Media made a scapegoat for societies problems?

PCros

Would love a few thoughts on this subject.

Do you think we pick on the media for stuff that happens as opposed to blaming it on drink and drugs because the sources of those two, especially the latter, are hard to track down etc.

mikemac

I don't blame anything on drink or drugs. If some junkie robs me as he needs cash for his next fix, I don't blame drugs, I blame the junkie.

And if some driver is drunk and kills someones then you blame the driver and not the drink.

It's all about personal responsibilty and not this ****e about being products of our environment, ie I grew up in flats so it's to be expected I turn to crime and drugs.

Your argument makes no sense.
Or have I misunderstood it?

biko

Don't shoot the messenger. Media always sensationalise things to sell papers.
Certainly the ethics of some papers, ie tabloids can be questionable.

PCros

micmclo wrote:

I don't blame anything on drink or drugs. If some junkie robs me as he needs cash for his next fix, I don't blame drugs, I blame the junkie.

And if some driver is drunk and kills someones then you blame the driver and not the drink.

It's all about personal responsibilty and not this ****e about being products of our environment, ie I grew up in flats so it's to be expected I turn to crime and drugs.

Your argument makes no sense.
Or have I misunderstood it?

Its more of an open discussion rather than an argument. Good points all the same!

SimpleSam06

PCros wrote:

Would love a few thoughts on this subject.

Do you think we pick on the media for stuff that happens as opposed to blaming it on drink and drugs because the sources of those two, especially the latter, are hard to track down etc.

A large portion of media advertising euros come from the alcoholic beverage companies, as does a lot of GAA sponsorship. They wouldn't be spending that money unless they thought it would return to them exponentially.

There is a belief, among large media groups especially, that they can "shape" society. One of the earliest efforts was that enormous advert, MTV, and the whole "rebel culture" thing, promoted and extolled by media companies. The net effect was an artificial generation gap, with the younger people distancing themselves from their older and wiser relations, and turning to guess who for guidance? Thats right, the media companies. Seperate the weakest members of the herd from the strongest, and you will eat well.

Another example of this effect is the media coverage in the US, which is aimed at the lowest common denominator, since those are the most likely to purchase products based on their viewing habits. Creating a vicious circle, the lowest common denominator mindset becomes the de facto "hip" standard, and bang, we have the traditional dumb Americans of today.

The internet has proved to have a tremendous mitigating effect against the influence of old media companies, which is why they are sponsoring a variety of initiatives designed to balkanise and limit access to the web (google "net neutrality" amongst others, and while you're at it try to get onto Google.com, rather than google.ie; good luck with that).

The ability to converse with strangers thousands of miles away as casually as if they were standing at the bus stop with you is changing society, and media companies are terrified of the threat. People are learning to distrust them. It remains to be seen how this one will play out.

JC 2K3

I can't remember the last time I heard the Media blamed for anything.....

What are you basing this on OP?

I mean, I wish the media was blamed and condemned more, but it really isn't.

randomname2005

micmclo wrote:

It's all about personal responsibilty and not this ****e about being products of our environment.

Exactly, there is a huge lack of personal responsibility in Ireland at the moment (possibly in the world but I'm not qualified to comment on that). And it starts at the highest level - from government all the way down. You do something wrong, you stick your hand up and say it was your fault, you dont hide behind some bullcrap excuse. The media report what goes on, maybe in a sensationalist way, but it is down to each person to be responsible for what they do.

R

SimpleSam06

randomname2005 wrote:

The media report what goes on, maybe in a sensationalist way, but it is down to each person to be responsible for what they do.

This lot might beg to differ with you. I get four hundred and seventy four million results, there. I mean ethically and morally I agree with you completely, but to ignore the influence of media, and marketing in media, on people's actions is just naive.

hupyago

I have no problem with the media in the simplest meaning of the word.It's the mainstream media that are the problem.The violence atc. that we see obviously affects behaviour, but it's up to the individual to be wise in what he supports by paying for and reading/listening to/viewing

Black Swan

The media is a business. They provide entertainment for us bored souls, or they go out of business. Think the sweeps. When they get their ratings to attract advertisers.