Media and Social Bias

Media and social bias surrounds us on a daily bases, so much so that fact is covered in a black gray vale. Strong handed opinions and views have now replaced much of the news and media in order to gain clicks. The Western world, partially America would and sometimes still does pride itself in clear accurate news that was free from outside influence, but now that is simply not the case as clearly shown in today’s news outlets. Media is now revenue motivated to get your attention, while this is not an immoral to do, it does lead to inaccuracies and the stretched truth. I will go over here my main talking and discussion points and share my opinion. I also ask you to respect my opinion and I’ll respect yours, I try to convey my ideas/opinions realistically, but it doesn’t mean emotion clouds thought. Only thing I can ask of you is to keep an open mind.

Ferguson, a town made famous by the media not by the cop brutality that happen there. The world now cries “hands up don’t shoot”, not due to Michael Brown or the cop that shot him, but because of the media. These are my opinions but I can say very comfortably that they are based heavily in fact, so therefore I must derive to my own conclusion that there would be no Ferguson as it is today if it was for the media. Now wait and think, is this a good thing; the media showing corruption and reviewing it, or was it taken too far? My answer to this is it was taken too far and in the wrong direction. While Ferguson was a tragedy and no one is denying that fact it is become clear that the world now looks to others to how to talk, wear, and act. Ferguson was not the first by a long shot and will not be the last, but what the media chooses to cover and forces to become a National issue is their business not mine. Now this is fact, you can’t believe what I just said. The news outlets choose what becomes a National issue and not, just think about that, and if you are like me you will start to wonder, “So Ferguson really isn't a big deal in the larger picture?” while this is where I start to wonder back to opinion I still believe my opinion and have my right to. Sometimes priorities get mixed up, I’d rather the media focus on giving clean water to people free of harmful bacteria and save millions of lives but rather they choose to focus on Ferguson to help them generate add revenue. They get paid to sell you news, the more they get you emotionally upset about it the more you will read and generate add revenue. At this point you are literally being used, if the news is deceiving and misleading. It’s fair game to tell news while generating a profit but to usurp people’s emotions and to replace them with often fake fractions of emotions made up to get you to click the article is taking it too far. There will eventual come a time where people will realize life is based off of percentages (I go over this more in depth in my other writing Randomness and Order). If this time comes people will collectively start to realize, that yes Ferguson is a tragedy but what is more important right now, one person or a million plus starting and thirsty in all parts of the world. This is cold and rightfully so, the world cannot get their emotions caught up and entangled in one tragedy. If it was truly a tragedy it will be dealt through in the courts and through our criminal justice system. If our criminal justice system is corrupt I’d much rather see the news cover this instead of often short lived but emotional topics such as Ferguson, as it effects the larger picture.

In my mind what stems this bias in the media, other then monetary gain, is the fact that we (United States) are primary a two party system. With two parties the attacks and the struggle to topple the other is a lot more intense and directed. So therefore it could be said that having stronger parties with different mixed ideologies could cool down the bias in the news. 

Discussion Point- Did the Media cause Ferguson (fueling riots), and if so what could be the implications of this.

Discussion Point- Why do you think the Media picked Ferguson when this happens sadly regularly. Was it based off good intentions or just to generate ad revenue and a larger base of viewers?


Don’t like my opinion, or agree with it, or anything in-between or want me to share an opinion on another topic? Leave a comment below. Will be adding more discussion points and such when I have time.