Mass Media Influence

The influence the mass media has in todays America is the strongest it has ever been. Never before has any country been more brainwashed by the images and voices of those behind a television or computer screen. Millions of people all over the country tune in everyday with blank stares on their faces, waiting to hear the 6 o’clock news or watch the newest Fox sitcom. In a sense we have become slaves to the screen, we allow our selves to be manipulated by all the information it provides us, which often times can be very harmful. Worst of all is the affect the mass media is having on the children of American. Like adults children are just as glued to their screens, if not more, as their parents. Today the American children live in a world in which

It surrounds us all and provides the people with the entertainment and information there minds crave. The media may appear innocent and harmless, but those controlling what we see on the screens day after day are far more diabolical and clever then we can imagine. The media is a business, and in Dave Barry’s article, titled “Red White and Beer,” Barry talks about how the goal of the media, in terms of the business aspect, is to influence the viewers and turn them into consumers. Barry emphasizes that the media plays an influential role in how we live our lives, and has the power to influence the decisions we make on a daily basis. In Barry’s article he jokes about how the media fools Americans into thinking that drinking an American brewed beer makes you a true patriot. He says the beer companies do this by endorsing patriotic values into their commercials, in order to convince American citizens that drinking their beer makes you patriotic. For instance Barry says, “The airwaves are saturated with pro-American commercials. Especially popular are commercials in which the newly restored Statue of Liberty appears to be endorsing various products, as if she were Mary Lou Retton or somebody” (Barry 453). Barry’s point is that the media is taking advantage by turning symbols of American freedom into endorsements for beers and various American made products. Although Barry is humorous in his article he is quite

Although this problem touches upon all age groups, some would argue that todays mass media is most damaging for young children. Ross believes that the impact the media has on young children is damaging to their growth and self-image. In Ross’s article she specifically talks about how Disney is placing negative messages in the minds of young girls. In regard to Disney, Ross says that, “In particular, most girls’ stories of this era promoted humility, devotion, punctuality, and tidiness, implying that adventure is something a nice girl would be wise to avoid” (Ross 474). As a result millions of young girls are taught from a young age the ridiculous notion that adventure is no place for a female. Companies cannot get away with broadcasting these kinds of messages, especially in this day and age. Girls of our generation should be taught that they are willing and able to guide their own paths, not coward behind stereotypes of the