Since Journalism 210 Is Dedicated To The Study Of Media

Since Journalism 210 Is Dedicated To The Study Of Media And Culture I

Since Journalism 210 is dedicated to the study of media and culture, I want students to carefully consider the increasingly important role the mass media play in our lives. One way to do this is to reflect on our personal media experiences. During the next two weeks, I want you to select a 24-hour period and keep a journal that carefully tracks your mass media consumption. Keep in mind that many media interactions are voluntary – such as reading a book or watching a show on Netflix – but others are thrust upon you – like seeing a billboard while driving or being exposed to radio or TV programming while at a restaurant. You will need to use your judgment to decide what constitutes mass media for your tracking.

Include all interactions with newspapers, magazines, books, websites, blogs, apps, video games, social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), billboards, posters, advertising (including mass emails), radio or streaming music, TV or streaming video services, DVDs or Blu-rays, and films. Although some may consider text messaging as personal communication, exceptions are possible, such as receiving advertising texts. Your goal is to demonstrate a thoughtful and detailed account of your media consumption and reflect on the influence of mass media in your life.

To complete the assignment, visit Class Blog – Week 7 and post a two-part reflection. Part 1 involves your media diary, noting the dates of your tracking period and estimating the hours or minutes spent with each type of media, providing specific examples as shown in the sample. Part 2 should be approximately 250 words discussing what you learned from tracking your media usage, including any surprises, whether your media diet is lighter or heavier than expected, and how the media influences your life. Discuss whether you plan to change your media habits based on your observations, explaining your reasons clearly.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the role of mass media in daily life requires a conscious and detailed reflection on personal media consumption patterns. By tracking a 24-hour media diet and analyzing its influence, individuals can gain insights into their media habits and the broader cultural implications.

The significance of media in contemporary society is profound, shaping perceptions, influencing behavior, and contributing to cultural formation. As media sources become increasingly pervasive—including digital platforms, social media, streaming services, and traditional outlets—their impact grows more complex and subtle. The exercise of maintaining a media diary over a single day offers a practical method for individuals to observe their interaction with various media forms, quantify their consumption, and assess its role in their lives.

Initial observations from media diaries often reveal unanticipated insights. Many individuals may assume their media usage is moderate, yet detailed tracking frequently uncovers a higher engagement level than perceived. For example, spending several hours on social media or streaming platforms can seem minimal in daily recaps but accumulate significantly over a 24-hour period. Conversely, some may realize they spend less time with traditional print media than anticipated because of the decline in physical newspapers and magazines.

The influence of media extends beyond mere entertainment. Media exposure shapes worldviews, influences opinions through news and advertising, and even subtly impacts emotional states. For instance, access to digital news alerts and social media updates can heighten awareness of current events but also contribute to information overload or anxiety. Recognizing such effects prompts individuals to reflect on their media choices and consider healthier consumption patterns.

Many individuals discover that their media diet is heavier than they imagined, with digital devices dominating their day. This realization can motivate efforts to balance media consumption, reduce screen time, or diversify entertainment sources. Conversely, some might find their habits are lighter, prompting reflections on whether their media experiences are sufficiently enriching or informative.

Based on these reflections, some individuals may choose to implement changes. For example, reducing social media use to improve mental health, scheduling designated media-free times, or prioritizing more meaningful content such as books or educational media. Others may recognize their media engagement is appropriate or beneficial and choose to maintain their current habits. Ultimately, awareness is the first step towards cultivating a media diet aligned with personal and social well-being.

Incorporating this exercise into understanding media's role fosters critical media literacy, encouraging individuals to scrutinize their media experiences deliberately. Such awareness can lead to more conscious consumption, reducing negative influences and enhancing positive impacts. As digital and traditional media continue to evolve, ongoing reflection remains vital for navigating their complex influence in contemporary life.

References

• McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. McGraw-Hill.