Blog#9 Media influence

 Media influence

Media is everywhere... literally, it’s on our phones, in our conversations, and even in how we see ourselves. Since we started discussing the power of media in class, I’ve begun noticing just how much influence it holds over daily life, including my own. I’ve always known media is persuasive, but now I find myself analyzing it in ways I hadn’t before. For example, when I watch a YouTube ad or scroll through Instagram, I catch myself asking: What’s the message here? Did they say that on purpose? These moments of reflection have made me far more critical of what I consume, and it’s opened my eyes to the subtle ways media shapes my thoughts and behaviors.

One area where I’ve noticed this influence is in how news outlets frame their stories. A single event can be spun in completely different ways depending on the network or publication. For instance, I’ve started comparing headlines from multiple news sources to see how their language either emphasizes or downplays certain aspects of a story. It’s fascinating, and a little unsettling, to see how assumptions can shift public opinion. This has also made me more aware of how easy it is to spread misinformation. When my friends or family share news articles or information they've seen from a TikTok video, I often find myself checking the source or looking up additional facts before forming an opinion. It’s a habit I wouldn’t have picked up without taking the time to understand how media can manipulate our perception.

The effects of misinformation are far reaching, and the more I think about it, the more I realize just how much it impacts us. Misinformation isn’t just about getting a fact wrong, it’s about creating narratives that can lead to misunderstanding, mistrust, and even harm. For example, during the pandemic, false claims about treatments and vaccines spread like wildfire on social media. These claims didn’t just confuse people; they had real-world consequences, leading some to make dangerous decisions altogether. It’s crazy to think how a single viral post can have that much influence.

Platforms like TikTok and Twitter make it easier than ever for misinformation to spread. A well-crafted video with thousands of likes can seem credible, even if it’s far from the truth. I’ve noticed how quickly my friends or family will repost a post without stopping to question its accuracy. The thing is, we often believe things that align with our emotions or prexisting beliefs, which makes going against misinformation even more challenging. This is why critical thinking and fact-checking are so important in our age of information.

Additionally, one tool I’ve found useful in combating misinformation is Snopes, a website dedicated to fact-checking rumors, viral posts, and news claims. It’s honestly kinda fun to scroll through their trending page and see the kinds of stories that people are questioning or falling for. For instance, recent rumors include everything from Elon Musk allegedly buying McDonald’s to claims about compromised elections. These are the kinds of headlines that grab attention but often lack evidence.

What I like about Snopes is how thorough their investigations are. They break down the origins of a rumor, trace its spread, and provide evidence to confirm or debunk it, here you can find Snopes front page for more. Snopes.com

in conclusion, media shapes our perceptions in ways we often overlook, but by staying curious and questioning what we consume, we can claim control over its influence. With tools like Snopes and a critical mindset, we can navigate the flood of information more thoughtfully.

Citations

Nisa, Shams un. "The Media's Mighty Influence: Shaping Our Ever-Changing World." LinkedIn, 18 July 2023, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/medias-mighty-influence-shaping-our-ever-changing-world-shams-un-nisa. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Snopes. Trending. Snopes Media Group, https://www.snopes.com/top/. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.