Ethical Entertainment

 On the heels of right and wrong who is it that is ultimately responsible for what we do. We are. The question of whether the media should be responsible or not for the images they portray on the television is absolutely insane and an out for parents wanting remove their poor choices on the media industry. We have in place a parental control rating system and while it does not apply to the media over the airwaves it is present on every television show and movie. Many parents have in their possession the ability to “lock out” certain channels or programs from their children. So why is more of this not being done? Laziness. Locking out and monitoring your children takes active participation from the parent. Many parents are either lacking in time or concern in the content of what their children are being subjected to.

I personally have been to a friends house who was watching a program much like CSI while her four year old was in the room. I was mortified and could not hold my tongue. I asked my “friend” if she thought this show was appropriate for her daughter and she seemed shocked by the question as though the thought had never crossed her mind. She turned off the television obviously bothered by my question and shortened our visit by stating some meager chore she needed to attend to. We have not spoke since that day. She is one of those individuals eager to blame all the wrongs in society on someone else. I can see the implications this could have on her child. While the Ethical Issues and codes of ethics in the media could work to be better they seem far superior to the ethics of some individuals themselves.  

Media's Hold On the Norm

 Are we getting the best media content possible? With only a few (six to be exact) companies in the mix to give American's their news, print media, television and movies, is it possible we are falling pray to being brainwashed by the corporations in power? Perhaps. That is until the internet leveled the playing field. At one time the unpopular ideas were not brought to the attention of the public masses. At this day and time however the gap is shortening on what is traditionally considered cultural norm.

From the beginning the media has taught us how to walk, dress and how to speak. We were introduced to the Cleavers who molded in our heads the ideal of perfection in America. We watched commercials of anorexic girls eating low-fat yogurt to “watch their wight” and hard hitting football players running away with the hot cheerleader.

As the internet pushes deeper into our psyche we are exposed to a much wider realm of the world. It is allowing us the opportunity to access a much larger public forum an out from our so called white bread society. We struggle to find who we are in our new found environment. We can now watch overweight “Jersey Girls” cat fighting on a cable network and if by chance you miss the episode you can always watch it “On Demand”. However, through what seems to be the bliss of variety is the honest truth. The media for the most part is still mandating what you watch. Most of it comes in the form of editing.

When watching some programs that involve individuals who are heavily tattooed, pierced or are in love (like really in love) with inanimate objects, I realize the name of the show is Taboo. Why is it called that? Why is the media telling me this is wrong or outside the norm? I have never seen a television program about how the mass of society brushes their teeth. Do they start at the front and then brush the back or visa versa? Who knows. We love the freakish, the unnatural, the outsiders and to keep our interest the media gives it to us, snippets at a time.

The problem with some of these ethical issues is that the media feels it important to point out to you as you watch the “freakish” that there is something wrong with them for being that way. Many times they will air a segment about the individual and then follow it up with a “professional” who explains to you why this is NOT normal. They may give you what it is you want to see, what fascinates your senses all the while demeaning those who find it okay and acceptable.

Human Trafficking

 I have been involved for quite some time in trying to understand the media's role in human trafficking. As strange as it may seem, thanks to the internet, globally the numbers of individuals bought and sold in this underground society is on the rise. Some individuals take out loans to repay debts to rid their families of poverty, however the price they pay is in their own flesh. Young girls and women on a promise of a better life via better job are stolen from their families with little if any possibility of escape. As statistics show in this website http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-human-trafficking, the number of slaves around the world is approximately 27 million and the cost per slave averages ninety dollars.

Where does the media come into play on this subject? Many US sites (Craig's list and back-page) support or allow advertisers to have “adult” sections on their sites with little if any regulation. The problem with the media is that so many deny the problem exists or that the facts about human trafficking are correct. Really I find this to be a complete disgrace and only seems to exemplify the problem. While some media outlets are trying to alert the public of the issue, others are either turning a blind eye or trying to discredit the news agencies. It takes great leadership and courage to commit yourself to a cause that so many others see as meaningless and unworthy of reporting on.

In films several movies have been made about human trafficking to help bring about awareness. The plot line of some were based on human trafficking while others had it hidden away in the context but it was still present. Movies such as Slum dog Millionaire, Born into Brothels, Memoirs of a Geisha and Trace are but a few and each very worthy of watching. If you little or nothing about human trafficking ask yourself why that is. Does the media think it is one of those “taboo” subjects we should stay away from? Is it because it is so controversial? Maybe it is because human trafficking is big business and perhaps politicians are getting some form of kickbacks from letting it slide. Either way, the dismissal or denial of it as an epidemic is heart wrenching.

There are times when the media is a great outlet for covering controversial subjects and there are times that the silence of coverage says more than an editorial ever could. The truth, in my opinion, is that because most of the victims are women and live in poverty makes their lives less valuable. Without value there is no care nor concern.

Kaylee Anthony was abducted or drowned or tied up and disposed of. The media frenzy that buzzed around this story was relentless and why? In 2009 a mother sold her five year old daughter for sex to obtain money for drugs. Why was this case not more highly publicized? What is it that dictates the stories the media is willing to cover from beginning to end and those it simply writes an article about and moves on?

Ethically speaking the media should do more to uncover the dirty truth of social injustice. This was after all the premise of the media. This is why we wanted the newspaper and printing press, to contribute to society our knowledge of the indecency plaguing mankind. Why know are we turning a blind eye and pretending it does not exist?

A worthy read:http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5935051,00.html

Ethical Issues in the Media regarding Religion

 Media Ethics and code of ethics in media are falling from the platform of grace and truth. Somewhere into the darkness of greed, the media is beginning to slowly wander and the creed of “ for the greater good of humanity” is loosing ground. In recent news Harold Camping, American Christian Radio broadcaster and president of Family Radio went on a rampage warning the “Rapture” was near. Many people quit their jobs to devote their time to standing on the street and handing out information on the rapture and the importance to repent. Some spent thousands putting up billboards and running advertisements about the “Rapture” prediction. Camping's predictions were not limited to the United States alone, they were world wide. This was big news. Without much thought to the implications of massive public awareness the media spent weeks covering the story. The images and interviews of people standing on the streets shouting the implications of turning a blind eye. Supporters of Camping claimed without acceptance of God those who were not raptured would be left on earth to endure torment until the Apocalypse.

The proclamation of the end of time was followed closely by the media as well as the supporters of Camping. The code of Ethics in the media was non-existent. The media devoted countless hours interviewing Camping and his followers, posting information to his website and providing snippets of insight to the possibility of truth to his claim.

What separates Harold Camping from being an entertainer is that his his predictions of the false rapture was a direct reason for suicide and attempted murder of some followers. Is he a criminal, of course, but in all truth so is the media for its indulgence of this lunacy. If this were an individual telling people to commit suicide or commit random acts of murder the media would have hidden in away in the belly of the unknown and contacted law enforcement. In no way was the following of this outlandish story for the greater good of the general population.

When it comes to ethical issues in the media there needs to be some guidelines. Freedom of speech is priceless but we still have limitations as to what is acceptable and unacceptable in our society. Screaming the sky is falling and causing mass panic somehow follows the unacceptable attribute in my book. It is very unfortunate that even in the end this man, Harold Camping, never once took responsibility for any wrong doing. Really Harold, what would Jesus do?

No Where To Hide

There are times when I feel that the world is becoming too informative.  I truly believe in freedom of speech but at some point i think we should implement IQ and breathalyzer testing on texting and emailing devices.  Seriously.  With all the media hype surrounding recent current events it has come to my attention that, yes indeed, opinions are like @$$holes, everybody has one.  In recent days it has been the uproar about the Casey Anthony Trial that has inundated my Social Network Site with endless blather about the trial, who did what, when and then the outcome of the verdict.  I have done my best to remove myself from the things I do not want to know but somehow, like it or not, I am forced to see, hear and listen to the masses if they believe it to be so.  I cannot seem to escape.