Introduction
Worldviews, attitudes, positionality, and biases are all elements that shape our identities and the way we interact with the world around us. Previous studies show the influence of media bias on individual and social comprehension of news events (Gutsche Jr, 2022).
Since the mass media can be considered the primary source of information on politics for citizens, the bias associated with them can affect the public’s political beliefs and the parties’ attitudes, and even change behavior during voting. In addition, exposure to biased information can negatively affect society, including polarization of groups, intolerance of others, and political segregation. It can also affect collective decision-making (Tully et al., 2020).
Discussion
The consequences of selective exposure theory reinforce the seriousness of impartial news coverage: scientists have long noted that people tend to consume information that matches their worldview and avoid information that might challenge these beliefs. The opinion is confirmed by choosing only auxiliary input, and there is no need to overestimate existing positions. Thus, an unpleasant feeling of cognitive dissonance can be avoided. In this essay, I will self-reflect on these elements to understand how they impact my media consumption.
Worldviews refer to an individual’s perception of reality and beliefs about the world, which shape their actions and attitudes. My upbringing, education, experiences, and cultural background influence my worldview. I am a humanist, as I believe in the intrinsic value of human beings and their potential to make positive changes in the world. I also believe in equality, democracy, and the power of education and knowledge.
Attitudes are feelings, values, and beliefs about a particular subject. My attitudes are primarily influenced by my worldview, as I approach issues with a critical and open-minded perspective, seeking to understand different perspectives and looking for solutions that benefit the most significant number of people. For example, my humanist worldview drives my support for equal rights, access to education, and protection of the environment.
Positionality refers to the intersection of power and social structures that shape an individual’s identity. My identities have shaped my experiences and perspectives, and I often face discrimination and prejudice daily. On the other hand, I also occupy a position of privilege in other areas, such as my education and socioeconomic status. My positionality is fluid and can change depending on the context and situation. I must be aware of these dynamics and how they impact my interactions with others.
Biases are preconceived notions or attitudes that influence our perceptions and decisions. My worldview and attitudes have shaped many of my biases, such as my belief in equality and support for marginalized communities. However, I also have unconscious biases that I must actively work on challenging, such as my biases against certain cultures or belief systems. I need to acknowledge and critically examine these biases to avoid perpetuating harmful attitudes and approach issues with a more equitable and open-minded perspective.
Bias in the media manifests itself in different ways, for example, depending on the topic under consideration and in what form, and it is not always easy to identify. As a result, news consumers often interact with the media in a biased way, but they do not know about it and do not understand media bias (Tully et al., 2020).
To address this problem, disseminating information about the existence and nature of mass media can be an important way to raise awareness of media bias and promote informed and meaningful news consumption (Gutsche Jr, 2022). For example, viewing helps raise awareness of media bias and create a more balanced perception of news by alerting people to possible biases, highlighting individual cases of discrimination, or making it easier to compare content.
Regarding media consumption, my worldviews and attitudes significantly impact the types of media I consume and how I interpret it. As a humanist, I seek media sources that align with my values, such as news outlets that prioritize in-depth reporting and unbiased perspectives. I also consume media from diverse perspectives to challenge my biases and broaden my understanding of the world.
However, my media consumption does not always reflect my worldviews and attitudes. For example, I may consume media that perpetuate harmful attitudes or reinforce my biases, despite my best efforts to seek more equitable and diverse perspectives. This highlights the importance of critically examining the media I consume and being aware of how it shapes my perceptions and beliefs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our worldviews, attitudes, positionality, and biases significantly shape our identities and how we interact with the world. In today’s world, where digitization has made people’s lives extremely easy, one must be careful not to abuse dependence on this medium. Consumers should not blindly rely on media sources and use their rationale before forming an opinion (Gutsche Jr, 2022). Bias leads to stereotypes that we can observe how some things are reflected in the news. By critically self-reflecting on these elements, we can better understand how they influence media consumption and work on challenging and broadening our perspectives.
References
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Cummings, J. N., Butler, B., & Kraut, R. (2014). The quality of online social relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45(7), 103–108.
Gutsche Jr, R. E. (2022). Cultures of Digital Architectures: Power and Positionalities in the Backend of Online Journalism Production. Journal of Communication Inquiry. Web.
Tully, M., Vraga, E. K., & Smithson, A. B. (2020). News media literacy, perceptions of bias, and interpretation of news. Journalism, 21(2), 209-226. Web.