Take Responsibility … Get Informed!
Filed Under Environmental Issues |
Getting the news isn’t as easy as it used to be. You might think that is absurd, considering all of the venues, including the good old newspaper, radio, television, and more recently, the internet and cell phones. The sheer number of media venues create a false impression that we are well informed. The reality, in our opinion, is that the media is not as independent as we think, and there are more factors influencing their message than we know.
Take politics for example. The next time you see an “exclusive” on something concerning politics, we encourage you to take a closer look. In the media industry this “exclusive” is called a “drop”. A drop shows only one side of the issue and, believe it or not, there is usually a condition attached to this drop. The drop is two-fold: a mutually beneficial deal between politicians and the media. For the politician, the drop, statically placed in a Saturday or Sunday paper, is a vehicle to influence the public. For the media, they benefit by securing the media agenda for the following week and gaining a marketing edge over their competitors.
Truly, politicians and the media are the only beneficiaries of the “drop”. The public ends up being the “big loser” because (let’s face it) many of us still perceive most of the news to be just that—news. Granted, news it is, but the perspective is most often lacking the full story and the impartial integrity. And come on, surely we already know this with the controversy we have been fed over the years from war to beef. We need to take more responsibility for the formation of our opinions. And there really is no excuse with the vast scope of “information” that is available to us.
Take the internet for example. This “information highway” has opened up an unlimited abundance of knowledge shared by others who have basically taken the responsibility for the formation of our opinions for us. We encourage you to take advantage of this outlet. You will be amazed at the varying opinions and views, shared from both those qualified to back their thoughts and those speaking from passion. This insight will empower you to think outside the box. Take the initiative and utilize the power you wield by becoming an informed citizen.
Martine
