Media reflections

Inquiry questions for the unit:  - Whose values, attitudes and beliefs are reflected in media texts and why?  - Does the media create or reflect social perceptions?  - How can we detect bias/manipulation in media texts?  - In what ways can we use this knowledge to become more informed media consumers?

In media texts, the values, attitudes and beliefs represent the general opinion of most people of the community however these opinions would largely reflect on popular opinion to better relate to the general population.

Media is largely influence by sensationalism as the only way media is spread is when there are people using it. This however, leads to a reflection of the most popular opinions as the general opinion=general consensus=stable wave of viewers= stable income (?). What we have to see that media is also largely used in the interest of business hence popular opinions are reflected to garner attention and to keep viewers hooked.

Detecting bias and manipulation heavily depend on the media literacy of an individual. If we compare an individual who is only exposed to one type of media, he might be susceptible to bias in other medias or even fail to notice the bias in the only form of media they know as they could not see it from a different point of view. Hence, I believe by being exposed to a variety of media, we could compare and contrast opinions based on what is communicated through it.

Being informed media consumers require us to have a skill for analysis as we any form of media is open to certain levels of subjectivity hence we cannot take the messages communicated through the media at first glance. Being exposed to a spectrum of media resources also allow bigger space for interpretation and perspectives which allows us to analyse a matter inductively.