Red, White and Brainwashed - The Influence of Modern Media (Argue/Persuade) - page 1
Keywords: argue persuade influence media manipulation control
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
George Orwell once wrote that “who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past”. Who controls all three? Your much trusted mass media reports what is, what has been and what will come to be in every possible way. Radio transmissions, television broadcasts, print publications… these are all key tools in delivering to you the latest and greatest in world news. But to what extent can you actually trust these sources? Are your everyday outlets distributing the truth, or their own hazy adaptations?
To truly understand the actions of major media outlets, we must look first at their goals. Contrary to ignorant belief, outlets like the BBC and the Wall Street Journal do not consider you, their audience, to be their first priority. You may be their source of income, but how or why that income is received really doesn’t matter to them. You see, each of these outlets is legally responsible to their fat cat shareholders – this is why their main aim is to maximise all profit; and for this reason, they will report to you anything to keep you interested, excited and yearning for their next instalment. They don’t need to dig deep for stories that do this. They merely need to fabricate them.
The significant influence that media holds on its unsuspecting audience is often disregarded. The public fail to recognise its firm grip on their opinions, thoughts and desires, and instead idolise it as some kind of elite deity. Take Orson Welles’ 1968 radio broadcast, for example. A perfect illustration of how easily manipulated the mainstream can be. In an on-air revision of H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds”, Orson decided to present his listeners with some breaking news. A very threatening occupation was in the makings – a Martian invasion of the earth. Seemingly, his audience decided to ignore their own brainpower. In a frenzy of fear, citizens all across the nation began to panic. Terror filled thousands. Many people even fled their own homes; and why wouldn’t they? It had been announced on the radio. Surely it must be true? Not quite. This broadcast was quickly deemed an act of ‘cruel deception’. I disagree. I’d have to argue that it was an act of manipulative genius, and great proof that people prefer not to think for themselves but to instead let others do it for them. This technique is very popular
Last 5 comments…
There have been no comments posted for this article, but you need to register if you want to be the first!