Reading through the blogs of my fellow classmates, I have noticed a fairly consistent theme: they all talk negatively of media. Many of the blogs speak negatively about the relationship between media and stereotypes, citing media as the number one source of stereotype generation. Other blogs speak of the addiction many have to particular mediums, with one even going so far as to comparing a Facebook addiction to a heroin addiction. While I may share some of these beliefs, I do believe that media also has many positive aspects to it. Even aside from the communication of news, which most media do, there are other uses of media that serve a functional and positive role in society.
My first example is the amber alert system. The amber alert system is a child abduction alert bulletin that alerts people through numerous mediums when a child is abducted. Descriptions of the child, as well as the suspected abductor and their vehicle, are sent via email and text message to those subscribed to receive alerts. Additionally, the descriptions can be seen on electronic traffic signs and on billboards of participating companies. This revolutionary system has already saved lives, and proves just how valuable media are in our society.
Another example are wanted posters posted by the FBI. The US Government uses media in a very smart manner, as they post pictures of wanted criminals in public places with information about the criminal as well as the monetary reward for their capture. The FBI even goes a step further and airs a popular show, America's Most Wanted, to help capture criminals. As of September 4, 2010, 1,128 criminals have been arrested because of this television show (Wikipedia).
In light of the Virginia Tech Massacre, where a gunman opened fire on a college campus and killed 32 innocent civilians, colleges around the world are deploying a campus alert system to warn students of potential danger immediately. The primary way campuses are able to do so is through text message. A text message can be sent and received in a matter of seconds, giving students valuable time to find safety and avoid danger. Babson has an alert system, and it is just one of many ways that media are savings lives and protecting the public.
Kevin, for the past few weeks I have been following your blog as you continue to post insightful comments but I particularly enjoyed reading this blog. I think that too many times people view media in a negative light and I believe that often times it is unwarranted. I think you listed several key and important examples of how media is used to help us and in a positive way. I think in times of crisis we should look to use media to help us as it is another tool at our disposal. Tip of the hat to you on a job well done.
ReplyDeleteI sympathize with your sentiment to say something positive about media, because really there are always two sides of the issue about media--one good, one bad. It depends on which side you choose to focus on. Media have certainly done us lots of good, which is pretty much taken for granted. Thus the impulse to look at its adverse side.
ReplyDeleteLikewise, in your example, one can also make an opposite argument, saying that media alert systems sometimes do more than the prevention of crime than creating the culture of fear--"keep everyone afraid so they'll obey" (Bowling for Columbine). How many times do you see tornado warnings with nothing happening afterwards. The security status of the airport is always "orange." We spend our whole life being afraid of something bad happening, and most of these times we are actually far away from any danger.
I'm wondering what you think about this side of the argument?
d.