The Role of The Media

2. The role of mass media in our democracy as of today consists of a wide of variety of "low culture entertainment," combined with what I would call a halfway decent analysis of local and international events. I would like to see more in-depth analysis and more questions being asked about our foreign policy and why we have chosen the actions that we have over seas, especially in a post September 11th world. In a time of war, the press holds even more responsibility than it otherwise would. What has happened in a time of war, is that the press will conceal certain information that is not in the interest of protecting our "national security," and all of the baggage that comes with that. But now, as we live in a time of constant global war, I am not sure how the media is responding. They must be responding someway. Is it the media's job to support an administration in a time of war? Can our nations foes discover through our media, information pertaining to our national security they would otherwise have to use spies and agents to steal? The landscape on which we lives seems so much bigger to me these days. Foreign events don't seem far away anymore, as we are now fully engaged in operations overseas, with public awareness of this. I would argue that the public needs the fullest picture possible of events, within the narrowest limits of national security.
In thinking about corporate influence in the media, one need look no farther than to the few giants who control practically everything that you watch. Most people that regularly watch TV, like watching TV. These giants are obviously doing something right. However we have to think critically about the motives and agendas that Viacom, GE, etc, just might have. Companies with massive amounts of influence and money, who are welcomed home into people's living rooms everyday are companies operating under the same business principles as any other business. They would like to see a kind of infinite growth and sustainability, taking the necessary measures to ensure that. Does this mean, just giving the public what it wants? I am not sure about that. I would hope that as it relates to news, we are being painted the fullest possible picture that can be allowed. "Without debate, without criticism, no Administration and no country can succeed--and no republic can survive. That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy. And that is why our press was protected by the First Amendment-- the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution- -not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and the sentimental, not to simply "give the public what it wants"--but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold, educate and sometimes even anger public opinion." This JFK quote makes a great point that I wanted to finish with, that our press/mass media, is the only business protected under the Constitution. We as a people should always remember that, and be the change that we wish to see in the world.