What is the Relationship between the Social Definition of Deviance and the Medias Role in the Dissemination of Popular Culture

What is the Relationship between the Social Definition of Deviance and the Medias Role in the Dissemination of Popular Culture News reporting is one of the principal ways in which a society learns about itself. The main function of news media is to offer mass audience with information and account of events that occur in the world. Nevertheless, another less perceptible function is to act as an instrument of social control.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on What is the Relationship between the Social Definition of Deviance and the Media’s Role in the Dissemination of Popular Culture? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The media plays a significant role in defining deviance and inflicting social controls, since it is the main player in interpreting public opinions and views. In this certain role, it acts as a type of deviance-defining elite that take a main part in constructing visions of stability, order and change and manipulating the control practices that agree with these visions. News media also stipulate what constitutes deviance. In the course of the regular practice of reporting news, media stations ideologically strengthen relations of ruling, sustaining the hegemonic power construction of the society wherein they are entrenched. The media also benefits the voices of those in legitimate groups such as politicians over those of deviant players. The power and social standing of sources determines their credibility, since reporters not only depend upon their objective construes, but also other sources when making news stories. News media deal with visualizing and, thus, defining deviant actions for their audience. In the course, the news media as well reproduce sound notions of community consensus and social order. Besides, the focus on deviance builds an entertainment approach that pacifies the business interests of news media groups. The television news industry, aware of its function in commercial entertainment, centers on heavily sensational, dramatic and titillating descriptions to draw and sustain a broad viewing audience. As Karl Max denotes, news media dictates to masses through creating false consciousness in the minds of the viewers. News media are among the groups that meet the criteria of what Max Weber calls the disenchantment of the contemporary world. Apparently, the role of news media in both distributing and representing public opinion and action is most evident when reporting on deviance, particularly on sub cultural youth deviance.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The predominance of television news stories that underline black youths and violence shows how news media institutions assist in shaping the process of choosing, defining and circulating social problems to the public. American films like Juice and Fresh receive national attention because they highlight the common view that crime and violence characterize the lives of African-Americans. The media pr omotes deviant behaviors by portraying black youths as pioneers of crime, violence and moral decay, since even innocent young black youths tend to adopt these behaviors so that they can live to societal expectations. Popular media has a valuable role in disseminating different cultures. It also leads to globalization, since much information concerning how people live emanates from representations of those groups in popular media. As Emile Durkheim explains, social facts originate from a prolonged interaction with others, mass media and academic education. Hence, whether such representations appear negative or positive, they have key social, political and cultural inferences. Most people obtain information about crime and the criminal justice structure from the news and entertainment media. We all interact with mass media or popular culture depending on aspects such as our social setting, opportunities, needs and interests for exposure. Yet, we do not approach the experiences of mass media/popular culture as void boxes. We all interact with the media despite our variations in age, race, ethnicity and gender. In conclusion, the media plays a significant role in defining deviance and inflicting social controls, since it is a main player in interpreting public opinions and views. Moreover, popular media has a valuable role in disseminating different cultures, since much information concerning how people live emanates from representations of those groups in popular media.