Reporting Important Issues: Basic Role of Media

Reporting Important Issues
Basic Role of Media As An Informative Main Source
Lee, Haesoo

Most dictators have controlled mass media for political means. During the military regime of Korea, Chun Doo-hwan, the dictator set up a policy called "3S: Screen, Sports, and Sex" or "ignorance policy". It was enough for people to turn to those sensational things rather than ills of the society. While people just focused on 3S through television, radio and newspaper, they ignored and forgot what was happening at that time. Even today, media are regarded as a mouthpiece for some political parties, controversial issues have been hidden because the government blocks them to its favor. For that reason, some of the mass media have been criticized, people do not seem to trust the news reports any more in media. However, if the media do not announce what happens in the world, important matters will be totally ignored. This argument is based on the following cases: PD notebook spreading concerns about U.S. beef, oil spill damage in Taean, and the continuous news reports about the Dokdo conflict. People can also share their perspectives through social networking. It helps people judge information in the media with critical detachment.

PD notebook, a current affairs program, broadcast about the dangers of mad cow disease (BSE: bovine spongiform encephalopathy). Korea was the third largest market in the world for American beef, many people bought low-priced imported meats until the broadcast. However, the program reported dangers of BSE, giving specific cases. European Union banned meat from the US from entering Europe because the majority of meat in America is injected with hormones twice during the last 100 days of its life to promote a growth spurt. PD notebook strongly asserted that BSE is caused from the injected cows. It had an influence on people's perspective, they started protesting food safety. Finally, the Korean government required an indication of origin on all meats. This case shows how the media can alert people to important issues that people probably had not thought about before. Media provide and supplies access to information of mad cow disease.

▲ The Taean oil spill

Another example is the Taean oil spill. it shows how powerful the media is. Citizens were indifferent to the issue, brushed aside it. People did not realize how serious it was until a reporter posted pictures and stories of the situation in Taean on a news website. Many television programs then made an effort to raise funds and promote outdoor activities. Celebrities, spokespeople, and even entertainers reported on the Taean restoration process. Finally, many volunteers from various regions gathered there. According to an article, 4 percent of the total population in the nation rushed to Taean to help out. We can learn that the media announce current issues, we get information through them. Moreover, the media lead us to think and act in some way like people joined to clean Taean right after broadcasting the situation.

▲ Many volunteers from various regions gathered in Taean

People consider important issues for 2 or 3 days then they forget them and do not seem to care them. That is why the media should not ignore social affairs. The 'Dock-do' problem is one dispute over distorted Japanese history. When Japan causes trouble connected to that subject, the issue is spread through news reports. Koreans are enraged at Japan, but the anger does not last long. However, the media arouses people’s attention so they do not ignore the issue. Media keep the public memories alive. It announces that Dokdo is in danger and in order to stop the extortion of Dokdo by the Japanese we should know more about it.

As mentioned above, it is because of media that we are all aware of what is happening around us. However, media do not seem to be good in their basic role. Therefore, we must step back and consciously think about how they shape our lives and what they are saying. There are a lot of methods to prevent excessive dependence on the media: Twitter, Facebook, and other social network interfaces. For example, the Libyan government has blocked the mass media since the Jasmine revolution. However, protesters have written their situation on Twitter, and the comments have been spread quickly. Those types of networking can help us think critically information from media.

In conclusion, the media has a main role to provide us with information about what is happening in the other parts of the world. We became aware of dangers of BSE from a television program, we became interested in oil spill damage in Taean, and we have kept a close eye on Japan's distorted history. Today media tend to be sensational and hide constructive news, but to discover the truth about current events, we express our opinions, discuss, and criticize the issues through social networking sites. I agree that getting ignored is getting forgotten, so the media can be an informative main source. It is only up to us to filter the news critically.