The mass-media have adverse effect on moral standards. Do you agree? Исполнитель

Mass media play an important role in our life. Radio, TV, magazines, newspapers and the Internet reach and influence a very large audience, at least as large as the whole population of a nation. Mass media is influential because it can be used for various purposes: popularization, for business and social concerns, education, entertainment, video and computer games. The mass media inform us of what is going on this world and also influence the way we see the world and shape our views. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that in the last years these mass media have abused their position of power creating an adverse effect on moral standards, due to the explicit language and the images of violence which the viewer is bombarded with.

To begin with, there has been a serious decline in moral standards on television. There are a lot of coarse programs which show vulgar characters. Similarly, the news informs us showing the images of desperation, grief, misery, and death. It is clear that by watching such graphic images, we have become immune to shocking moments and events which offended us in the past. In addition, parents must be preoccupied about their children’s access to the Internet since the pictures or videos of celebrities’ most private affairs, pornographic scenes, or horrific scenes of death can be seen at any time.

However, it must be admitted that the mass media have a lot to offer in the area of education. The news and documentaries, as well as the Internet, can give us useful and educational information if the material is handled in a responsible manner. What is more, modern society have benefited greatly from the mass media to expedite the growing trend towards globalization and universal development. The media are also influential in the way they facilitate the spread of culture and lifestyle. The so-called 'global youth culture', in which one finds young people around the world displaying a common interest in music, clothing styles and films, is an example of the media's enormous sway in this regard. A popular figure such as Michael Jackson would never be so well known were it not for the media's extensive reach into every society on the globe.

 Thus I would argue that the mass media's influence is certainly great. Indeed, with technological advancements such as the Internet bringing even more forms of electronic media to our homes and workplaces, it is likely the media's influence will grow even stronger.