The Media From A Sociological Standpoint: Part 2

Most of news media is entertainment that constantly over simplifies and this leads to a lack of context. It is difficult to understand why certain media networks put more or less emphasis, personalization, dramatization, or contextualized political debates than others (Benson 277). The media must be strategic when providing political information in shaping public’s thoughts about social problems. The media’s objective is to acquire as many viewers as possible so they must find controversial topics that will keep their audience interested. Media power has remained the center of debate because the level of influence it has on the public is questionable (McQuail 94).  The public wants to hear opinions and ideas about political topics and networks that obtain official sources.

Portraying the media as simply a site on which various social groups struggle over the definition and construction of social reality is too passive and seems to view the media as a secondary role (Benson 278). When actually, the media plays a huge role in our society and influences the minds of the public.  The primary role of the media provides the foundation of politics.

-Abby Love