MASS MEDIA SIG
You and your fellow experts in modern mass media and popular culture have been hired to deliver a presentation to the Council on the Quality of Life in Ventura. Your audience, in particular, is concerned with the question of whether the rise of a culture dominated by media in the form of pop music, television, and the Internet are healthy or unhealthy for members of the county of Ventura. Specifically, we are concerned about the threats and benefits mass media poses to young people. We have, with alarm, noted the following statistics about the media:
The Media Picture in Numbers:
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In 1970, 35% of homes had more than one TV set; 6% of sixth-graders had a TV in their bedrooms. In 1999, 88% of homes had more than one TV set; 77% of sixth-graders had a TV in their rooms.
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The average American child grows up in a home with 3 TVs, 3 tape players, 3 radios, 2 VCRs, 2 CD players, 1 video game player and 1 computer.
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The TV is usually on during meals in 58% of homes with children.
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Two-thirds of children 8 and older have a TV in their bedrooms. One out of five has a computer there as well.
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Children ages 8-13 spend more time with media than those in any other age group: 6 hours a day.
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In a typical week, children spend an average of more than 19 hours watching TV, more than 10 hours listening to music, more than 5 hours reading for pleasure, about 2 hours using computers for fun, and more than 2 hours playing video games.
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On a typical day, one out of every four boys will play an action or combat game like "Doom" or "Duke Nukem."
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85% of children are able to buy M-rated video games and recordings labeled for explicit content. Fewer than 17% of music and game store clerks ask children their age.
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Slightly more than half of movie theaters enforce the Motion Picture Assn. of America restrictions that children under age 17 must be accompanied by an adult to see R-rated movies; 48% ask children their age; 45% sell tickets to underage children unaccompanied by adults.
(Sources: Federal Trade Commission Survey May-July, 2000 and Kids & Media, a Kaiser Family Foundation Report, 1999)
We are in particular concerned about the threats and benefits mass media poses to the young people of Ventura. There has been considerable controversy in the recent past whether contemporary music, movies, and the rise of the Internet have contributed to the increase in violence, drug abuse, and many other vices in society. First of all, it would be a great idea to review the larger history of communications. Some say mass media has led to a modern day enslavement of individuals more insidious and effective than anything practiced by the totalitarian governments of the 20th century. We would like one member of your group to take the position that mass media is good and one that it is bad. Others claim images of women are creating false and unrealistic expectations for the female body which helps bring about a host of problems with a "fountain of youth" syndrome. They point to low self-esteem and various eating disorders as caused partially by the media. Is this true? Is it so simple? Please have someone cover this subject. Conversely, others assert that the rise of new communications technologies will lead to a new freedom to learn and express oneself hitherto unknown to mankind. We are on our way to a brighter happier future. Please present this point of view to us with evidence to back up your assertions.
The Council on the Quality of Life in Ventura, comprised of individuals who are not experts in the mass media and its influences, badly needs your more information about these complex issues before it makes any recommendations. The Council will rely heavily on you and your group's presentation to provide us with the information and advice necessary to do advise the community. The wisdom of our decision will rest in large part on the quality of information we receive from you.
Good luck! We await eagerly the presentation of your SIG.
Very Truly Yours,
Council on the Quality of Life in Ventura
P.S. Be sure to read this last reminder as you sit down in your groups to start this project!