Media: Morality and Why It Matters - Coursework Example

Media: Morality and Why It Matters Introduction Media is everywhere, comprising the majority of humanity’s entertainment as well as learning and cultural opportunities. In this digital and technological age, we rely on the media more than ever, looking to it for enjoyment, information, and knowledge. Though media used to consist of radio and single-theater motion pictures, the industry has grown to encompass a variety of media - movies, television, music, video games, and even books. We look up to media to offer us new ideas about life or different views in which to regard a situation or event. With ample ways to present information and entertainment to the masses, there are just as many opportunities to spread unique and individual ideas, which may not always be for our benefit. The media begins to have a power over the way that we think, replacing our ideas with those of others, or else making us realize concepts that we never dreamed of. Given the openness and freedom of the artists behind our media, there is very little monitoring of these subjects that are presented to us. In a world that strives for freedom, artistic expression is usually left alone, depending on us to make the decisions of whether or not we should become involved with it. Unfortunately, due to the ease of access by which we are able to implement media into our daily lives, we risk implementing ideas and actions that go against human morality. With no boundaries, our media displays images and concepts that most of us shudder to think of, yet we continue to allow ourselves to welcome these ideas. While media plays a large, relentless role in influencing our minds and, in turn, our lives, it needs to be realized that morality is what needs to be understood, not the depletion of it from our media. Morality Morality consists of the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior. As is evident from the word itself, morality deals with morals; it plays a role in formulating ethical theories in not only individuals but in societies and cultures as a whole. Morality is what allows us to decide what is the proper way to behave, how to respond to situations with good sense, and to understand when certain behaviors or actions are not called for or looked down upon. Each person has their own moral code, whether it be based on religion, society, culture, or even their family. Morality matters in life because it sets out to prevent negative and even criminal actions. It gives people the opportunity to understand the differences between right and wrong so that they may implement this knowledge into their everyday lives. Though there are many that commit crimes and heinous acts, such as murder and rape, others that do not engage in these types of activities have an understanding of morality. Without morality, the actions considered normal would be those currently sending people to prison. However, morality is often questioned when it comes to our media. As aforementioned, there is no real limit to what can be shown or heard; while some countries ban certain television shows, movies, or books, there are still others who give media free reign. These types of media usually come complete with a “Viewer Discretion Advised” warning, allowing viewers and listeners to know that what they are about to enjoy has questionable topics involved. Nonetheless, the questionable aspect of these topics is whether or not the actions have proper moral responses to them. Morality in Media There are two sides to the existence of morality in media. The first side is that media clearly portrays concepts that are often vulgar and graphic, topics that most people regard as taboo. It is because of this that there are many people that are against media and the stories that it shares with us. The second side is that most of the stories we see in media, regardless of how gruesome or graphic the subject matter, make it known that there is a good and bad side, or wrong and right, to the situation being depicted (Shaw 74). They often do this by enabling the good guys to win and the bad guys to suffer the consequences. However, between these two points is the fact that media is willing to display such graphic detail to begin with. With the various forms of media come numerous ways to view concepts of morality. Movies and television shows provide visuals, music provides auditory, video games offer unique experiences of physically engaging in the activity, and books focus on the mind and imagination, though some also use visuals. As each form offers something different in regard to how the topic is viewed or experienced, they also are able to divulge into different topics, all depending on what they want their viewer or listener to get out of the experience. Movies Film is the one medium that is allowed to have free reign over what is displayed for audiences. This is done through the film rating system, which makes it so that only certain ages are allowed admittance into a theater that might have vulgar or graphic content. The concept of good and bad is seen in almost every movie, even romances, during which the nice guy tries to win over the heart of his beloved from someone who is cocky or obnoxious. Other films, such as those with R or NC-17 ratings, contain more mature themes yet still follow the same good versus bad concept. All movies follow the same structure: beginning, middle, and end. The beginning introduces the characters and the conflict; the middle consists of the conflict unraveling and the protagonist understanding what they must do in order to survive; the end is what the entire movie comes down to, the moments that the protagonist finally gets their chance to solve the conflict that was presented to them at the beginning of the film. In terms of morality, the movie presents the conflict in the beginning, and the good and bad guys fight it out in the middle. The conflict of such movies can vary in horridness, from murder, to rape, or simply to try and show who the better person of the two is. The end of the film is where it all comes together, the part that shows the true morality of the subject matter. Crash is a prime example of morality in a film. Centered around racism and prejudice, the film also touches base on concepts of murder and sexual assault. While there is no distinct good or bad guys in this film, negative actions are played out by various individuals just to be reevaluated by them at the end of the film. After they had realized that what they did went against morals and ethics, they repented. Their morality allowed them to distinguish the differences between right and wrong. Television Shows As television shows are more easily accessible than movies, subject matter, or at least the conveying of the subject, is monitored. Television shows do not have to censor themselves, but parents do like to know that their children are not being subjected to harsh topics that they do not approve of. It is this that makes topics such as rape taboo even in the television industry. There is no proper way of displaying such a topic, even though it is one that easily fits into the concept of good and bad. Television shows are similar to the structure of movies, though they are shorter. Therefore, the protagonist and antagonist have to go from point A to point C a lot quicker while still being able to get the message through to viewers. Many of these shows end up playing up to the concepts of good and bad without fully going in to the details of the situation. Shows like the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) series jump straight from the incident, to figuring out what happened, to arresting the proper person. The television shows focus solely on solving crimes, which, in turn, bring about the concept of good and bad. Television shows tend to be more moralistic given the age groups that can end up watching them. Regardless of the grim and bloody details, all television shows still end with a clear lesson of morals and ethics. Music Music is, unfortunately, entirely different. Though with a similar ratings list as movies, all music is easily accessed by anybody with a working Internet connection. Unlike movies and television shows, music usually does not have a distinct beginning, middle, and end; it simply tells a story, one with no resolve being met. It is because of this that many graphic concepts are brought up without any delineation of what is right and what is wrong. Especially in the genres of rap and metal, taboo sexual exploits, drugs, and gang violence are usually the subject matter, but the concepts of right and wrong are shrouded by the lyrics. Songs tell stories, but not the progression and conclusion of an issue. Music supports the side of the argument that this kind of material should not be made available, or at least as easily accessible as it makes no mention of morals and ethics. Though this does not speak for all music, it must still be known that every song describes a subject or an incident, not a complete story. The lack of time in a song takes away further messages that could be left with the listener. Instead, what people hear in the three or four minutes of the song is all that they walk away with. Far from explaining the differences between right and wrong, the songs just make their stance known and leave it at that. Video Games Video games are quite similar to music in the sense that there is nothing to distinguish what is right and what is wrong. Likewise, its rating system makes it clear that only certain ages should be playing certain games based on the subject matter. Games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto allow players to engage in the story. However, the characters they play are usually on the wrong side of the law. Killing police officers, innocent civilians and passers-by, and dealing with drugs and theft, the goal of these characters is to not get caught and to take down as many other people as they can. It can be argued that there is no sense of morality in video games. Unfortunately, in many games this is true. The fact remains that in some games, such as Grand Theft Auto, there is a punishment to be had for the crimes committed by the character. The whole purpose of the game is to avoid the police, which conveys that what the person is doing is illegal and therefore wrong. When he is caught by the cops for his wrongdoings, the game is over. The same game also allows the characters to play on the same side as the police officers, showing players the opposite side of the good versus bad structure. The one major negative aspect of video games is that players physically and mentally engage themselves in the story. Instead of simply taking in an image or words, such as with a movie or a song, the person enables their character to actually commit the misdeed. Not only are people subjected to this type of interaction, but they are learning for themselves that that kind of behavior is all right. Books Books are perhaps the most tamest of media forms, though they can also be the most graphic in content. Without doubt, books have the most leeway when it comes to the content of the stories; this, however, just means that more is at stake where morality is concerned. Fortunately, similar to movies, books are equipped with the same format, presenting the beginning for the conflict, the middle for the action, and the end for the moral. Books leave a lot to the imagination though, allowing readers to decide for themselves how a certain conflict should have ended. The majority of books, such as the famous Harry Potter series, divulges purely into realms of good and bad. Despite what may go on between the pages, the story still ends up making it clear that there are good behaviors and there are bad behaviors, and that the latter is properly punished. There are very few books that do not follow this similar structure. These are the ones lacking moralistic foundations. Understanding Morality Through Media One of the greatest purposes of media is to tell a story. Whether it is a song or a video game, a story is being told. More often than not, these stories divulge into matters of morality and ethics. Media has so much influence over people that it can almost be considered their top priority to ensure that proper morality is displayed. If a movie makes it seem that murdering someone is a good behavior by not allowing the murderer to be caught or meet his end in a way that would suggest that his own actions were wrong, then the movie condones the behavior of murder for others (Plaisance 28). Even simpler things, like disobeying a parent or lying about why a student does not have their homework to turn in, can be taken out of the context of morality if nothing comes of the situation. Every bad behavior or action has a negative result; in turn, every good behavior or action is greeted with a reward. Everyone has access to some form of media or other. Music is the most popular, followed immediately by books and television shows. Video games and movies are considered to be luxuries, but are still easily attainable. These forms of media, while perhaps not being clean-cut and wholesome, should still come equipped with lessons of morality. People, children especially, are very impressionable and will copy or repeat anything that comes in contact with their eyes or ears. If lessons of right and wrong are not displayed to them in a way that they can truly learn morals and ethics, they could end up being the ones committing crimes or causing havoc. The condoning of behavior is what media needs to get a grasp on. Learning right from wrong is a universal concept. If people do not understand the differences between the two, there are going to be clashes of behavior amongst people. Furthermore, when media stories do not make it known that bad behavior is not punished or reprimanded, then they are painting an inaccurate picture of what life is really like. The media holds a lot of power, casting its various messages and influences over billions of people. With the fan base that follows the numerous programs, movies, and stories, the least that can be done is that they all give an honest picture of what happens with good and bad behavior. From this, people can begin to learn, or further grasp, morality. This knowledge will not only help them think in a more moralistic manner, but fully understand the purpose of morals and ethics in society. Conclusion The media, in all of its forms, is a vital part of human life. From sun up to sun down, a person will experience media numerous times; many of these people will do so without realizing the pull and influence that it has on people. One of the greatest things that media touches upon is morality in every possible form. For the most part, media is good about displaying morality and situations involving such in a way that will not leave the viewer or listener guessing as to what was or was not proper or acceptable behavior. Morality is an important concept in our ethical environment as it sets boundaries for good and bad behavior, as well as reward and punishment systems to be implemented when need be. It would do people well to understand the differences between right and wrong as this could greatly decrease the amount of crime and lesser offenses, such as lying or cheating. Without noting what is right and what is wrong, people can make the mistake of acting without thinking. Media, in all of its power, can help to lay out the concepts of morality, helping to build a more ethically sound world (Pritchard 204). Works Cited Plaisance, Patrick. Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing, 2008. Pritchard, David. Holding the Media Accountable: Citizens, Ethics, and the Law. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2000. Shaw, Colin. Deciding What We Watch: Taste, Decency, and Media Ethics. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1999. Read More