- ‘The Effects For Good Theory’
The BBC believes that the media can affect people for the better. For example the relationship between Mo and Trevor on East Enders, uncovered what many people found to be distressing scenes of Domestic Violence. The BBC says that people involved in Domestic Violence may have benefited from viewing this. The victim may have obtained strength and the abuser may have seen how he/she behaved and changed for the better. It also uncovered the eyes of many people who live perfect lives to the world around them.
Moral Panics Essay
The Media Effects Us in Different Ways…
The Gratification’s theory
The Gratification’s theory, is different to the other theories because all of the other theories say that the Media effects us for definite. Whereas the Gratification’s theory questions whether the media does actually have an effect on us at all and if so, how it affects us.
It expresses that every person is different. The Media affects not everyone, because not everyone takes notice by reading tabloids or they do not watch certain programmes.
It also says that not everyone views the Media in the same ways. Gender, Race and Religion are just a few qualities, which can alter the effects of the media on a person. If a programme was shown on TV about Black Slavery, a black person watching the programme might be offended or upset to think that their brother’s and sister’s lived their lives as innocent slaves. Whereas a non-black person watching the programme would not feel so bad and may not care to even watch it.
Another factor which can alter the effect of the Media on individuals is the sort of lives they have; they’re in a gang- or the issues they have; their parents have just divorced.
A person in a gang would watch a violent death on TV and think nothing of it because they wouldn’t know any different/better. Whereas someone who does not live a violent life, would find this programme disturbing and if they had children, would not want their children to watch it.
If a soap opera came on TV and two of the characters were getting divorced, a child or teenager, whose parents had just gotten divorced would be extremely upset if they watched this programme. This is because it may bring back painful memories of the fights and arguments they had to watch each day or they might have recovered from their parent’s divorce, and wouldn’t be affected by it. Whereas a child or teenager whose parents had not divorced would simply view it as a soap opera and then walk away not affected in the slightest.
Moral Panics Essay
My View Of East Enders…
When I watched the East Enders Episode, I was not disturbed, upset or inspired to do something bad. In fact, I thought it was quite good.
The only part which made my stomach churn was the part where Mo was lying on the floor after she had been raped by her own husband, Trevor. However, it made me think about how horrible it must be for people who do actually live in these sorts of situations. In addition to this, she eventually fought back with tremendous strength, which was brilliant to see her do. I think it may have inspired other people who are in these situations.
Even morally, the episode was great because Mo, the good person won over Trevor, the bad person. Therefore, it showed that you always get what you deserve. Mo got her life back, she was free from Trevor and she found a new partner who treated her in the way she deserved. Whereas Trevor ended up dead!
Therefore, I thought that the episode was brilliant, inspiring and showed great acting skills too!
Moral Panics Essay
My View of the Debate…
As far as I’m concerned, the media and violence on Television having an extensive negative effect on every single person is a load of rubbish. In my opinion, the Media never has affected people in the serious way it has made out to have done, and never will.
I can understand why parents might be so concerned about how much sex, inappropriate language and violence, their young children are exposed to on Television. Because they can’t always sit next to their child and check on what programmes they are viewing. As a result of their concerns and complaints, there is a watershed time of 9:30 p.m. and pre-programme warnings, which explain what the programme involves in terms of violence etc. There are also film age ratings.
Therefore, I think that all the people, who continuously complain about the media and violence on Television etc, are complaining for absolutely no reason! I think it shows that they have nothing better to do with their time.
They need to understand that times have changed, and children these days do not play with dolls and obey their parents’ every command. Children today know what violence is, and they know what sex is and I’m sure that if you asked your children, they could list you at least five unacceptable words!
You might say that they know this because they watched television, and you’re probably right! However, it is not that big a deal. Violence has always existed, inappropriate language has always existed.
The only other explanation is that parents’ views on subjects such as sex have changed. For example twenty years ago, if you had have asked your parents what sex was, they would have tried to avoid answering you or said they would tell you when you were older. That does not mean to say that it doesn’t happen today. Nevertheless, if a child were to ask their parents what sex was, I think at least 50% of parents would explain it to them, because it’s natural thing. In addition, they learn it at school. Why should it be such a taboo?
Moreover, as for the Morals of today’s society having changed because of Television and the media is incorrect. The people have to change their morals first before the media can exploit them!