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Lauren Adams
Kinlea Hensel
English IV
14 April 2016
Journalism Influences on Society
The ideas and opinions of our American culture is changing through numerous types of
media. Journalism plays a huge part in our lives even though we may not realize it. Present-day
journalism depends on our society as an audience on the different stories to report. Teenagers
tend to be the ones most affected by the media. Journalism influences our society due to the
advances of technology and it causes positive and negative affects to our American culture.
Journalism causes diverse viewpoints and results in changes to the way our government
functions. According to Brown, the public relies on the press and their beliefs are exposed and
are shortly disclosed to our elected officials attention (Brown). If those people that are in power
paid enough attention to our ideas and opinions after some events that have occurred, change
could occur to our society for the good. This type of mass communication can aid our societys
understanding of what is truly happening around us. Journalists observe our political system,
document the essential information, organize it into an article and distribute it out to the public to
give them a better understanding what is happening (Brown). Having an exceptional
understanding of current events can allow for even more accurate feedback.
Journalism still has its ways of influencing people by creating a picture perfect person.
Teenagers buy what they witness from the media, follow what their favorite celebrities advertise,
and perceive what is acceptable in our modern society (Mughal). The constant flow of
information and advertising produces a type of pressure to look a certain way or having a need to

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own certain things to be perfect. This also exposes violence and can affect children's personality
and what they perceive of the outside world. Our children that are beginning to grow and
develop their personality and ideas could become hostile or lose a sense of distinction between
reality and fiction (Mughal). The display of violence of any kind from either movies, television
shows, or magazines can influence our next generations actions.
About fifty years ago in our own nation, people decided to stand up for American soldiers
overseas after witnessing the horrors of war in Vietnam through the media. As the war became
uglier on screen, its public support also declined significantly (Rohn). This led to multiple
protests against the government and benefitted publishing companies by receiving a huge profit
out of the stories. Journalism still has a way of informing people of relevant issues. Informing
our society about their rights, moral, social and religious obligations is quite a valuable
objective to the publishing companies (Mughal). A well educated society could lead to a positive
future ahead for Americans.
The influences of journalism on our society increases as technology advances.
Revealing news stories from all over the world can lead to positive outcomes to our
communities. Although journalism can leave an unfavorable mark on young adults by
advertising picture perfect people. The media will forever be in our lives as years progress
whether we like it or not.

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Works Cited
Brown, Ruth. "How Journalism Play Its Role in the Society." Vizthink. Vizthink, 2 Dec. 2015.
Web. 16 Mar. 2016.
Mughal, M. A. "Mass Media and Its Influence on Society." Think Research Expose RSS. Think
Research Expose, 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.
Rohn, Alan. "Media Role in The Vietnam War." The Vietnam War. The Vietnam War, 2 Mar.
2014. Web. 16 Mar. 2016.