What I've Learned About The Media

Like most folks I have been an observer and consumer of mass media virtually all of my life. Additionally, I have had some, limited, experience over the years that has given me a little bit of an inside peek into the creation and production of mass media and I have learned a few things.

Please understand I freely admit I’m not an expert in the world of mass media, but I’m going to go ahead and offer a few opinions on some lessons learned. Obviously, you can feel free to agree or disagree with the lessons I’m sharing. Or, you may simply turn off your computer and take a nap.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED ABOUT THE MEDIA

·         Media content can be edited in such a way—even using actual audio or video of a person or event—that a person can appear to be saying something he/she did not actually mean to say. This type of editing is not as unusual as we might expect. In other words, we consumers need to be careful because the old adage, “seeing is believing” is not necessarily true in the world of mass media.

·         Almost all media outlets have a point of view or bias, even if they pretend to present a completely impartial point of view. It is usually helpful to know their point of view when considering their content. Even if we agree with the bias of a particular media provider (for example, I totally agree with the clear bias that is presented in Sponge Bob cartoons) it is still nice to be aware of the bias because it will allow us to have a better and more honest understanding.

·         Much of the media content which is intended to appear totally spontaneous is not as spontaneous as we are led to believe.

·         Major mass media providers are businesses and they only survive, from a business standpoint, by reaching as many people as possible. In addition to this reality, competition for our limited attention is greater than ever. So, it is very common for media content to be presented in such a way that it appears more sensational than it really is. If this means the truth is stretched a little bit, then it is considered to be a necessary reality of life in the media world that the truth is compromised.

·         The fact that there are many more sources of media content is frustrating to the old time media providers—frankly, they’re ticked—they used to have a fairly captive audience, so to speak. But more options are a good thing. It gives the average consumer the opportunity to be better informed. Of course, we may take advantage of the opportunity or we may not, but at least the opportunity is there.

·         Major media providers regularly utilize research from the field of psychology to know how to push our buttons; be persuasive; maximize their ability to get and hold our attention; and, frankly, manipulate us. So, if you occasionally feel like you are being manipulated by the media, well, there’s a good chance you are. (By the way, doesn’t a nice cold Mountain Dew sound good right now?)

·         Learning some of the simple, basic rules of logic will help us identify the logical errors that are often used in the media. When some of the basics of logic are known, it is interesting to see how frequently emotional tactics and logically invalid arguments are presented.

·         One time a reporter misquoted me in a newspaper article in such a way that it created a false impression of the church where I am the pastor. (I do not need any outside help in creating trouble for myself, thank you. I can handle that all by myself.) It was not possible for me to correct this misquote in a way that would significantly change the false impression that had been established. That was a frustrating lesson. So even when we read a quote, keep in mind, it is possible we are not reading an entirely accurate quote.

·         The influence of the media on our lives is profound. The influence is so powerful that if most of the major media providers push an issue, ideology, belief, point of view, etc., long enough it is likely—after a while—to be accepted by the majority of people. Over time, the media even influences the deeply help moral beliefs of large numbers of people. This is an incredibly significant form of power. It helps when we are aware of the power that is being wielded.

·         Mass media is a way of providing information to large numbers of people and this can be very good and helpful. I realize this post may come across as fairly negative. Believe it or not, I am actually not suggesting mass media is entirely negative. It is not. It offers us some genuinely beneficial forms of help. The fact that we can push a button and have a virtually limitless source of information and entertainment is extraordinary. I like it. But, as usual, it’s always helpful for consumers to be knowledgeable and informed about that which they are consuming.