Human Trafficking's Relationship with the Media

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Mass Comm. Theory and Research Human Trafficking’s Relationship with the Media Introduction "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (Declaration of Independence, ).” In the media there have been many movies, documentaries, articles, television broadcasts that centered on raising awareness for human trafficking. It has been going on for far too long and many don’t realize or recognize that is going on strongly in America and to Americans; as well as, surrounding countries. Human Trafficking by definition is the trade in humans, most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or for the extraction of organs or tissues, including surrogacy and ova removal. It is modern form of slavery that strips victims of their freedom and violates our nation’s promise that every person in the United States is guaranteed basic human rights. It is also a crime. Approximately three out of every 1,000 persons worldwide were in forced labor at any given point in time between 2002 and 2011. Victims of human trafficking include not only men and women lured into forced labor by the promise of a better life in the United States, but also boys and girls who were born and raised in here in the United States. Human trafficking and its relationship with the media/news will be discussed throughout the remainder of this paper, focus will be placed on how they present the topic, whether or not enough awareness is being raised toward the topic and is it making a difference. The news job is to inform the public of events that occurring around them. The paper will be focusing on new... ... middle of paper ... ...urring in third world countries. The reports also gave facts about the industry and how it is one of the leading industries in the US. The News Media also provides the public with hotlines to call in case they spot anything, the hotlines are also open to those in help. They make the public aware of safe- houses that survivors can be taken to when they escape. My new question is now what happens when you have two media outlets working against each other. The news reports and brings awareness while we have some online sites promote and help the growth on the human trafficking industry. Can anything be done to help decrease how many lives will be ruined, how many parents lie awake at night wondering if their children are alive and well. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebekah-iliff/technology-sex-trafficking_b_2992522.html The News media can only do so much alone.

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