Mass Media In American Culture

The first amendment grants Americans the freedom of speech, press, petition, assembly and religion. Most particularly, the freedoms of speech and press have come under scrutiny these past few years, especially in mass and social media. Freedom of speech is gradually diminishing on the news, internet, television, movies, video games, and other forms of media. Everyday citizens are beginning to distrust mainstream media and are turning to alternative sites which may not offer accurate information. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have also been allowing controversial opinions surface into society, causing discomfort and increased tensions between people and groups. While mass and social media was projected to inform a general audience, …show more content…
According to Janet Albrechtsen, an Australian opinion columnist for The Australian, argues that free speech is a significant part of our liberty and allows for the “market place of ideas” to exist. With free speech we can “test ideas, where we work out which ones work, which ones don’t. It enables us to progress, rather than stagnate as a society,” (Albrechtsen) illustrating how essential freedom of speech is as it gives birth to new ideas and can impact and affect society. From these ideas, actions can be made and hopefully for the betterment of society. How does this relate in terms of mass media? Mass Media is an essential part of American culture as it is a means of “transmitting and receiving information” (“Mass Media and Free Speech”). All around America, media is used to present advertisements and promote corporate messages. Media has become the typical way to pass information to the people (“Mass Media and Free Speech”). The information passed between the media to the people and to society is the driving force for change and action. Similarly, mass media and social media provide interaction between people and “has become integral to connecting people around the world” (Harawa). The interaction, connections, and information shared between the people and media create foundations for new ideas and driving forces for action. Freedom of speech provides innovation …show more content…
Many questions to who can say what and why others cannot express their own opinions are controversial and difficult to answer. However, this problem cannot come to a standstill, as mass and social media is intended for people to connect and inform each other on daily happenings. If these are restricted because of the freedom of speech laws, the people of society will be uninformed, overtly obedient and no new ideas would come forth to the betterment of society. All forms of media express ideas, and these ideas have an influence on society. While not all ideas may have a positive influence, it is important for them to be presented and show the other side of a problem. Having an entirely black or entirely white society will lead to our stagnation, void of expression and innovations. Thus it is important to protect the freedom of speech in mass and social media as it is the foreground to the action and expression behind new ideas and