TVR Journal Responses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

TVR Journal Responses - Essay Example For example, images in the Western media focused on the dazzling fireworks in the sky through carefully targeted bombing raids carried out by the US air force, while carefully editing out most images of civilians injured in the war. Dissenting opinions offered against the Iraq war were presented sparingly in the media during the initial stages of the war, since it became â€Å"unpatriotic† to discuss the negative aspects of the war. Public relations firms work to shape and influence public opinion and such firms were working on behalf of the Bush Presidency, carefully maintaining a pulse on public opinion, so that only those images favoring the Governmental view of the Iraq war appeared in the media. As opposed to this, media representation in the rest of the world condemned the American position and reported on civilian casualties, presenting a different picture altogether. Selective reporting, biased reporting or the manner in which certain issues are highlighted while others are glossed over can elevate or diminish the significance of an issue in the mind of the public. The media is therefore a very powerful tool for shaping public opinion. The advent of television was a landmark in the development of the media because it was able to transmit visual images as well as audio and written images. With the development of better technology, television programs have become more sophisticated. There are programs to suit every kind of taste and need, from news programs to movies to sports and cooking shows, shows for children, game shows and soap operas, all of which compete fiercely to grab high viewer ratings so that they can become more profitable with increased advertising. Corporate ownership of TV networks in America has created a trend where the integrity of journalistic reporting has been compromised. Since corporate entities seek to enhance their profits, they are not unduly concerned about the content of