The Media - a brief introduction
Is the truth really out there?
People describe the media as a mirror reflecting society. The reality is that they are a distorting mirror, shaping society - and shaping the way we think:
- News coverage shapes what we believe. Journalists do not just report the news; they shape it - if a story is not reported, it is not news.
- Entertainment programs shape how we behave by their example. Dishonesty and immorality must be OK because that is how they live in films and soap operas.
- Adverts shape the way we spend our money. We are persuaded that we have to have this or that product to be attractive and successful.
A shopping mall for ideas
The mass media offer us a tremendous range of ideas and beliefs: These include a huge growth of interest in the paranormal and New Age influence. (For example in the new Star Trek series 'Voyager', the first officer is a Native American. When in doubt he consults his spirit guide.)
Programs like the 'X-Files' are not just popular because of David Duchovny, but because of the world-view they portray.
A recent issue of the 'Radio Times' magazine in Britain carried an article called 'O Come All Ye Faiths'. It described how television coverage of religion in the UK has changed from traditional 'Christian' programs like 'Songs of Praise' to include the Scientologist John Travolta, and the novelist Jackie Collins, who (the article says) 'flirts with Buddhism'.
No quality control
But although the range of options is so wide, we are not given any help to choose between them. The mass media are a shopping mall for ideas - but there is no quality control of the goods on offer. Some of them should carry a warning. They may seriously damage your health!
The danger is that we may think there are so many different ideas (and the evidence for them is so confusing) that we cannot know what is real. So we do not really believe in UFOs, aliens, or spirit guides. We are not convinced of their reality. We do not live on the basis of this conviction. Yet at the same time, we suspend disbelief. We refuse to rule out anything, but also refuse to commit to anything. As a result, we become cynical and disillusioned.
Need to watch critically
If we accept the media's input to our lives uncritically we are vulnerable to being manipulated. This makes it vitally important for us to examine the messages we are receiving, and to think through how they are affecting us:
- What world view are they showing us?
- What view of right and wrong?
- What is the truth of their message?
- What effect will it have on our spirits?
If we do not think about these questions, we shall be like frogs in slowly heated water: cooked without realizing it. That is why this web site includes these pages on what is happening in the media.
Follow the 'Films' and 'Television' links on the menu for reviews of specific movies and TV series.