Essay About Entertainment Media And American People

Media Violence Etc.
Essay title: Media Violence Etc.
Does the entertainment media reflect the standards of the
American people, or does the entertainment media define
the standards of the American people? This question is
difficult to answer because of the complex interaction
between American culture and the entertainment industry.
To some extent, the entertainment media does gets
feedback on what viewers want to see in the form of
Nielson ratings and box office returns. But the simple fact
remains that the content produced and delivered by way of
television, the film industry, and the major music labels are
controlled by a relatively small group of individuals.
Entertainment media does not reflect standards of
American people. Instead, it defines what the people want.
The mass media is controlled by a selected group of people
who decide what shows get aired, and what the content of
those shows should be. The television ratings system and
box office returns provide some feedback, but the only real
concern is over what is the most profitable. One major
concern with the content of media is the effect it has on
very young children. Disney movies have taken quite a
beating over the years because of stereotypes they “force”
into childrens minds. Stereotypes in “The Little Mermaid”
are a good example of this. Ariel, the star/role model in the
movie, plays the part of a helpless, blundering female. As
soon as she was left on her own, she immediately got
herself into trouble. There was always a male needing to
protect