Assignment 3
Course Project Stage 4: Media System Dependency Theory
According to Jung (2017), the media dependency theory views the media as an information system and explains the multi-dependence between individuals, the media, and society. Dependency, in this case, has been used to mean a situation in which one party relies on another party to fulfill his/her goals. As reiterated by the author, the theory highlights the relationship between media and audiences, showing that individuals tend to rely on media sources to satisfy a variety of their needs, which can often range from information needs to advise on policy decisions such as candidacy of individuals.
From this theory, I have become more aware of the extent of media influence in our personal lives. I have always known that the media plays a significant role in our lives as individuals, but I have always been oblivious to the extent to which this has taken place. For instance, I have now learned that media influence can shape voter’s perceptions regarding a particular candidate for elections. Learning about the media dependency theory has also affected my relationship with others, as I am now aware of the biases, and influences due to media. Now my interactions with people, especially when it pertains to policy discussions as perpetuated by the media, are more informed or thorough. I do not go by the wave of mass media as others may do, but I am, in fact, more stubborn and rigorous in my work.
Since my knowledge and understanding of the media dependence theory, my use and co assumption of mass media has dropped significantly. Firstly, I no longer listen to news or commentary regarding ‘ body standards.’ This is because I have come to understand that people are different and diverse, and therefore the concept of a particular desirable body type cannot apply to all.
Yes, if I am to experience an event covered by the mass media personally, my perception of mass media would change. Mass media is known to exaggerate, or undercover news. Therefore, having a first-hand experience of an event would allow me to witness and compare accounts, as experienced first-hand, and as reported by social media. That would also change how I reference others on social media, as I would have an accurate depiction of events as they occur first-hand.
Part 1
Terrorist attack. Sometime back, there was a terrorist attack covered by social media. The news, as reported by the press, through live coverage news, was very gory, and very scary. Moreover, the depiction of the terrorist attacker was portrayed as the stereotypical ‘Arab Muslim Male’s, and this news caused a lot of panic in our small town. The media reported it as a bomb attack. Being a resident of the city, I was personally very exasperated and scared.
However, I still felt the need to find out more about the terrorist attack, mainly because accounts from different media stations did not match. Others reported it as a bomb attack, others as a suspicious grenade scare. This prompted in-depth research, as I sought to evaluate and find out the right information. I did some desktop research and evaluation of different accounts of the event, “ResearchGate – Media Bias/Fact Check” (2020). With a lot of effort, I was also able to speak to some of the witnesses, who also narrated accounts of their experiences. I deduced that media accounts were exaggerated and misleading. The scare was carried out by a local who was suffering from some mental health issues. I was shocked at the extent to which media could exaggerate or give false and misleading information.
My perception of mass media changed since then, and I don’t always believe news from the media blindly, Loveless (2008). Nowadays, I take time to review and research information before accepting it as truth. Otherwise, I avoid accounts from social media as much as possible.
Part 2
I experienced a news coverage of a terrorist scare attack as reported in mass media. The media portrayed the attack as being orchestrated by the stereotypical ‘Arab Muslim male,’ and the press seemed to propagate the idea that the terrorist scare attack was fueled for religious reasons.
Basing on my research of the event, my account of the event and media portrayal of the incident differed. The media account was exaggerated and misleading. A deep introspection as to why media would offer a false narrative reveals a need for publicity. By offering misleading descriptions, the press would aim to get increased advertising, thereby more sales, and increased profit.
The media dependence theory applies in this instance. Firstly, as a large number of people depend on news and information from the media, the media portrayal of the terrorist attack would offer a misleading narrative of the account for many people. Probably, if not so many people relied on mass media for information, the media wouldn’t have had to create a false narrative of news information.
References
Jung, Joo‐Young. (2017). Media Dependency Theory. 10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0063.
Loveless, Matthew. (2008). Media Dependency: Mass Media as Sources of Information in the Democratizing Countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Democratization. 15. 162-183. 10.1080/13510340701770030.
ResearchGate – Media Bias/Fact Check. (2020). Retrieved 10 February 2020, from https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/researchgate/
Finneman, Teri & Thomas, Ryan. (2018). A family of falsehoods: Deception, media hoaxes, and fake news. Newspaper Research Journal. 39. 073953291879622. 10.1177/0739532918796228.