Significance of Mass Media on American Culture

Most Americans will agree that mass media has a great impact on our lives; aspects ranging from television, to newspapers, to the internet, we have all most likely been affected by some form of mass media in our lives. We may or may not realize it, but mass media is an important facet of the American culture as a whole, and is used in politics, sports, economics, educational environments, the workplace, advertising, and the entertainment industry just to name a few. One claim (or point) I want to make is that mass media is a significant aspect of the American culture. I believe this claim is justified because this is a big part of our everyday lives.

As you can see, the images shown here
are heavily depended upon by Americans
everyday.

            In Hiebert’s (2001) article entitled “The Growing Power of Mass Media”, he states “The effects of communication are many and diverse. They may be short range or long-run. They may be manifest or latent. They may be strong or weak. They may derive from any number of aspects of the communication content. They may be considered as psychological or political or economic or sociological. They may operate upon opinions, values, information levels, skills, taste, or overt behavior”. I fully agree with this statement and the fact that mass media has shaped modern American society. Today, we live in a society where we desire immediate action and rapid responses. The advanced technology and innovative features applied to mass media enables information to be revealed quicker, more effectively, and even more uniquely, which has an immense effect on how the ways, thoughts, and the culture of the United States has been established.

            Again, mass media assuredly is an important aspect of the culture of America. This country wouldn’t be as prosperous as it is now without mass media and its peculiar characteristics. In fact, without mass media, the U.S. would be boring in a sense. There are several other aspects that have a tremendous effect on American culture, such as religion, education, family, survival, music, entertainment, fashion, and financial stability. However, the mass media has aided in the success of the aspects listed, and is one of the factors that separates America from the rest of the world. 

Reference

Hiebert, R. (2001). The growing power of mass media. SCSU Journalism Department. Retrieved from http://www.southernct.edu/~seymour/cases/heibert.htm.