The Media
Reporting the truth is a major role of the media in
accordance to Journalism ethics. When the media distorts the truth to raise
ratings, what are the consequences? What about when the media clearly displays
a form of bias or form an opinion for the public because of what is being
reported. The media at times places unnecessary fear and panic when reporting
on crimes and at other times fail to mention what some people would think was
important to mention.
My thoughts about the media concerning what the
media reports was yet again heighten while blogging last week. My blog last week talked about Susan Smith,
the young mother who drowned her two children. While watching a brief video on
HLN about women who kill, Nancy Grace never mentioned Susan Smith first blamed
an African American man carjacked them. Maybe the network or Nancy Grace felt
that information wasn’t important.
Recently in Hampton Roads, a former TV news anchor
of WTKR was accused of filing false tax returns. I read the article in the
Virginia Pilot but couldn’t find nor did I see it reported on WTKR.
I just think media as a whole reports what it wants
too. At times I find the reports can be bias and not fully truthful. Some reports at times have little regards to
the people affected. I also think the media reports way too much concerning the
military. I can remember being on deployment and my family would know more
about my date and time of return before I did.
References
Banks, C. Criminal
Justice Ethics. 2013. 3rd edition. SAGE. Thousand Oaks, CA.
Keisha, I think there are some journalist who distort the truth somewhat. However most of them tell the truth as they know it. They must tell the truth because their livelihoods depends on their credibility. There is two sides to every story. I think what the media does most of the time is figure out which side of the story is more captivating to the public and focus 95% of their reporting on that side. I do agree with you that they can be very bias in their reporting but in my opinion they are compelled to tell the truth. According to “Society of Professional Journalists” Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think the media, reveals some information that should be hidden in concern of the public's personal opinion or it could be the lack of knowledge the reporter has at the time . I also agree, that the media reports too much of the military information. Personally during the coverage of the war overseas after the attack on the World Trade Centers, I stopped watching because it was heartbreaking. It is important to watch the news and keep up with global events but I feel as if some reports instill fear in some of its' viewers. The media only reports what they want and feels the public should know.
ReplyDeleteKeisha: You have written a very good blog about media bias. I share your concerns. Professor Taylor
ReplyDelete