BLOG 1: THE MEDIA AS A CULTURAL STORYTELLER
The mass media is a cultural storyteller. How true is this in your group's opinion? (200 words)
Like how most audience dont stand a chance to interact with people of different cultures, the only way to be well aware of other cultures is through the media. That is why the media plays a significant role in shaping the perception of the audience of a certain culture.
The media has always been the platform where people everywhere gain knowledges and informations from. Therefore whatever sources the media spread will play a big significance among the society. Though media can easily form and shape the perception of the society on the understanding of different cultures, it too can change and reshape the perception of the society upon certain cultures as easily.
Despite the fact that the media is helpful in spreading the characteristics and habituals of a certain culture, it may sometimes also over exaggerate to gain attention in order to increase the viewer ratings which may lead to misunderstandings to a different culture. In particular, media tend to always highlight the cuisine culture of the Japanese with sushis, which cause foreigners to assume that the Japanese eat sushis everyday, though in reality Japanese barely eat sushis, it is just like asking if Americans eat steaks everyday.
Mass media makes perspectives and outlooks and defines what is standard and acceptable. This concludes that the human's mindset can easily be controlled and shaped just by a simple commitment made by the media, to this our group will conclude that it is very true that the media can be a cultural storyteller.
Describe at least 3 beliefs, values or attitudes from the TV programmes that has influenced the audience's perception of culture and reality, especially if the audience watched such programmes repeatedly. (250-350 words)
Explain what do you understand about the media as a cultural storyteller. (50-100 words)
It states that the media plays a role as a cultural storyteller. And yes indeed, it does..Storytellers are great individuals who would amuse and entertain the listeners with the stories they share, they project the imagination of the listeners. In this case, the media acts as the storyteller while the receivers act as the listeners.
The media indirectly shapes our mindsets and changes our beliefs, which results to an increase in stereotypical people within the society. The media would project a scene, display it through a medium and convince us to act the same way. The media always uses the perfect words to change or manipulate our thoughts. Sometimes they take it further by making videos out of it. The visual effects are something that will be indelibly etched in our minds owing to the fact that we are sensitive to what we see.
Though sometimes we can relate with what the media says about our culture, but we also do agree that most of it are exaggerations. This may cause misunderstanding among cultures. Whatever the media shows about another culture will create a perception in our minds convincing us that that is how a certain culture behaves because the media emphasizes it so strongly by constantly repeating the same points.
Therefore, the mass media truly does what it does best: changing our thoughts and manipulating our beliefs through their powerful media forms and story lines.
The two TV series of similar genre that we have examined are:
Source: http://www.playbuzz.com/mollie10/which-glee-girl-are-you
TV programmes like Glee often shows that you need to be a cheerleader to be cool or to be accepted. For instance, in Glee, they portrayed Quinn and Santana who are in the cheer squad as the popular kids. The whole school worshipped them..Kids after watching this will strive to be popular they don’t concentrate on their education. The purpose of going to school is to gain knowledge but because of this perception, teenagers nowadays only strive to be popular in high school. Whereas in My Mad Fat Diary, the only way you will be accepted by the society is to own nice clothes and have this certain physical appearance.
In recent years the debate of homosexuality has become even more of a hot topic due to the media and politics. In My Mad Fat Diary, one of the character named Archie had to lie about his sexuality. Because if he did reveal his true sexuality he will be bullied by the society. Through this, the media has shown homosexual people the negative responds they will receive if they come out and it makes it harder for the gay community to come out in reality.
Though cheerleaders are known to be cool, they are also highly critised by the people. According to Glee, the culture of every cheerleader is a b*tch or a "dumb blonde"
Glee - Bree is the new school B*tch - Tina In The Sky With Diamonds
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On572jBkxkg
Santana Lopez Top B*tch Moments
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruvHIYDzRJ0
In reality most cheerleaders are actually nice people who are disciplined and have good manners. They actually give pride to the school’s name by entering national competitions or even international competitions. We even know of cheerleaders who are top in their classes.
Though the media may influence the mindset of people upon certain people of a certain culture in the wrong way, there are times where the media also implies messages with good intentions. For example, My Mad Fat Diary has succesfully proven that oversized people too, can live a good life. In this movie, Rae has proven that despite her size, she is still able to go after and own what she wants, especially her love for Finn. This has influenced the audience to think that one’s size does not mean everything and it does not stop one from doing what they love. As for Glee, Emma has influenced the audience to think that we should pursue our own dreams and just do what our heart tells us to do without looking back.
Conclusion: What can we learn about mass media's influence in shaping our perceptions about reality through its role as a "cultural storyteller"? (150-250 words)
When mass media plays its role as a cultural storyteller, we are able to learn about our communities' status.The mass media helps us to differentiate the good and the bad. They project examples of what is cool and what is not, the right and the not-so-right. What we know about the mass media's influence is that it is very manipulating, powerful and effective.
One thing about the media is that it has the abillity to turn a cruel performance into a message with positive intentions or even vice versa. For instance, there was this video that went viral which tells the society that it is okay to betray your best friend, as long as you are independent, life will go on well, you do not need to rely on anyone else. Though people find the message that the media was implying on meaningful, there are actually people who find it very cruel at the same time. This is because different perspectives are seen from different point of views. Simultaneously, mass media helps us to get in touch with the other side of the world. Without forms of media, we would not recognize or value one's culture. In a sense, it educates on our norms and beliefs.
Perceptions are created by ourselves or it may come from a source of media. But the word "perception" does suggest an idea of whatmay be true or what may be not. And the mass media holds this key concept in the palm of their hands. In other words, they are best at making perceptions for us to believe in.
Writers: Amanda and Hazel
Researchers: Aina and Tze Xin
Editor: Hazel
END
