The human brain depends on information to be able to function optimally. The kind and quality of information that an individual engages with determined their beliefs, perceptions and attitudes. The information and news media have experienced immense developed in the last centuries and has continued to develop even more in the current century. The development of information and news media has affected the American culture in various ways having both positive and negative impacts.
Just like any other industry, the media is also mandated to upholding social responsibility. While the news media may not have been committed to fulfilling social responsibility, they most definitely have a call and mandate to social responsibility. Media freedom and advancement is a representation of democracy. However, the development has made it a rather controversial issues regarding what should be exposed to the public and what should not. This is especially controversial when a media platform airs content that is believed to be a show of disregard for social responsibility (Berger, 2012). The same content in a different context is viewed as media freedom and also the public’s right to information. Irrespective of the explanations given by the relevant parties, the media has a social responsibility. A socially responsible media platform should be considerate if what it airs. First, the media is mandated to offering true information and avoiding the use of false or exaggerated information to command a large following. It is also a social responsibility for a media platform to keep off from airing information that could result in chaos or insecurity such as political incitement statements made by political rivals. News and information media is expected to observe the rights and individuals of other people such as the information that involves an individual’s privacy and security. While true information is aired, its effect on different people should also be considered (Pavlik, 2008). For instance, when airing a rape case, it would be irresponsible for the involved media to expose the victim whether a minor or not on Tv or Newspaper. It would also be irresponsible to air a coverage of people being massacred by terrorists even when the information is true. The news media may choose when to engage in social responsibility or not and be considerate of the issues that are needed for varying periods of time.
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The nature of political demands that the individuals or politicians involved maintaining a close contact with the populations they represent through means that strengthen their relationship. This is because politicians need to convince and persuade the electorate to vote for them or agree with them when they are already in office. The citizens learn about their national government and politics from media such as newspapers and televisions and with the recent technology advancements through the internet. Increased media exposure determines the political knowledge of the public thus influencing their attitude and behaviour. For instance, the most recent presidential elections held between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump had its campaigns being covered by live Television including the presidential debates. In this case, the electorate would depend on the information aired over the media and decide on their preferred choice of candidate. At the same time, politicians are also able to learn what the population likes and dislikes about them to adjust and improve (Shapiro and Jacobs, 2011). The news media has been the largest and the most effective link for politicians to their electorate to the extent of sharing live programs where questions are asked and answered.
Electronic media involves the distribution and usage of information using electronic devices such as radio, television among others that are in contrast with the print media. The globe is electronically connected where a vast of messages are sent and received and constantly while providing information flow through televisions and radio among others. This has impacted news consumption and the entire field of journalism in a big way. This includes positive ways such as facilitating speedy ways of transmitting the information, wide coverage, lower costs and the exchange of immediate feedback. Electronic media has also affected journalism negatively such as by increasing the possibility of legal battles following issues such as distortion of data which may end up costing more resources than the capital thus resulting in losses (Shapiro and Jacobs, 2011). With electronic media, journalists can transmit information to their audiences within the least time possible. The audiences, on the other hand, can connect to their leaders and other protection on the community.
The role of the information and news media on the US culture is one characterized by both short-term and long-term goals. It has both advantages and disadvantages that have a significant impact on the society. The transmission of information has become more effective than it was. Journalists are in a position to deliver quality information and on time while the audiences receive the information, can ask questions and get feedback within a short time. The US being the world’s largest economy has seen the freedom of the media develop from the time it was not so popular to the modern time when it plays a critical role in communication and politics. Politics have particularly benefited from this concept of news media by utilizing it to connect with their audiences and electorate with ease.
References
Berger, A. A. (2012). Media and society: A critical perspective. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Pavlik, J. V. (2008). Media in the digital age. New York: Columbia University Press.
Shapiro, R. Y., & Jacobs, L. R. (2011). The Oxford handbook of American public opinion and the media. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
