"Media and Culture"

Mass Media Student Starter Pack: Journal/Planner, Pen, and any book related to Journalism/Mass Media.
(Photo via Instagram)

I was at SM San Lazaro yesterday with my siblings, and it so happened that they're going to National Book Store to browse and buy books. Of course, I browsed as well, up to the point where I found this book entitled "Media and Culture: Global Homogeneity and Local Identity" by Rachel E. Khan from the Asian Congress for Media and Communication (ACMC). I do like reading books, but this one's different. This caught my attention because of three things:

First, it's basically about media.

Yes, we do all know that media is very powerful and is accessible most of the time. One obvious example is the internet through social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and of course Google+. One like can catch one's attention; one share can change one's perspective or point of view; and one post can affect one's reputation. Media acts as some kind of syringe that injects propaganda directly into our minds.

Second, it focuses on trends.

The world has become a global village due to technology. We get to eat the same food, watch the same shows on television, read the same fiction books, learn about the latest fashion trends, we realize that the media disseminates cultural trends. The idea of having trends include processes of intellectual and aesthetic developments and the products of doing intellectual and artistic activities. It's similar to culture.

And lastly, Journalism.

"In the postmodern world of today, definitions and concepts have exceeded their conventional connotations and agendas. Journalism, media, and news reporting are no exceptions. With the rapid development in communication and the personalization of these instruments through digital cameras, cell phones, blogs, and YouTube, new windows of opportunity have opened in the news-making process."

In our generation today, with the development in communication, "citizen journalism" exists. Yes, we can consider ourselves as citizen journalists— people from the audience who were only recipients of the news. The role of citizen journalism is essential in reporting of all kinds of issues, such as politics, human rights, and the environment. There are cases wherein authorities cover up the real situation. But thanks to media and citizen journalism, the public has a more practical view on what's happening.

Well, it looks like I'll be studying media this summer. Bye! Take care and God bless ☺