The term
"the media" is thrown around a lot but is very important to the
world, as it exists to tie the human race together and keep people across the
globe up to date.
Mass media
has a purpose, and forms have two or three, which include to:
1. Express an opinion or point of view
2. Educate through factual content and
information
3. Persuade viewers and listeners to buy a
product or think a certain way
4. Entertain an audience, as in video games or
movies
·
There are at least two major roles of media in a democratic society.
·
First, the media need to give people the information that they need in
order to make informed decisions about issues of the day.
·
Second, the media entities need to act as a "watchdog" to
ensure that government officials and agencies are acting in proper ways.
The media needs to investigate public officials whenever there seems to be any
sort of wrongdoing going on.
·
By doing these sorts of things, they help the people have the
information they need to rule themselves. This is the responsibility of
the media in a democratic society.
However, free-wheeling Philippine
media are basically profit oriented – especially during election campaign
period. - profit for the media entity/ owner and all the way down through the
opinion makers, writers and reporters. Broadcast media usually say they take no
sides in a political mudslinging but encourage dissensions to up their own ratings.
The selfish motive becomes evident when they shift sides as election time
nears.
I still have to see
media persons working at exposing mainly wrongdoings anywhere while trying to
steer protagonists toward the truth for the common good.
