COMM 1006 Constantly Experiencing the Sensation of Being Observed
The sensation of Being Observed
The paragraph following the prompt appears to be unrelated and may have been intended for a different question. However, if I were to rephrase the paragraph to make it more concise and understandable, it could be written as The concept of freedom of expression and the press is more complex than it appears. The First Amendment serves as a crucial safeguard for democracy and prevents the government from suppressing the press. However, the United States ranks only 43rd on the World Press Freedom Index, alongside countries like Ghana, South Africa, and Jamaica.
COMM 1006 Constantly Experiencing the Sensation of Being Observed
Reporters Without Borders finds that several countries have stronger press freedom than the US. Losing freedom of expression in Western democracies would make it challenging to access published information and ideas. Things are rarely as simple as they seem, and this applies to freedom of expression and the press as well. The First Amendment acts as a safeguard for democracy, protecting it like a seatbelt in a car and preventing the government from suppressing the press. This critical amendment is enshrined in our country’s most important document.
Despite this, the United States is ranked 43rd on the World Press Freedom Index, along with countries such as Ghana, South Africa, and Jamaica. Reporters Without Borders has identified that several countries have stronger press freedom than the US. Losing freedom of expression in Western democracies would make it challenging to find published information and opinions.
It’s frightening to think about what the government would disseminate through various alternative media outlets that can now showcase content according to viewer preferences if the press wasn’t free. Both good and bad government actions could be exposed and made public. Losing press freedom would mean losing all of this information. We already face biased treatment among platforms when a media outlet is switched on, which can lead to propaganda and fear-mongering. A state-run media outlet could sway many people, especially those who already have faith in the government. Even with access to press freedom, the Covid-19 pandemic has shown how influential the media can be. If the press were not under our control, everything would be chaotic.
COMM 1006 Constantly Experiencing the Sensation of Being Observed
Due to the abundance of social media platforms available to us in today’s society, we have the power as individuals to spread certain information or propaganda across different cultures. It’s common knowledge that certain news channels selectively filter what the public sees. I have no doubt that this happens, and if one were to observe all the negative news that surrounds us, it’s clear that it only serves to instill fear in society. While there are undoubtedly terrible people in the world, there are also individuals performing remarkable deeds that we rarely get to see on news channels. I don’t own a TV at home and don’t plan on getting one soon. By taking a break from watching TV, we can observe people’s behaviors and recognize how much of a grip television has over us. This was especially apparent during the COVID pandemic when people were consumed by fear as a result of what they learned from FOX News. Just imagine the difficulty of finding published information and ideas if Western democracies were to lose their freedom of expression. The government would have control over various media outlets, which could limit the dissemination of information to what they want the public to see. Currently, we are able to monitor the government’s actions and make events, both positive and negative, public.
However, without press freedom, all of this would no longer be possible. Moreover, media outlets often show favoritism towards specific platforms, which can lead to misinformation and propaganda being spread. If freedom of expression is lost in Western democracies, it will be difficult to access published information and ideas. The government’s actions could be broadcast on various media outlets that may be allowed to show only what they desire. This could be a thing of the past if we lose our free press. State-run media would resort to propaganda tactics like fear-mongering and could manipulate people who already have faith in the government. The Covid-19 pandemic illustrates the power of the media, even when we have access to freedom of the press. People today have access to multiple social media platforms, giving them the power to spread specific news or propaganda across cultures. However, specific news channels tend to be biased and only show negative news, which induces fear in society.
COMM 1006 Constantly Experiencing the Sensation of Being Observed
Despite the world having horrible people, there are also individuals performing extraordinary actions that we may not see on news channels. The speaker’s home has no television, and the pandemic made them realize how much control television has over us. From my perspective, individuals who experience high levels of anxiety in our society could benefit from turning off their televisions. While we still have freedom of the press, people will continue to be troubled by the information presented on television.
Despite my earlier discussion on the influence of television and social media, a free press also has other significant impacts. For example, as college students, we may face challenges. Our current mode of online learning would be considerably disrupted. Walden University’s social change initiative is designed to serve as a connecting point for collaborative partnerships, action research, and initiatives that result in meaningful action for long-lasting, positive social change. However, if the government takes control of the press, the initiative would likely be altered to reflect government priorities, and the college’s mission statement could be entirely disregarded.
References
Academic Guides: Center for Social Change: About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/social-change/about-us#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20the%20Walden%20University%20Center%20for,to%20purposeful%20action%20for%20sustainable%20positive%20social%20change. D’Arcy, P. (2017). Why freedom of the press is more important now than ever. TED Ideas. Retrieved from https://ideas.ted.com/why-freedom-of-the-press-is-more-important-now-than-eve
