The Media as an Institution
'..... it will create forgetfulness in the learners' souls because they will not use their memories; they will trust to the external written words and not remember of themselves. They will appear to be omniscient, and will generally know nothing; they will be tiresome company, having the show of wisdom without the reality.'The media has become the institution that it is today because of the associated commercial concerns. Mass media is financed due to the massive influence both the print and electronic media has on Australia's society. Whilst Socrates quote from Plato's Phaedrus, referred to the invention of writing, many hold the same opinion in relation to the mass media today. Several major changes have occurred in the media industry in the last two decades that have fundamentally altered the way in which the media institution operates. The most major changes of note have been: a. the growth of the media industry, b. the advancement of satellite communications, c. women's increased role as consumers of mass media, and The media has seen spectacular growth since the first daily newspaper for th
Stafford, C, and Furze, B.(eds) 1997, Society and Change, 2nd edn, Macmillion, Melbourne. The most obvious reason for the change of the mass media is the rapid advancement of the technology available to distributors of mass media. The consumers of mass media demand entertaining, up to date information. The arm of the media best able to provide their product in a timely and entertaining fashion will be best able to attract consumers and thus advertising. Handy, C.B. 1976, Understanding Organisations, Pelican Books The social institution that seems to have been most profoundly affected by the mass media and more specifically television is the family. The child who is punished may learn that it should not commit the same act again, or it may learn that he / she will be punished if found to be committing the act. The same may be said of the influence of television and the mass media. There is no evidence to state that a child is more likely to become a criminal because he watches "Australia's Most Wanted' any more than he wants to become a pirate because he read 'Treasure Island'.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1437
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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