MEDIA

Media is like a pebble that is thrown into a dam – creating ripples that are constant from the point of origin to the peripheries of the dam, thus affecting the whole nature of the dam. In everyday life, Media influences people’s livelihoods by dictating what people hear, read and watch – therefore structure the behavioral social order, trends or the environment that they live in. There are many influences within the media structures that manipulate, inspire and control our societal influence.

Media uses a number of tools that create an impression to the public. These tools are radio, television, cinema, and all the print mediums (Newpapers, Magazines & Books) and the internet. Global information networks depend primarily on various mediums to make the world’s communication process work in accordance to the universal code of coherent comprehension to all different cultures in the world. The ‘ripple effect’ shows that media is no longer a restricted tool but, a proletarian tool around the world that keeps the world on its feet.

People’s lives are affected by the messages that are transmitted through these mediums as they sometimes contain current affairs which are disturbing, offensive and downright cruel to a certain degree. These news come in all forms and from anywhere in the continent, relating from crime, wars, rape, fraud, political elections, racism, natural disasters and diseases that affect the world‘s harmonious social order. The perceptions that people have on other nations - their neighbours in the world. Ultimately creating awareness on solidarity and philanthropic relations between diverse cultures and nations. Leading to a universal call to aid poverty stricken regions of the world - predominantly African regions.

Media influences various people’s lives on a variety of topics that shape and make individuals. As an observer and an introvert, with somewhat, sparks of extrovert tendencies - I document events that later transform into prose and form an opinion that is observed from my point of view all based on media - transient tangible and intangible emotive moments.

Media is a tool of propaganda that helps to transform the world – producing stalwart political leaders, political villains and brings help to beggars, unveiling robbers. Media aids nations to overthrow governments and rebuild broken bridges between countries. Media liberates; as many wars of words were fought through the media and not the battle-fields. Media is like rain with dark clouds, flickering and thundering with roaring sounds, visions and liberating ink, assuring its spectators, a promising bright sunshine, at the end of the storm. Media is FUN!

By Linda Sakazi Thwala