An Editorial Essay
The most powerful tool that an individual can have to ensure quick solution of a problem is information. All our daily undertakings that contribute to the overall social, political, and economic development at local, national, and international levels depend on how well we are informed of the emerging issues (Stadler, Para. 2). Thus, media houses have a key role in promoting development, and should be given necessary freedom to deliver their services effectively.
However, if control is not given over the operation of the media houses, then their intended purpose may be abused. This has often created conflicts in some countries. In the article entitled “School Discipline Coverage in Australian Newspapers: Impacts on Public Perceptions, Educational Decisions and Policy”, Fields examines the roles that media plays in shaping a country.
As Fields (4) argues, it is indeed true that much of the information that an individual possesses and was not given in school is obtained from the media houses. We get the information from the newspapers, radios, and television. Presently, there is a variety of online media outlets.
In as much as we might challenge media outlets for exaggerating or giving false information, the public also needs to take an initiative of establishing validity of the statement(s) that come out of the outlets. Quite often, we have seen media houses withdrawing certain statements.
This usually follows a suit by an informed individual who was either victimized by such a statement, or just acting in a neutral capacity to prevent possible consequences of the statement. Being a business organization, a media house may rush into an issue prematurely to capture much audience. While this is contrary to the professional ethics, the public has to understand such cases and make informed judgments.
The issue of discipline among students in school should be a point of concern for every educational stakeholder. Teachers and parents are the key players in ensuring that students are shaped into the right individuals in the society. In addition, culture that is developed in the society will help shape the behavior of the students (Stadler, Para. 10).
There are programmes in the media houses that can influence behavior of students positively or negatively. Here, parents and teachers are better placed to identify and let the student access programmes that are beneficial to them.
Besides, the article portrays media presenters as having little or no knowledge at all in Statistics. However, owing to the nature of the career that could land an individual into the field of journalism, incorporating deep study of statistical procedures would simply lower the overall quality of the journalism.
Usually, figures that they report alongside their implication to the public should come straight from the source of such information. For instance, the interpretation of the figures concerning population of a country should be done by the officials from the National Bureau of Statistics or any other agency charged with the responsibility.
An integrated system should then be adopted that expands coverage of the media sector (Center for Democracy and Governance, Para. 7). Moreover, it should be noted that, while informing the public, estimates and approximation used by the media are sufficient. Exact figures need to be used by the implementers. Some criticisms about the figures given by media houses are often misguided. However, the critiques given by Berliner and Builder in Fields’s article may not have a firm basis.
Public schools are known to be less expensive compared to private schools; thus, most students can afford attending such schools, causing congestion. To make the matters worse, availability of limited resources does lead to poor performance in the public schools. If the media reports the same, then it is accused of falsifying information to serve the interest of some eminent persons in the country.
The public should be aware of the role of the media, who will be just a whistleblower. Before taking any further steps, more information needs to be sought in order to build confidence in the action. The public need to identify the different items contained in the news broadcasts, while an analyst’s opinion should not be considered as the truth.
Works Cited
Center for Democracy and Governance. “The role of media in democracy: A strategic approach.” Center for Democracy and Governance. Washington, D.C: Technical Publication Series. 1999. Web.
Fields, Barry. School Discipline Coverage in Australian Newspaper: Impact on Public Perceptions, Educational Decisions, and Policy. Toowoomba: University of Southern Queensland, Australia. N.d. Web.
Stadler, Jane. “Role of the Mass Media in Education and Poverty Eradication.” Role of the Mass Media in Education and Poverty Eradication. Queensland: University of Queensland. N.d. Web.