In every facet of life, the media molds modern public life. Today we live in a world, which has been closely knit with a wide network of different types of media. Advertisements rule our waking hours and for some even during slumber. Although many people blame the media for invasion of privacy and even trivializing of news, we fail to realize that media is a mere reflection of the society we live in, the society we created ourselves.In this essay, I will be discussing the above title and also arguing that without Media, modern public life could not exist.
Research has revealed that media is responsible for influencing a major part of our daily life. Media contribute to a transformation in the cultural and social values of the masses. Media can bring about a change in the attitudes and beliefs of the common man. The persuasive nature of the content presented over media influences the thoughts and behavior of the general public. Media has a direct impact over the lifestyle of society.If you look into the definition of public life, the Collins Dictionary clearly states “The public refers to people in general or people of a particular place.
The public is used to talk about situations, issues, feelings and behaviours of individuals in general. A public figure uses the general public to push their message across, as they are influential in the public life. Public life is a space where a body of people can come together to discuss issues relating to their group, or interest.Considering today’s way of life, we would be lying if we didn’t admit that media is not an influential entity in our culture. Media today is one of the main causes for the paradigm shift in our culture. Culture can be defined as the way of life that includes beliefs, aesthetics and institutions of a civilization.
In recent times media theories that regard the audience as a passive entity have been discarded and more advanced media theories that take into account the audience response have been formulated. So while today’s audience is a lot more educated, intellectual and less influential, it is a fact that despite cognitive abilities of the audience, the media has been successfully ingraining several values and elements into a large section of our society.While the media is usually seen generally in bad light, it has also done its fair share in bringing awareness issues to modern public life. There is no doubt about the fact that there are certain media elements affecting our culture for better because had it not been for media, quick and easy flow of useful information and education would not have been possible.
The media has played a major role in positive developments like fight against racism, world poverty and spreading awareness about the world peace.Media has served as a blessing to mankind. It affects our decisions on matters, and we would not be able to differentiate without the assistance of the media. It has provided the modern public life with an exposure to the world outside the comfort of our cozy homes. It has resulted in an exchange of views on a variety of subjects of a wide variety of people from all around the world, thereby leading to a global sharing of knowledge.
Media avenues like mass media has given each of us a platform to voice our opinions on all sorts of social and political issues and share information with one another. It has brought out easy ways of communication and provided us with easily accessible means to reach out to people on the other side of the planet. Keeping in touch with friends from different countries has never been so easy of cost efficient. Thanks to the technological development, we have been able to achieve a platform that enables us to present ourselves to the rest of the world.
The media plays and integral role when it comes to educating modern public life on what is going on outside the each individual’s life. Media has several advantages as well as disadvantages in day-to-day life.It is important that public life be informed of issues that are going on in the world. The media plays a key role in disseminating Information. Media is an extensive resource of information for millions of people across the world. So whether it is television, the Internet, the radio and or the morning newspapers, the media offers an extensive source of information on a wide range of topics, which also broadens the horizons of knowledge.
Take the newspapers for example, apart from updating us with the latest news and new information, also contribute to the enhancement of our vocabulary. It can also be used as a fantastic educational tool for children, as newspapers are the best beginners in developing reading habits a child.It is vital for country harmony that public opinion stays somewhat consistent. The media plays an important role in shaping the public opinion. The media is an important medium, which informs the people about the latest news and happening around the world.
According to the agenda-setting theory of mass communication, the media plays an important role in shaping the public opinion.The recent advent of blogging in the media world and practices like public polls and citizen journalism, have led to the achievement of a social control. These concepts have strengthened the relationship between the media and the common man. They have brought the general masses closer to their society.
Media serve as the best means for a speedy spread of news about important incidents or events taking place. What has happened in the remotest corner of the world can reach us within minutes, thanks to media. The speed that technology has achieved is helpful in times of crisis when media is to be used for reporting news needing immediate attention. Be it world news or general useful information about any topic under the sky, it is the media which has it all!The media provides entertainment, which in many individual’s life comes on top of their list as a priority. Many media users make use of media as a form of entertainment by means of television shows, movies, or even music. The media like television, radio and the Internet increase an overall awareness of modern public life.
They enhance the general knowledge by providing us with information from all over the world. News broadcasted through different media helps us know about the day-to-day events in the world. News, telefilms and documentaries revolving around social issues increase a social awareness in children and develop their concern towards society.The media also provides a link between Government and the People. It isn’t enough that the news be provided to the general public, the media is also considered as a link between the government and the people since it informs the public about the general developments by the government and simultaneously serves as a voice of the general population, expressing their opinions and ideas.Many might not realize this fact, especially the younger generation, but the media plays a key role in delivering Justice and keeping a low crime rate.
The media plays an important role in publicizing cases, which require public attention. There have been ample number of examples wherein the media has been instrumental in creating public awareness about several criminal cases, which has led to speedy justice delivered to the victims.In conclusion, no matter how hard a light the media is being seen in, it has brought about a major transformation in the way the masses think. Media has given them an excellent platform to present themselves before the world and contribute in their own way to the changing world scenario. Media has been responsible for making the world a smaller place to live.
