The Philosophies Governing Journalism at Present - Coursework Example

THE PHILOSOPHIES GOVERNING JOURNALISM AT PRESENT Introduction Obviously, as the main reason why journalism exists is for social reason, the main effects of the said art of communication are directly focused upon the society itself. News and other feature programs produced through the existence of journalism are directly affecting the different aspects of living of the society. The said aspects are to be discussed separately in the paragraphs that follow: Human Relationship It has been proven through surveys that human relationships are directly affected by the feature shows or programs that are produced by the network companies through journalism. The fact that the people are able to see how certain life issues affect others, at times, their decisions are then affected so much by what they learn especially from documentary- focused programs shared through the journalism mediums. Human Social Views Once the social issues are featured through programs, it could not be denied that the views and opinions that they once had focused on either the negative or the positive side of the issue are gradually changed due to the views presented through media. Political Preferences During elections, many people in the society rely on what they are able to hear from media. Their decisions on who they are supposed to elect are usually affected either by the programs that are produced to feature the personalities who are connected or in relation with the ones running for position. Seriously, media plays a great part on how the society decides on who they are supposed to place in position. Hence, it could then be concluded that most of the ‘popularity’ competition that happens during elections [both in the first world communities and the third world countries] are directly influenced and even encouraged through media productions. Community Awareness One of the main features of news and journalism is the exposure of the society to the possible criminal threats that are present in the human community. Once they are encouraged to remain aware by the ways that journalism presents the truth about the hidden facts about social crimes, they are then motivated to stay currently updated and aware of what is happening to the society and how the said situations are supposed to affect their lives personally. These breakdowns of social effects produced by journalism certainly points out the fact that media and the system that controls it directly affect the lives of the people living in the society. This is the main reason why even though the journalism system is practiced on either the First or the Third world countries; it should always be considered by journalists that what the people want is honest reporting. The ethical measures of journalism should always be considered as a necessary point of consideration by everyone involved in passing on the news to the public. The credibility of journalism systems is a very important factor that should always be present in journalism practices. Hence, even though high tech gadgets are not present in the present society of the third world countries, this should not be a hindrance for the journalists of the said countries to having been able to produce high-level and high-quality reports for the society. Journalists and editors often select news that fascinates the public but that may not be of real significance. Priority is given to what is sensational or eye-catching so as to increase circulation and ratings. Stars of the entertainment and sports worlds are featured, regardless of what kind of role models they provide for the young. Therefore, if one of them takes a lover, marries, or dies, it often makes the news. Mainly, the goal of journalism has never been different especially concerning the aim of journalism to inform the public of the knowledge they are due to know. However because of the wide development of technology which most likely the developed countries have been able to acquire, the third world countries could be considered in some way behind the said achievements. Although this is the case, technology may be an edge for the industrialized nations, but third world regions still make it a point that they are able to provide high quality journalistic information to the public. The use of hidden cameras and other forensic investigative gadgets have paved way to the revolution of the presentation of news reports in the highly developed continents. Their ability to produce or buy gadgets that are directly helpful to advanced journalism tactics gives them an edge in news reporting processes. Hence, journalism in the first world countries is highly advanced and up to date. With the essential gadgets that are used by reporters to present their collected informations in a high-level quality. As for example, special gadgets are also used in print materials. Publishing machines are already revolutionized and became digital at present to be able to handle big jobs that pertain to mass production of reading materials. Another way of utilizing the new technology is through the incorporation of the AIJ (Artificial Intelligence Journalist) in the editorial processes of the journalistic system. To be able to meet the requirements of a fast-paced production of information materials, these gadgets are incorporated within the news operation processes to be able to produce more mediums of informative materials. Why is this so? The following topic shall answer this query. A New Revolutionized Goal of Modern Journalism Aside from the fact that the aim of journalism is to inform the public, news writing has also come to a different level. Another aim of journalism today is to be able to ‘sell’ to the public. Modern journalism has been able to jump into the bandwagon of the industrial trend. Most of the produced magazines and television news programs are designed to attract masses that are in many ways able to heighten the ‘selling’ activities of the companies hosting journalistic activities. Pertaining to this, Hearst comments that the main reason of the journalistic progress today is to be able to “make a great and continuous noise to attract readers, denounce crooked wealth and promise better condition for the poor to keep readers, INCREASE CIRCULATION”. (Internet) Yes, most journalism companies try to jump into the competition that exists between organizations that are also involved in providing news to the society. With an aim to ‘sell’ to the masses, journalistic trends mainly highlight what the society wants to hear and know. As a result to this, journalism has taken a different genre. It is not only news that the journalism companies aim to share to the public. Today, personal and social interest topics are also shared through media. Different genres of information and news presentation are already given way to be able to cater not only to the needs of the public but also, to what they would want and expect from the news features. This is the reason why there are already special documentary shows that highlight different human-interest topics, or at times exposes the hidden agendas that happen behind politics or other organized crimes that happen in and out of the government systems of a certain country. Aside from the shows mentioned, there are also special interest programs that are created to help people in the society. These shows are usually flagged as “public service” programs. All these program designations are all created basing from the traditional set up of journalism practices. In fact, numerous countries use the said developments of journalism regarding the highlighting of people’s lives in the news since this is what people would actually like to know about. The said genre of ‘personal journalism’ is also termed as the present era’s most important achievement in publishing businesses. Its popularity is just one evidence that the public has a thirst for stories about people. However, besides all the consideration placed upon this truth, it should still be noted that the credibility of news is still a huge matter that needs to be considered by everyone in the field of journalism. References: Silverstein, Harry S. A Defence of Cornman’s Utilitarian Kantian Principle, Philosophical Studies (Dordrecht u.a.) 23, 212–215. 1972. Martin, Michael, "A Utilitarian Kantian Principle," Philosophical Studies, (with H. Ruf), 21, 1970, pp. 90–91. Liberalism and communitarianism: a misconceived debate. Political Studies 40, 273-290. Patterson and Wilkins. (1994). Media Ethics: Issues and Cases. Brown & Benchmark Pub; 2 Sub edition. Read More