While Mass Media has made the truth subjective. There are media outlets that do present an unbiased view. For example, FACT-CHECKING WEBSITES like Snopes and PolitiFact do present facts to the audiences.
MEDIA LITERACY can help people to examine the mass media’s role. This does not mean that people distrust all forms of media platforms but the aim is to think in a critical manner about the forces that shape the media and people’s relationships with media. Although media news outlets may be covering the same story, the way in which the story is delivered varies as the media outlet tries to target different segments of society. In this scenario, it is important to verify the authorship of a news article. As the audience is the consumer of mass media it is up to them to consider the constructed nature of media realities. It is important to look at the news on current affairs from a variety of perspectives.
In some situations, governments can resort to CENSORSHIP with a view to ensure social solidarity. Mass media is getting more violent and inappropriate, especially for younger audiences. The need to prevent children from watching content that can lead to negative outcomes is relevant. In such circumstances, censorship becomes necessary and desirable. For example, censorship of movies is practised around the world by placing age restrictions on movies. Movie certifications like PG-13, NC-16 and R-21 help in preventing children from watching content that is explicit and excessively violent. Thus, the need for censorship becomes justifiable in the case of children because their minds are naive and impressionable.
