Media being the fourth pillar of the state is considered vital for maintaining social, economic, and political stability of the country. It has a powerful effect on the people. Sociology sees media through one of its major perspective, structural functionalism, and classifies media’s functions into two categories. Its manifest function is to inform, educate and entertain society. Its latent functions include grooming of personal communication skills, individuality growth etc. The dysfunction of media is a rejection of performing its manifest functions. Any negative influence on public is its dysfunction. Psychological traumas caused by media could therefore, be labeled as dysfunction of media.
Media psychology involves the study of media effects and particularly sensory and cognitive processes. It might be the formation, maintenance or change of individual and group stereotypes or it may be on-camera and off-camera diversity and its effects on audiences, media stories and media perspectives.
Negative influences of media are spreading like a tumor in our society because media is becoming the backbone of stable, advanced and modernized society. We are a victim of it. It has penetrated into our souls and molding our behavior. We are willing to sit before television in leisure time rather sharing our emotions and feelings with dear ones. This in turn has weakened our bond with our beloved ones and has influenced our attitude, outlook and overall perspective.
Serious health issues are rising just because of over exposure to media. Serious mental health issues are being observed through the evil content delivered by media. Attention spans are decreasing because of exposure to excessively stimulating and fast-paced media. Individual as well as communal life of all and sundry is on the perimeter of demise.
When two children saw the video of Saddam Hussain’s hanging. They took it as a harmless activity and both performed it over themselves which resulted in the death of one innocent life. It shows just how powerful media can be in affecting people, especially children. News provided through media has a strong influence on us. “The ordinary public is a puppet of worthless news and media. It can change opinions because it has direct access to the people.
Every person is different and thus does not have the same potential to absorb the content provided by different programs on television. Hence, it becomes necessary for the media houses that they provide their content with responsibility and do not dramatize it.
Media must perform its role in the development of a nation. Although everybody has a right to speak but with the power of freedom comes a responsibility. Media must use this responsibility more wisely.