Discuss the significance of the media in shaping values and practices Essay

Discuss the significance of the media in shaping values and practices in contemprary societies - Essay Example Forms. There are different forms of media including analog and digital media, which are both equally prominent in the lives of people around the world. Media is understood to include the radio, film, television, video, newspapers, magazines, radio, films, compact discs, current affairs programs and advertising - all of which are considered in relation to media audiences. In the rise of technology, the Internet has highly become an addition to these media. Media may inform us and alert us about current events and other important information. However, media may conceal deception. This indicates that although media is intended for something positive as in providing unbiased data to the public, it can be unreliable at times. When a medium is intentionally partial to one side or deletes some details of a story, the intention of that medium is dubious. On this score, media can shape values and practices in contemporary societies positively or negatively. This significant role of media can best be understood not only in relation to our daily lives but also within the context of larger social forces such as the economy, politics and technological development (Alexander & Hanson, 1999). Characteristics. One way to understand media is to look at its certain qualities that must be taken into consideration as either positive or negative. As Pungente (1989) characterizes media, they primarily present carefully crafted constructions that are the result of many factors. For example, in the making of news, there are principles to follow and there are structures that must be adhered to. Yet, there are the factors that help shape them like ownership and control of the medium. News must be constructed and presented in such a way that it will not hurt the owners’ interests. It is the same with advertising and all the other presentations, where care and timing are considered, yet effects and impacts on the audience are equally studied - again based