GLOBDEV Entry # 5

Okay, we talk about the media. We are no stranger to the media. It provides us news and information (especially with regards to current events and issues and happenings here and around the world). In fact, it has become a primary source of information. Yet, it seems that we at times forget that we become so blinded by what the media says wherein we simply believe it as pure fact yet failing to realize if there is something else that is going on as well. For instance, take a look at what you see or hear in the news and you can just imagine the power and influence of mass media. They often showcase things about war, violence and terrorism and while yes these are real threats, it just goes to show how news is being presented and broadcasted. News headlines such as those give you viewership ratings and sales.....and all else don't.

Furthermore, we've seen how news agencies tend to have a biases and hidden agendas at times. CNN tends to be pro-Democrat while FOX News is a bit more conservative and more leaning to Republican. BBC has had controversies in itself such as when Asian religious groups made allegations against BBC that it presented religious-related news that was leaning more to being Pro-Muslim. In short, nothing in media should ever be considered as 100% absolute truth and yet because we become so attached to depending on these forms of media, then we become more reliant on them and there we do not dare to question integrity or credibility anymore.

This case is worse in places where media is in extreme control by government. This is apparently the case in Mainland China. You can bet that state-owned media agencies will never report anything that is negative about Mainland China. In short, if there is news about protests against CCP and Chinese government or what not, then you can bet that it will never appear on television sets over there........because government controls the news.

There is also indirect control and influence as well. This is a case in point for two of the leading TV media and news outlets in Hong Kong (namely TVB and ATV). In 2008 during the 20th anniversary of the Tiannanmen Square massacre, the televised coverage was limited and many people were outraged by this. The reason lies in that media in Hong Kong operates within the territory and is not under the jurisdiction or control of Mainland China. However, it appears that the media companies wanted to gain more foothold in Mainland China and as such wanted to appease Mainland Chinese censors......so the news coverage was limited.

This sent thousands of protesters to the streets to protest against this. Eventually, this behavior has ceased nowadays (most especially when HK news agencies televised coverage of the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo who is an activist for democracy and China (and CCP does not like that).

Well, the point here is that media is controlled and has the power to control and likewise, media is influenced and that's why it is capable of influencing people. We as people and recipients of information from media need to be aware of the true nature of the news and information that we see and hear and does exercise our agency to act and to be responsible for what we see and perceive as 'truth'