Clare Walker from London, 23. Currently living in Radom, Poland
Answers
- I would argue that the media's most important function is to inform people, whether it be about world politics, or something more light hearted such as the latest film releases. In turn, this information educates people and therefore these two functions are not mutually exclusive. Being exposed to new information is a form of education, in much the same way that knowledge is a way of becoming more powerful. As to whether the media fulfils this role, I am not really sure that anyone can honestly answer that question. Yes. Of course. Whenever I read a newspaper, or watch the television, I learn new pieces of information, so in that sense, it is fulfilling my expectation. However, does the media tell me everything there is to know about any ground breaking story? I think not. That is because as a member of the general public, any new material broadcast or printed in the media has been censored and manipulated by a whole host of people before it reaches my eyes and ears.
- I, of course, agree that the highest possible standards should be maintained for all public service broadcasting (although it is debatable whether the services themselves agree with this, as I can see when flicking between channels and seeing the standard of some television shows!). Indeed, I also think that television today is crucial in shaping public opinion. Whether that is a good thing, I am not at all sure. I know that some people rely entirely on the television for the basis of their beliefs and opinions, without taking time to reflect and make a more objective, personal judgement. However, I also know that with so many spin-doctors in existence these days, and with propoganda and manipulation of the truth so rife, it is more and more difficult to make such objective decisions.
- As I explained earlier, no, I think it is impossible for the media to be completely objective and unbiased. Regardless of this fact, it is essential that the media at least strives for this standard, even if, as an institution, it knows it will always be out of reach. Journalists should be able to express their own personal views, but only if they are “upfront” about it, and it is made clear right from the outset that this report, or article, is their own personal opinion. That way, the general public are given the chance to read or listen, but know it is just one person's viewpoint.
- I think that owing to the high standard of broadcasting from the BBC, certain parts of our (UK) media have a very good reputation. This applies also to newspapers like The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Times. More recently, however, there has been widespread outrage at the British tabloids, not just nationally but internationally too. I sense that that British journalists are perceived as having very little morality in their reporting, and they are seen as being one of the worst of their kind worldwide. We are lucky as a nation in that generally speaking we have freedom of speech, so censorship, when compared to other countries, is not really an issue (although censorship takes place everywhere to some extent). I am sure that for the most part, our media is just like many other countries - some parts can be good, some bad, and others downright ugly! Broadsheets everywhere tend to be of a higher standard than tabloids, certain TV channels have better reputations than others and the same applies to magazines and radio stations too. Whatever you are reading/watching/listening to, you can be sure that there will be some kind of bias, be it politically or musically, for example. Once aware of these biases, though, people can make a more informed choice whether or not to read/watch/listen.
- It is difficult to say all I would like to say in a short, concise paragraph. Censorship generally is a bad thing in my opinion, and freedom of speech is a must ... but then I can also see damaging effects of such freedom too. I don't think that it is possible to eradicate censorship 100 per cent from everything, but as I mentioned before, I think it is a concept that must be striven for. I am slightly torn, because if I say all censorship is bad ... then I am open to criticism because I do think that freedom of speech needs limits. Children, for example, need protecting from certain types of language or visual images ... and in that there is a type of censorship.
- I value all these media ... Since coming to Poland I have increased my reliance on the internet for news from back in England, and worldwide, but I must admit, I realise that it could be far more beneficial to me if I knew where to look! Back at home, I like BBC1 and Channel 4 for news programmes, but for entertainment it depends and varies from week to week. Sometimes the BBC channels show excellent dramas, and of course EastEnders! Channel 4 often has really good, more eccentric comedy programmes (but then so does the BBC too!) and also shows American programmes like ER, Friends and Sex in the City. It really depends on my mood, and what type of programme I want to watch - all the channels have pros and cons. I usually listen to my own CDs, but if I listen to the radio it would be Radio 1 which is from the BBC - it has a wide range of music types, reliable news reports, and the presenters are less likely to get on my nerves. Most importantly though - it doesn't have any awful advert breaks.
At the moment, I read The Weekly Telegraph because the school I work at subscribes to it. At home, I read The Telegraph during the week, but then The Guardian on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when it has the Education supplement included. I like the way both papers present their news - it is accessible, intelligent, and usually has bigger articles in the centre pages. At the weekend I buy The Telegraph on Saturdays because it has a good Weekend section which includes fashion, food and education articles which are short enough to keep you engaged, but also interesting to keep you well informed. On Sundays, I always buy The Sunday Times, not really for the news because I get a good review from the Saturday Telegraph, but for the Magazine (culturally interesting interviewees and politically stimulating articles), the Travel and Style sections. I enjoy it, but also I feel it is an educational experience! Then every month, I buy Marie Claire. I enjoy clothes and make-up but think that this magazine discusses it in a less trivial way than other typical women's magazines, and combines it with more heavy weight articles of relevance to women my age.
|
