Dear Media, Please Step Up to the Plate. Thanks.

How much influence does the media hold over the general population’s opinion?
Should we allow the media to dictate our lives? Uh, no.

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I think it is an interesting idea that the media dictate the publics’ life. Sadly, I believe it is true. A few people, neither elected nor necessarily liked, tell us what to wear, how to look and how to act. Most importantly, they tell us how to think. These people judge others on high standards that they are not forced to live up to. They tell only half truths as it suits them. They dictate what we do in everyday life. They turn pop stars into brands. They take religious actions and make them out to be overbearing and uncalled for. They make jokes out people’s loses. They degrade the death of a living being. How can the public allow this to go on?

I look at the media as a powerful unstoppable force. And, although unstoppable, I believe the media can change. I desperately wish that the media’s standards were raised. I wish the reported facts! News! Journalism! Why does everything always come across biased? Why are we being told what to think?

I have never taken a journalism class. I don’t know if there is a right or wrong answer to this. I would just like to see change. I would like to see new reported as news. I would like to see entertainment represented as entertainment. I would not like the two to be tangled together.

Folly Lethal Injection? For All?

How much influence does the media hold over the general population’s opinion? In this case, should the media be airing the collapsing and ultimate death of a folly?

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After tragic accident on Saturday at the Kentucky Derby, people are questioning whether or not filly owner Rick Porter should have entered his horse in the race. Eight Belles, the horse, raced a hard day and came in second. Only a quarter of a mile after passing the finish line, however, the filly collapsed with two broken ankles. She was immediately put to sleep by lethal injection.

Since the story broke, clips of the poor horse collapsing have been airing all over ESPN and major news networks. Is this fair to the horse, although dead, and its owner? Should the owner be held responsible?

NY Times

Stepping out of the Office

How much influence does the media hold over the general population’s opinion? In this case, how televisions appearances affect the public’s view of political candidates?

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This week, the leader of the largest free country in the world will be appearing on the game show Deal or No Deal. Seriously. President George W. Bush will be appearing on Monday’s episode of the show. In a similar fashion, many of the current candidates and their family members will be appearing on popular shows.

All three candidates for the presidential election are currently slated to appear on American Idol – one of the most watched shows in the nation. Equally as embarrassing, the three politicians have been pushed back for what are considered to be larger stars. Both Miley Cyrus and Reese Witherspoon have been a part of the pushing back of the candidates

Barbara Bush is currently booked to be the co-host of the Today show on Monday, while John McCain’s wife will step into The View on Monday. These moves are clearly moves to create buzz around the candidates. Hopefully the issues will be forefront in these headlining examples.

Photo Credit:

New York Times

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

How much influence does the media hold over the general population’s opinion? In this case, how does the public view a documentary maker find a way to find Bin Laden?

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From the man who brought you Super Size Me, the new movie Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? is sure to cause stir among audiences. Claiming to make this movie in order to rid the world of bad guys for his unborn child, Morgan Spurlock made the journey across the world in order to find the secret to where one of the most hated men in the world lives.

Can a single man actually find Osama Bid Laden? It is an interesting story that many people will most likely witness. Super Size Me is one of the most well known documentaries of the time, and this one is most likely to follow in its footsteps. Although the two movies are the the only two written and directed by Spurlock, he is a very popular documentary producing with films including What Would Jesus Buy, Class Act, and Know Your Enemy: Al Qaeda’s Third Wave.

IMDB

Fandango

Apple
/Film

Dancing Into Hearts (Without Sound)

How much influence does the media hold over the general population’s opinion? In this case, how does the public feel about a deaf woman dancing her way into their hearts?

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At age 21, Marlee Matlin was the youngest female ever to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1986. She won the award for Children of a Lesser God. Marlee became deaf as an infant – but she has never allowed that to hold her back. She is active actress today with a role on The L Word.

During the next few months she will be appearing on the hit TV show Dancing With The Stars. Marlee will be dancing, even though she is unable to hear the music. Her partner is Fabian Sanchez – a newcomer to the show. Fabian is the only newcomer, so one can imagine that the task of joining ws daunting; however, having a deaf partner must be extremely challenging. This is a groundbreaking story because a woman who can not hear music is now about to learn and express herself in difficult ball room dance.

Additional ARTicles:
Marlee's IMDB Page