Diversity in the media - Essay Example

They may derive from any number of aspects of the communication content. “They may be considered as psychological or political or economic or sociological. They may operate upon opinions, values, information levels, skills, taste, or overt behavior” (Heibert, 2001). According to Don Rojas (2002), “News organizations help shape the perceptions of millions and, through these influences, even determine the destiny of our people. The media can either tell our stories accurately or misrepresent our experiences.

” One media organization that is dedicated to reporting the news of the day with an alternative slant that purposely calls into question the one-sided viewpoint typically presented in more traditional programs is The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Although it doesn’t at first seem to have any particular slant toward a gendered or racial audience, closer examination of the text and its associated advertising will reveal that this show is geared mostly to the traditional WASP (white anglo-saxon protestant) upwardly-mobile male viewer.

The Daily Show is a 30-minute late night television program that airs each weeknight and bases its humor on the news events of the day, occasionally making biting observations on policymakers and other issues. It takes a decidedly and unapologetic liberal stance to the more conservatively reported news and events reported elsewhere. In the show, a single ‘news anchor’, Jon Stewart, recaps the headline news stories of the day through the use of actual news footage, previously taped field interviews, in-studio guest appearances and live coverage of events when possible.

The show employs approximately five other individuals, most of them male, who are placed in a ‘reporter’ type position to cover in-field interviews or other features of the show. It is produced by Jon Stewart and Ben Karlin with co-executive