MODERN MEDIA

“Powers of the modern media”



“Powers of the modern media”

The extent to which media shapes society and society shape the media

How we shape our society through our powerfully persuasive media, is an area that deserves great attention and respect for a very delicate balance. To understand the length at which the society is shaped by the media, it is essential to evaluate and understand some example, like Vietnam. Though easily dismissed by outsiders, as 'government-controlled,' Vietnam's dozens of vernacular newspapers do a remarkable job of mirroring the complexities and contradictions of a rapidly modernizing society. Editors have learned just how far they can push the envelope on sensitive issues before the censors react.

The Paris-based organisation Reporters without Borders (RWB) describes Vietnam as one of the countries where an independent media either does not exist or where journalists are persecuted and censored on a daily basis. Its latest Index of Press Freedom ranks Vietnam in 166th place out of 175. There is much to criticise by RWB's standards: Vietnam regards the media as a 'national security sector' and journalists as servants of the state. The press is closely monitored by the Ministry of Information, which provides regular guidance on what may or may not be published. By RWB's count, at least 20 people who can be termed journalists are currently in prison. The authorities have recently stepped up pressure on dissident bloggers and begun to interfere with websites such as Facebook.

However, this does not do justice to the nation's lively, inquisitive and widely read news media. It also overlooks the fact that officials have so far failed to control the nation's bloggers. Growing sector: Total average newspaper circulation is over 3 million copies daily, led by about a dozen highly competitive mainstream newspapers with a national reach. More than a quarter of Vietnam's 87 million people now have regular access to broadband internet, up from zero in 1997, and a handful of online newspapers are thriving. All these papers show growing sophistication about how they serve their target audiences.

We get the media we deserve

Considering America, there are the masses who want freedom and the right to express their concerns. This is exactly what is expressed by the media which expresses everything which may have a negative impact on the image and popularity of the society. Somebody once said that people have no right to complain because they always get what they deserve. When people are bad and corrupt, it is exactly what is projected by the media. We will find out soon if we have gotten what we deserve.

The big polls by the media had said that the NDP and the Saskatchewan Party were head to head going around the final turn and into the gallop for home. They were. Somebody once said voters have no right to complain because they always get what they deserve. Saskatchewan deserves to grow; it deserves to be more than it is. We will find out soon if we have gotten what ...