Pros and Cons of Mass Media

Monday Room 228

"You can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements."

Think about your favourite ads - what do they tell us about our ideals?

New Guinness Commercial

The Sapeurs live by a moral code, where style and attitude counts over occupation or wealth. The name is derived from the French slang for "dressing with class".

"We are proud to celebrate the Sapeurs in our new ad," said O'Kelly. "They are a truly inspiring and unique group of men."

The TV campaign was created by London-based ad agency AMV BBDO

"On any given day, at least 300 and as many as 6,000, marketing messages are lobbed your way. Statistics suggest that people spend more time exposed to advertising then they spend eating, reading, cooking, praying, cleaning and making love combined."

- The Age of Persuasion, How Marketing Ate Our Culture

What are some examples?

• Refers collectively to all media technologies, including the Internet, television, newspapers, film and radio, which are used for mass communications, AND to the organizations which control these technologies

• In your groups, based on the definition provided to you, generate a list of pros vs. cons of mass media.

Write a list of pros and cons with a partner (or group of three) and present to the class.

• The wide reach is phenomenal – it can target a global audience For example, a TV commercial during figure skating competition during olympic can reach billions of people on earth.

• Newspapers and magazines can target a specific group. For example, “Globe and Mail” is read by business professionals such as lawyers, accountants and marketing managers etc…

• Easily accessible

• Huge amount of information on the internet

• Television, movies, Internet and the radio are amazing forms of entertainment

• Can be used for educational/inspirational purposes

• The information may not be authentic – misinterpretation can occur.

• News can and is manipulated to influence the minds of the audiences (ie: political control)

• Media bias (ie: Journalist provides personal preference) “CIA Admits Using News To Manipulate the USA” (Youtube clip)

• A particular event or celebrity may have undue importance and set wrong ideals before youth ahem, Miley Cyrus anyone?

• Unnecessary sensationalism of an issue leads to wrong information