Seeing is Not Believing: Media Manipulation

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Consumption of any form of media is an integral part of our lives. The digitization of our world today is proof of significance- stating how every aspect of our daily lives is now monitored or controlled by its usage. Media manipulation is a phenomenon that has been present for many years, and it continues to be a major concern in modern society. Media manipulation refers to the deliberate use of mass media to influence people's opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. The manipulation of media can occur in various forms such as propaganda, misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. The purpose of this blog is to explore the different types of media manipulation, their effects, and the measures that can be taken to combat media manipulation.


Taking about media as a streaming platform and discussing the prevalence of television shows and movies, we can see how the widespread availability of media services that people are often exposed to influences their thoughts and behavior. While some shows and movies can be informative and educational, others can have negative impacts on an individual's mind and thoughts. The variety and range of content they consume promote harmful stereotypes. Many shows and movies rely on archetypes and stereotypes to create their characters, and these depictions can perpetuate negative views of different groups (Williams, 2016). For example, shows and movies can reinforce gender roles or promote racial stereotypes, which can lead to prejudice and discrimination.  Since we live in a constantly developing world- our perception of ourselves and the understanding of people around us is everchanging.


Another way consuming these media services, like movies and series, negatively impacts us is by glorifying the idea of aggression, violence, abuse and mental disorder. The idea of being the “main character” or the protagonist is etched into us, the perception of being unique and different from others influences us to pick up the behaviourisms and personality traits of the characters in the show. The unrealistic idealization causes the viewer to believe that violence is an acceptable way to solve problems, and this can lead to aggressive behavior or a lack of empathy towards others. In addition to this, it portrays an unhealthy life- promoting risky and dangerous behaviors by normalizing underage drinking and drug abuse (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). 


Moreover, talking about mental health in any setting can be intimidating: it’s about the wounds you can’t see, and the complex neurological wiring you can’t quite understand. So, when depictions of mental illness are finally shown centre stage in pop culture, it can be a relief to those who suffer silently knowing they are not alone in their feelings but this seems to rarely be the case. All the media depictions of mental illnesses are done for cinematic purposes and hence are false portrayals which can cause serious damage and reinforce ideologies that are not correct. It only increases the stigmas attached to the issues faced by individuals due to their poor grasp of reality (Northwestern Medicine Staff & Northwestern Medicine, 2017). However, the media may also be an important ally in challenging public prejudices, initiating public debate, and projecting positive, human-interest stories about people who live with mental illness. Media lobbying and press liaison should take on a central role for mental health professionals, not only as a way of speaking out for patients who may not be able to speak out for themselves but as a means of improving public education and awareness (Stuart, 2006).


Conferring about the non-streaming media services one of the most common forms of media manipulation is propaganda. Propaganda is a form of communication that is used to influence people's opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. Propaganda can be found in various forms such as advertisements, political campaigns, and news media. A study conducted by Kiousis, McCombs, and Wu (2015) found that propaganda is often used by politicians to sway public opinion in their favor. Propaganda can be misleading, biased, and one-sided, and it can have a significant impact on people's opinions and behaviors.


Another form of media manipulation is misinformation. Misinformation refers to the spread of false or inaccurate information through mass media. Misinformation can be intentional or unintentional, and it can significantly impact people's perceptions of reality. A study conducted by Lewandowsky, Ecker, and Cook (2017) found that misinformation can be particularly dangerous when it comes to issues such as climate change and vaccination. Misinformation can lead people to make decisions not based on factual information, which can have serious consequences.


Disinformation is another form of media manipulation that is similar to misinformation but is intentionally spread with the aim of causing harm. Disinformation can be used to spread false rumors, incite violence, or undermine political opponents. A study conducted by Wardle and Derakhshan (2017) found that disinformation is often used by authoritarian regimes to control public opinion and suppress dissent. Disinformation can be particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly through social media and other online platforms.


Fake news is a relatively new form of media manipulation that has gained popularity in recent years. Fake news refers to false information that is deliberately spread through mass media, particularly social media. Fake news can be used to mislead people, incite violence, or undermine political opponents. A study conducted by Allcott and Gentzkow (2017) found that fake news can have a significant impact on people's opinions and behaviors, particularly during elections.


The effects of media manipulation can be significant. Media manipulation can lead people to make decisions not based on factual information, which can have serious consequences. For example, media manipulation can lead people to vote for politicians who do not have their best interests at heart or to make decisions that are harmful to their health or well-being.


In conclusion, media manipulation is a phenomenon that has been present for many years, and it continues to be a major concern in modern society. To combat this, it is important to promote media literacy. Media literacy refers to the ability to analyze and evaluate media messages critically. By promoting media literacy, people can learn to identify propaganda, misinformation, disinformation, and fake news and make informed decisions based on factual information. Additionally, it is important to hold media outlets accountable for their reporting. This can be done through fact-checking and by promoting transparency in media reporting. With these measures in place, we can reduce the impact of media manipulation and make informed decisions based on factual information.



About this Author:


Aarchi Mandal is born and brought up in Mumbai and has loved and embraced the shore with all her heart. She believes in always being in touch with one’s inner self through the joy of little things like cafes, books and comfort shows. Currently pursuing Psychology as her major from SDSOS, she hopes to help and cheer those around her through her writing and provide insight through her writing. Her spontaneity and compassion drive her to achieve her objectives and has a strong desire to inspire those around her. 


Subhead of PsyCreative Column, SDSOS.


Ria Mehta is an amature writer, vocalist, performing artist, voice actor, model, avid gymmer and swimmer. She enjoys socializing and learning and debating about controversial things gives her a kick. With her words, she hopes to bring in change and awareness while also keeping her writings entertaining. 


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