Media has become the lifeline of modern entertainment Industry. It not only provides information but also helps in the dissemination of ideas to every nook and corner of the globe. Medium of the media can be different such as TV, Radio, Newspapers or Internet, but they serve the same purpose. Billed as the powerful way of communication, media has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at each of them:
Positive aspect of media:
Making people informative:
Individual become more informative about the national and international current affairs. They are introduced to the local news and events that enlightens them and plays an important role in the formulation of the public opinion. With the advent of electronic media, images and videos are beamed across the world via television and the mobile gadgets. People can access information at the click of the button.
Transparency:
Media has helped to make the working of a nation extremely transparent. According to the experts, it is the third pillar of democracy after the government and the people. Common man can air his grievances without any problem through the social media so that the higher authorities of the ruling class can take action for their good. Unlike the past when decision making was masked by opacity, the functioning of the modern government is scrutinized lock stock and barrel by the media.
Source of entertainment:
Television, cinema halls and print media are crucial in projecting the soft power of the society. They help to make the local culture and tradition popular among the viewers. In addition, people can watch movies, documentaries and entertaining content to feel rejuvenated as well as happy.
Social message:
Media has become a boon for the developing world as it has focused on the social ills of the society existing in those countries. Majority of people are not aware about the practices that are detrimental to the society. Television and social media highlights the issue in detail and keeps the people updated. Once the government takes stock of the public opinion, it can proceed ahead and ban the practices that are harmful to society. Issues such as poverty and child labor are effectively addressed by the media group around the world.
Negative aspect of media:
Creating wrong impression on the teens:
Media creates a very strong influence on the young people as they tend to believe whatever is shown on TV and social websites. As a result, they fall into the trap of bad habit and find it difficult to leave the addiction. Excessive adult content can also cause lots of problems to young minds.
Manipulating public opinion:
It is said that media should provide neutral news however the truth is hypothetical because all media houses have a certain bias in their narration. Due to allegiance to different parties, people are exposed to only one side of the truth. As a result, media has caused lots of social upheavals across the world resulting in political turmoil.
Manipulation of the psyche of the audience is a dangerous precedent and should be discouraged by the intellectuals. The juggernaut of media is a double edged sword because one hand if used properly it can prove to be a boon for the society and on the other it could sound the death knell of the social fabric.
These are some of the positive and negative aspects of the media. Share your opinion in the comments below.