Analysis Essay About Fake News

Us as ordinary citizens are oblivious to what is happening around in the world. We the people enable the media to carry out the task of giving back to us what we understand as contemporary life. While News media consumers are more likely to choose and trust news sources that reinforce their political beliefs. The mainstream media manipulates the minds of everyday people because media censorship violates the first amendment, fake news shared on social media is intentionally deceptive and aims to influence readers' beliefs or behaviors. , and Media networks are biased to their party’s opinion.

Even though news consumers are more likely to choose and trust news sources that reinforce their political beliefs, the media manipulates the general public because media networks are biased to their party's opinion and media feeds you information that is intended to stimulate your emotion, and it is easier to stimulate feelings of anger, fear and resentment than it is feelings of joy, affection and security this is deeply corrupting to the political process in various ways. For instance according to Bill Hager “Government leaders are in regular contact with social media platforms, flagging purported misinformation on sites like Facebook. Hagerty asserts that the federal government helping tech companies censor people's viewpoints violates the First Amendment.”(Social Media Censorship Violates the First Amendment)

This statement proves the point that the media is constantly manipulating the general public by picking and choosing information that goes out by flagging information that does not favor certain government officials. This is a direct violation of the first amendment. Another example of the media controlling average people is the spread of fake news. Fake news refers to factually inaccurate information designed to appear like legitimate news. As a form of disinformation. Fake news is not a new paradox. As stated by the article (Fake News on Social media) ”The concept of fake news is not new. Twenty-first-century fake news differs from that of the past due primarily to advances in technology that have made it easier for purveyors of disinformation to create and distribute convincing illusions of truth.” This shows the spread of disinformation plays a major role in how the media is controlling the minds of average people by feeding information that is not true and letting the people believe lies. As shown above the mainstream media manipulates the minds of everyday people in various ways such as media censorship and fake news.

Despite what one might believe that the media is manipulating the minds of the general public, others disagree and don't think the media should be blamed. In fact, some argue that the average person picks and chooses information given by the media to fit their personal beliefs. As can be seen in the article (Media Bias) “Studies indicate that news media consumers are more likely to choose and trust news sources that reinforce their political beliefs.”

This shows that no matter what information the media puts out the general public will only believe what fits their agenda. Therefore the media is not controlling what people believe, it's the people that control their own beliefs. In contrast to what is stated above this idea should be acceptable. Ordinary people should be allowed to form their own opinions on things happening around the world. No one should push their agenda on everyone. Different ideologies create more productivity as the ability to learn and grow from each other is expanded leading to greater innovations and creativity. In agreement with the refute “Research shows that diverse work groups produce more cognitive processing and more exchange of information. Diversity brings in new ideas and experiences, and people can learn from each other. Bringing in different ideas and perspectives leads to better problem-solving. Working in diverse teams opens dialogue and promotes creativity.”  (Elizabeth A Segal) Therefore people picking and choosing information should just motivate news sources to distribute only facts without any bias so the people can believe what they want to believe knowing the truth.  All things considered although some consider the general public trusting sources that only reinforce their opinions an issue. This is no excuse for the media to be spreading disinformation and flagging what people have to say. This shows the media blatantly manipulating the ideas of everyday people.

In the final analysis The mainstream media manipulates the minds of everyday people because media censorship violates the first amendment, fake news shared on social media is intentionally deceptive and aims to influence readers beliefs or behaviors. Although news consumers are more likely to choose and trust news sources that reinforce their political beliefs, the media should not manipulate the general public because the diversity in ideas are very important for a productive society.