Social Responsibility in the Media

Social Responsibility in the Media

Name

HUM/176

Barbara H. Foyil, Ph.D.

March 15, 2014

Social Responsibility in the Media

        I believe information media does have a certain amount of social responsibility.  Their first responsibility is to make sure the information they are publishing is accurate.  The media has the ability to either do great harm or be a very helping hand, so not damaging someone or something’s reputation with false information is paramount.  However accidents do happen on occasion especially in the fast-paced environment we live in, but when they do make a mistake the media outlets should take responsibility for it, and make a point of getting the correct information to their followers as quickly as possible.  I think it is great when an information media source comes out and says, ‘hey we made a mistake, but here is the correct information.’  To me that is much better than letting the error stand.  

Second is to be as unbiased as possible.  Now having said that there will always be left and right views when it comes to politics, and I think that is totally acceptable.  Each side will always need a place to talk about, and report the issues that are important to them.  The unbiased part comes in by reporting honestly the good and the bad.  No issue has only good parts the same as no issue has only bad parts, and I think part of being socially responsible is to report on both parts.  By reporting on both the good and the bad of an issue it would give viewers a better perspective to make informed opinions and decisions.