We grew up getting more and more addicted to media, from watching TV an hour a day to being on your phone 24×7. We started relying on media for entertainment, knowledge, etc thus forming our opinions and beliefs. At first print media like newspapers, and electronic media like TVs, radios were just a source of news and entertainment. Moreover, it was trustworthy, legitimate and progressive; it really helped people become aware and informed. After the emergence of media, there was a rise in the literacy rate. Media provides information about the world and the motivation to conquer it. Media leads towards development of individuals and the world in general.
But now it has become a big platform for advertising. Along with technological advancements, mass communication advanced as well, from newspaper to radio, from radio to TV and now from TV to social media. All the content that comes on TV is advertised on social media and vice versa. Social media is one of the most connective media. The emergence of internet has provided easy access to all kinds of information about the world and to connect with people of all kinds from every corner of the world. All companies or brands, no matter how big or small, use social media to advertise their products, services, etc. It has become very difficult to keep your company or brand trending and popular. Due to this heavy consumption of content, the bar for entertaining social media addicts is set high. Quality over quantity is the only effective brand strategy to be followed. Keeping your content short and sweet will catch the attention of people.
This has also created a smarter audience, where people have become better judges of good content. Although, we spend most of our time being online and forget about the real world, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc have brought a lot of people together. We feel a sense of community and connect with the people we meet on these platforms who consume the same content as you. This has created a positive influence on people as they are getting more and more aware. Social media has inspired a generation of people to make the world a better place. Over the years media has been negatively influenced by selfish leaders who become rich and powerful by oppressing the poor and powerless. Politicians, dictators, governors, rulers, all have used media to sway public opinion. These people are experts in manoeuvring propaganda by entrenching ideas, beliefs in the society that will manipulate the public in their favour. Therefore, after decades of suffering under autocrats, it is relieving to see so many rebellious people stand up against these oppressors. Various attempts have been made to criticize governments, politicians in the form of memes, music, edutainment videos, jokes, etc.
Talent and creativity is being showcased for the world to see and that too in the right way. If we create more good quality content which has a positive impact on the society, then we will able to trash the negativity that exists on the internet as well as in the real world. Before the internet era, if you wanted to support a cause, you had to physically go and offer your support. Now-a-days, you can sit at home and tweet your opinion, post it on your Instagram story, or on your Facebook status. There are progressive companies in the entertainment industry that create content that support a cause; to create awareness and oppose the system and bring about change. Media offers people to connect with the world. If you truly want your voice to reach other people then you have to join the race and put yourself out there. Upload good content and it will be appreciated by people. If you want your voice to be heard then reach a status and reputation where people want to listen to what you have to say.
– Anukul Thete
Sir J.P. High School 