Well, hey there!
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Apparently, almost a full year.
My last newsletter was sent out in July 2022. I then put “The Media & Us” on an extended hiatus, much longer than I intended to. I did this for a much-needed break and also because I wasn’t sure what to do next with this newsletter. At times, I felt like I was repeating myself when it came to bias, how to decipher which news outlet is reliable or not, and how we must all take responsibility for our news consumption rather than blame the problems we are seeing in the news industry itself.
But as it turns out, perhaps repeating myself is necessary as the problems with how Americans relate to and understand the news media continues.
And just like the reasons why I started this newsletter, it all goes back to my experiences teaching college freshmen, on top of being a journalist myself.
During the past Fall and Spring semesters, I was once again exposed to how little college students - of all ages, even adult students - understood the phrases and criticisms being thrown around towards news so casually. These include what bias really means (you’d be surprised), the numerous news outlets available online, how emotions can impact how we interpret the media, and carefully processing conspiracy theories before jumping on the bandwagon.
There is still a need for media literacy and no matter how often the same thing is said, it likely still needs to be repeated several times until someone may finally get the message.
Media is everywhere. Be it news, social media, ads, books, magazines, etc., we are surrounded by it. And all these media are designed and carefully worded to grab your attention and turn you into a rating, a consumer, a sale, a like, a follower, the list goes on. If the people behind the media in all its forms understand their audience and how to turn into one of the above, then why not the audience be aware of what’s looming all around it and how to empower themselves against it?
Some people may roll their eyes and grumble about how ads make no sense or are too controversial, how some TV shows and news programs just want those ratings, and how social media influencers post bizarre content just to gain more followers. But have they really seen the wider picture? Or have they just scratched the surface?
Knowledge is power, as the saying goes. And if everyone had a better idea of how the media works, perhaps we Americans would not be at each other’s throats as we have been more than ever it seems. This Memorial Day Weekend was when many of us reflected on our nation and the countless soldiers who died for our country in the last century. Many of us are thanking those who died for maintaining our freedom. Sadly, the definition of freedom means more than one thing these days, and it is tearing us apart.
Perhaps if we take responsibility for how we react to the media and see it more carefully rather than nonchalantly, the tension will lessen?
I could be wrong. I may be dead wrong. I may be missing the whole point.
But I still think writing about media literacy and our relationship with the media is very important and necessary in our world today.
That is why I will start writing again once a week, every Monday.
I look forward to seeing you all again!