I think it’s been demonstrated that the news we watch suffers from some form of manipulation. This problem has been examined many times by media watchdogs and will probably continue to do so.
Television, radio and various other media will continue to evolve and change throughout the years and there is no doubt that slicker ways to advertise and present news will be researched. The bottom line is that there is money to be made and executives to be paid. The only way media manipulation can be reined back is if the viewers themselves begin to seriously examine and question the news that they’re watching. Questions such as: Am I getting all the facts? From what political perspective is this being told? Is there a political agenda for this particular story? Who will benefit from my thinking a certain way? Why do I feel that I’m not getting all the news? Is there something more I should know?
Advertising must take more responsibility for itself and the false illusions it promotes, particularly as it affects young people. Unfortunately, the advertising industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and will likely not change, but get bigger and slicker. Therefore, parents need to discuss the programming, including the advertisements, that their children are watching in order for them to better understand how and why they are being manipulated.
Media manipulation will not go away, but responding to it with a critical mind and a questioning nature can put us more in the driver’s seat. Boycotting news stations is also a powerful tool at our disposal. We no longer have to have our thoughts and feelings manipulated as long as we can use our critical faculties to analyze and question the information we receive. Of course, the best way to avoid media manipulation altogether would be to turn off the television.
