12 0074 / Jessica Louise T.

Chiuco [SEL]
UNMEDIATED
Media is a power that can either inspire beauty and truth or trigger outrage and chaos. With
advanced technology, television, film, music, and the internet, are readily available for anyone anywhere
to take advantage of. Well within its capacity and scope, media can be productive or destructive. What
lies in its power is the ability to control the representation of different people, ideas, standards, principles,
and values. As much as information is given at the disposal of the people, just as much information can be
withheld according to the interests of those involved. Majority of the people will also be susceptible to
adapting and adjusting to whatever media presents to them. This control allows media to construct and
form its own culture. With great power, media has an equal, if not greater, responsibility in influencing
changes in a culture of a society.
Undoubtedly, forms of media do depict positive themes and values encourage audiences how to
live properly. It inspires what is good and true. This is the best way in which to utilize media. Being the
dominant and potent channel of information, expression, and thought, media has the privilege of instilling
values and virtues in people. As often as it shows what is virtuous and positive, people can surely
manifest it in their lifestyles. Also, with the influx of information and news from the media, people
become aware of social and political issues. Additional knowledge and discoveries are disseminated
through journal articles, documentaries, and many more for the benefit of the people.
On the other side of the spectrum, however, lie the negative impacts of media. Constant
materialization of drugs and alcohol and showcases of sexual and violent behavior in film,
advertisements, and television are detrimental to the moral growth of younger audiences. In other words,
the reckless lifestyle is freely advertised and even glorified. The line between acceptable and
unacceptable is getting thinner as the rules and standards of media become looser with time. This is where
danger comes in since with the continuing advancement of technology, anything can become accessible to
anyone at any age. Boundaries are slowly becoming non-existent. Instead, it promotes an unhealthy
lifestyle which could be adopted by anyone who sees it.
Today, the negative impacts of media are overwhelming the positive. People are now more
tolerant of issues such as homosexuality and violence. In fact, they have become immune to the
implications of these issues. These topics are handled loosely, without responsibility. The power to
influence the society for the better is overridden by the glamorization of nasty vices such as drugs and
alcohol. And it shows in a given society, how media influences. Crimes are more heinous; deaths caused
by drug overdose escalate. The influence of media in these cases cannot be neglected.