Can the Media Ever Be Relied Upon to Convey the Truth?
Yes but not all the time
- Provision of hard news (facts and figures) event which have definitely occurred eg Vietnam War, Gulf War etc.
- Cross-referencing on the part of consumers will portray a picture that we can rely on (to verify and corroborate sources)
- It is the prerogative of the reader to realize that the information portrayed is true (to a particular extent), from the perspective of the journalist/corporation/any agent which was involved in the production of the message.
Counter:
Various agents involved in the production of media messages means that any particular message has to be biased in some way. Therefore some may argue that the media cannot be trusted at all.
Defense:
However, the various perspectives different media provides allows us the opportunity to corroborate and verify accounts, so some semblance of truth may be arrived at.
NO!!! It can’t be trusted at all!
- Commercial or political agendas behind media messages. Eg how media companies tend to be owned by conglomerates with particular interests or political biases.
- Media is flooded by trivial news aimed at distracting us from more pressing issues which can be considerd true news. Eg entertainment and sports news.
- Because of the various agents involved in the production and consumption of media, interpretation as an act becomes a major factor in determining truth. Even if media messages do at times convey truthful information, the reception of such messages by consumers is still dependant upon personal interpretation. Ie you may not think its true even when it is!
Counter:
Cross-referencing on the part of consumers will portray a picture that we can rely on (to verify and corroborate sources)
Defense:
Corroboration of various perspectives does not guarantee a picture of absolute truth, especially when these various views are themselves limited and bounded within social
- Provision of hard news (facts and figures) event which have definitely occurred eg Vietnam War, Gulf War etc.
- Cross-referencing on the part of consumers will portray a picture that we can rely on (to verify and corroborate sources)
- It is the prerogative of the reader to realize that the information portrayed is true (to a particular extent), from the perspective of the journalist/corporation/any agent which was involved in the production of the message.
Counter:
Various agents involved in the production of media messages means that any particular message has to be biased in some way. Therefore some may argue that the media cannot be trusted at all.
Defense:
However, the various perspectives different media provides allows us the opportunity to corroborate and verify accounts, so some semblance of truth may be arrived at.
NO!!! It can’t be trusted at all!
- Commercial or political agendas behind media messages. Eg how media companies tend to be owned by conglomerates with particular interests or political biases.
- Media is flooded by trivial news aimed at distracting us from more pressing issues which can be considerd true news. Eg entertainment and sports news.
- Because of the various agents involved in the production and consumption of media, interpretation as an act becomes a major factor in determining truth. Even if media messages do at times convey truthful information, the reception of such messages by consumers is still dependant upon personal interpretation. Ie you may not think its true even when it is!
Counter:
Cross-referencing on the part of consumers will portray a picture that we can rely on (to verify and corroborate sources)
Defense:
Corroboration of various perspectives does not guarantee a picture of absolute truth, especially when these various views are themselves limited and bounded within social