants are either "terrorists," outlaws, or people who "can 't make a living in their own dirtbag country" Retrieved from http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200604280003 on September 19, 2011 Parrillo, V. (2011). Strangers to These Shores: Race and Ethnic Relations in the United States (Tenth Edition.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education. Pilger, John The Hidden Power Of The Media 1996 Socialist Review Retrieved from http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr200/pilger.htm on September 19, 2011 Latin American Herald Tribune Hispanics Fight Deportation One Case At A Time September 19, 2011. Retrieved on September 19, 2011 from http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12395&ArticleId=368652