Mass Media?

Sociologically, in what ways can the Mass Media be considered of as a Social Institution? Please Explain your certain answer.

Mass Media?
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Reply:Well, a social institution is anything that influences or governs society. Consequently, militaristic(u.s.army), economic(u.s. chamber of commerce),political(green party),racial(National association for the advancement of colored people) are all examples of social institutions. Because they affect or govern aspects of society. Not all of society but aspects.


As for the mass media, economically it is the few media conglomerates who own all the cable,network,internet,newspaper,movie, and other media outlets. This makes them a very consolidated social institution. Meaning, the effect they have on society is usually one dimensional. If I may add, the reason why the government broke up economic trusts like many of the media firms is because the social effect they can have is devastating. If you look at the world media, alot of society has no voice within it. This is because this institution is not diverse in number ,with only a few corporations as memebers. This institution is governed by money primarily,so what sells often maintains a presence while what may be needed is disregarded if it does not sell. This is because the members of this institution that are not business,meaning the governments(france2 and france3, PBS, BBC, etc),are not fully committed to providing alternative programming,especially the united states government.(they tried to shut down PBS).


So, with a small membership, a global audience, and a primarily capitalistic programming motive. They reach out to the society of the world through, emails(yahoo),search engine(google),newspapers(tribune),cable... and etc. They influence the worlds society. Some forms allow for the society to have a greater say (newspaper editorials,blogs, email) BUT the mass media spends more time telling people what to think than giving them a chance to think for themsleves with all the facts on the table.