I studied media at college. I have to admit that out of the subjects I did, that was the one that got my attention the most (I also did psychology, and sociology, though the less said about them, the better). There was something about the media, that I just loved. I was also astonished at just how much power the media exercised over us mere mortals. Before embarking on my media course, everything I saw on the news, or I saw in a newspaper I believed. It's got to be true right? I mean they put it in the papers for gods sake, so it's true. From my media course, I learnt that you can't believe everything you read or see on the television, that just like everything else, that is also manipulated, and used to make people think certain things, and nothing is ever what it seems. I know a few people left that class with a tainted view of the media. They were lead to believe that it was so powerful, it was evil. We were told that it was just presumed that we were to stupid to see through things and that's why it was so easy for the media to manipulte us. Now me personally, I am naturally pretty cynical. That's just me. The way I am. I also see the wonderful job the media does. It keeps us informed of events around the world, makes people aware of issues, makes people care. Now of course the news can put its own spin on things, journalists can do that, but when an intelligent adult just looks at the cold hard facts, they are perfectly capable of reaching their own decision. We shouldn't be underestimated.
Now even though I love writing, I never wanted to be a journalist. I think journlists do a great job, and I read some of them, and they just have so much style and flair, and I do think yeah, that would be a wonderful job. It just wouldn't be for me though. I want to be creative, and I don't want to restricted, and in my opinion I think journalists get a tough time of it. People, like the ones from my media class think they are manipulating the truth, and sometimes just cruel with the information they give us, and how they present it. Lets for a second consider what makes someone want to be a journalist.....someone who enjoys to write, who has opinions on things that matter, and wants to share them with other people? They have to follow things that might not always interest them, or that might not be something they are passionate about, they still have to report on it though. That my friends is why it's called a job. We don't always get what we want. Journalists have people to answer to, they are paid for their work, and it has to be up to standard, and what people ask for. If I was a journalist, and someone had asked me to write an article similar to this for them, I would of had specific criteria to stick to, and it might not be something I totally agreed with, I could only put my own spin on it. Anyway, I just couldn't do that. Jounalism isn't for me. I do respect those that take it on as a career though. Not all journalists are good, but lets remember they aren't all bad either.
Now another element of the media that irritates me, and one that gets far more attention than it deserves, is that of, the wonderful celebrity. Now don't get me wrong I am as guilty as the next person, gazing at a magazine, and thinking, wow, how fat has Britney got? I guess they are the little pleasures that we all indulge in, from time to time. Something I have learnt about celebrity coverage is to never take it to seriously. Many people, especially from my generation and younger seem to think that the media is only about following the life of celebrities. Though this is becoming a larger and larger part of our papers and magazines, it is about something more than that, and therefore shouldn't be judged on the ridiculous statements that are made by celebrities. Now me personally, I do feel sorry for people that are followed about all the time, and basically stalked by people, to get information and pictures about them. That they and their families have to read awful things about themselves. Having said that, some people just plain ask for it, and in my opinion they deserve everything they get. You can't just switch it on and off. You can't porn yourself out to the media when you have a new film out, or new music single, or whatever else and then expect it to stop when you have finished with it. It doesn't work like that. It's like teasing people, and giving them insight when it suits you, and then just switiching it off when it suits you. Everyone is entitled to a private life. Of course they are. It would appear though that some celebrities are willing to sell their souls to get publicity for themselves, and then they complain when it gets to much. Well in my opinion, it's something you brought on yourself, you can't have it both ways, and I really don't want to listen to you bitch about it, when it's just seen you make millions of dollars from it. Some celebrities, who are extremely famous you rarely see in the papers, and they are fiercely protective about their private lives. Do you know why that is? Because their work is quality enough on it's own, and can speak for itself.