Sociology 200, Sec 201

The Second Paper

Sources of Socialization

Each and every day we receive information from our society about our society. This information, or culture comes from many different sources. We are taught, or socialized, to be members of our society by our family, in school, by our peer group and mass media. These four groups are known as agents of socialization. By it’s very nature society adapts and changes and so does the structure of and the influence of the four agents. Of the four agents, mass media has been the fastest changing and has grown most in its influence. We are, after all, living in the information age. At any given moment, we can access information on over 400 cable channels, newspapers and magazines by the dozens and millions of printed pages on the Internet. At no other time in the history of man have we had as many sources of information. This does bring up one very interesting question: Are the mass media sources providing accurate, unbiased information? Or is it possible that some of these purveyors of information are hyping up or perhaps even inventing their messages?

One of the most entertaining sources of “information” is the evening news. Of course, the actual news program is only half the entertainment. The other part of the “show” is the various teasers that serve as the advertisements for the “main event”. Syndicated columnist Dave Berry reported in one of his Sunday columns the best example of these teasers: “Brassieres of death… news at 6:00pm.” Teasers are those snippets of information that start with phrases like “Are Your children drinking contaminated milk at school,” “Watch our report tonight: Your health may depend on it”, or “our special report could save you thousands’. If the stories are so important why are the new stations withholding the information and endangering lives? The reason is simple. The stories are probably not going to save my life or anyone else’s life. They are a simply a time filler during a slow news day. These are simply a method of attracting the attention of the public so that they will watch that stations news show.

The topics presented on the typical news program fall into two basic categories: “real news” and the “pseudo-event” (Boorstin). The real news items are the days (note worthy) current events: murders, carjacking, newly discovered toxic dumpsites, governmental scandals, and so on. The real news also occasionally includes human-interest stories. For example, the television media recently gave substantial coverage to the man who drove his lawn tractor hundreds of miles to see his ailing brother. After first hundred miles you would think that one of the news vans would have offered him a ride. Even thought real news is derived from actual events, all of the real news topics are reported because of their entertainment value. Thus, a real event, such as a shoplifter injuring a guard while being detained may not be reported. On the other hand the news media would feast if something special happens. For example, if the shoplifter was a minority and he died while being detained. The story is even better if it is in a city with a history of bad racial relation. Of course, the news would not report that the suspect had attacked the guards, sending two of them to the hospital. The news media main concern is only to produce a hot the story, not to portray the truth.

Pseudo-events are the created new items. They are interviews with politicians, special reports (... that may save your life, tune in tonight for the complete story) and other events planed for the sole purpose of being reported and generating an audience. One of my favorite pseudo-events is the “Hall Of Shame”. Some hall of shame topics have been, city workers loafing, judges who speed, and even auto shops that overcharge. Wow, how enlightening! Pseudo-events are usually the stories that have the most outrageously ridiculous teasers.

So if the news media chooses which stories to air and makes up the rest so what real propose do they serve? I think Don Henley said it best in the song “Dirty Laundry”

"I make my living off the Evening News

Just give me something-something I can use

People love it when you lose,

They love dirty laundry”

The news business is after all a business. The goal of a business is to make a profit selling a product people need or want to buy. In selling their product the news media desensitizes the viewer. Each story must be more outrageous than the last to keep the publics attention.

“Well, I coulda been an actor, but I wound up here

I just have to look good, I don't have to be clear

Come and whisper in my ear

Give us dirty laundry”

At its best the news will give one part or one side of a story, but to believe that their version is the complete truth is native. For that matter, to blindly believe any one source of information is dangerous.

“We got the bubble-headed-bleach-blonde who

comes on at five

She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam

in her eye

It's interesting when people die-

Give us dirty laundry”

To the news producer, reporters and anchors the news is a product. Just like a used car salesman will polish up the rusted out ’76 pinto, the news media will add as much drama to story as possible.

“Can we film the operation?

Is the head dead yet?

You know, the boys in the newsroom got a

running bet

Get the widow on the set!

We need dirty laundry”

The news shows are entertainment. They are a packaged product made to sell commercials. They use tragedies to make money. Why else would a cameraman be taking pictures of children running from a school shooting instead of helping them to safety? It was interesting at the Collibine shooting that the press said they would respect the privacy of the children only after the children pelted the camera people with rocks.

“You don't really need to find out what's going on

You don't really want to know just how far it's gone

Just leave well enough love

Eat your dirty laundry”

“We can do "The Innuendo"

We can dance and sing

When it's said and done we haven't told you a thing

We all know that Crap is King

Give us dirty laundry!”

“You don't really need to find out what's going on

You don't really want to know just how far it's gone

Just leave well enough love

Eat your dirty laundry”

The real problem with the news media is that there are people who believe that the news shows portray reality. A growing part of our society depends on the television for most if not all of their knowledge. It is this segment of society that can be most easily manipulated. Every person who stored up five hundred gallons of water for Y2k when asked why will answer “the news said to.” It is blind adherence to apparent authority that will allow those in power to gain more and more control. I say fight back: Read A Book! Shape your mind and in the process create a more informed and enlightened society!

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