Statement of Media Philosophy

Abstract

I voice my philosophy on today’s current state of the media and how the audience utilizes media to benefit their lives. I quote Lee McIntyre’s Post-Truth and Edward Murrow’s 1958 speech Good Night and Good Luck to support my opinions and examples. I describe the negative side of media advancement and how artificial intelligence can be used to harm individuals. Artificial intelligence usage should be reduced overall, but its ability to transcribe data into spreadsheets and answer questions instantaneously means it is here to stay. The media will transform itself in a few years. We can stay on top of media advancements by constantly reading and listening about new technology, while learning how to use different forms of media. The media is a large part of everyone’s lives because we all receive new information through the media. Our reliance may likely increase over time, making it essential that we critically analyze information as fact or fiction. 

Statement of Media Philosophy

In 2026, it is normal to see digital magazines, social media, and digital platforms gaining popular use globally. This advanced form of digital media will transform itself in a few years. Media has already become the biggest source of information, and mobile devices are the most common transporters of knowledge. Educating on the growth of media can help make predictions. We can stay on top of this by constantly learning about new media advances. Media presents dangers and challenges, yet gives optimal support in informing the general public. 

Everyone is too reliant on the media for information. From fauna to international conflict, we receive crucial ideas from news articles, television channels, social media posts, and podcasts. Constant access to information from millions of sources poses a threat to society because falsities can create havoc. Hackers are always on the prowl. The ability to determine whether the media is sending correct information still relies on the individual’s thought process. 

The media delivers education to people at a low cost. Access to the Internet can solve many issues. Homework help and research for students of varying ages are additional positives. The damage is the potential and likelihood of false information sent instantaneously to young, impressionable minds. Media serves an entertainment purpose in my life, as well as providing valuable information and education. 

Fashion magazines, tabloids, and television channels have redefined the role entertainment media plays in the lives of ordinary working-class people. It distracts from real-world issues such as trade wars and global warming. Entertainment media would not exist without its spectacle group of A-list celebrities and their obsessive fans who claw for news. For the unbothered, entertainment news is garbage. Brainrot is a term coined for the damage that reality TV and gossip news cause. Murrow saw the possibility of entertainment disrupting the regular thought process back in 1958. Edward R. Murrow’s speech in Good Night and Good Luck says, “Television is being used to distract, delude, and insulate us” (Murrow, 1958). He also says, “Television is nothing but wires and lights in a box if used only for amusement” (Murrow, 1958). His opinion was that television should be educational instead. He wished the new generation “good luck” (Murrow, 1958), demonstrating he predicted television would become a growing distraction to the American people. 

Media can analyze data, saving precious time and money. Financial auditors use media like Bloomberg TV and the NASDAQ stock market index. The media is great for work purposes. Social media is a boost for all businesses. A new type of media is AI. The convenience of artificial intelligence makes it a serious competitor with traditional news. Information from AI is not controlled, adding to its danger.

Lee McIntyre says, “Donald Trump’s egregious lies regarding the US murder rate at an all-time high” McIntyre, 2018). He states, “Scientific results are now questioned by legions of nonexperts who happen to disagree with them” (McIntyre, 2018). When science is not viewed as non-biased, non-experts create a dangerous world where experts are criticized for speaking the truth. His example warns of the damage of false information. 

Is AI here to steal or save our jobs? The rising uncertainty in US employment was affected by AI’s popularity. There should be laws enforced to make it illegal to create and distribute disturbing artificially-generated content. In a perfect world, AI usage should be controlled among most people. Seeing its usage expand exponentially should worry most. Media is the most important tool anyone in this century has, but it should not manipulate the audience’s opinions or views.

References

McIntyre, L. C. (2018). Post-truth. The MIT Press.

Murrow, E. R. (1958, October 15). A speech to the Radio-Television News Directors Association 

Convention [Transcript]. American Rhetoric. 

https://www.americanrhetatioric.com/speeches/edwardrmurrowrtnda.htm