Day 3 - 327 -- Power of Media

Many years ago on this date, we began to see the world differently due to televised news. This is the anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy. The news feeds had been set up to follow the motorcade as it wound through Dallas. For this reason, the media were in close proximity to the event and could follow the story as it unfolded. The few television channels of the day switched programming to the news -- something that wasn't common in those days. As a child, I recall watching the news and seeing the impact and chaos around the car -- over and over and over. Those grainy images on the big TV tube made an impression. It was a true watershed moment. Real death was difficult to understand from that flickering image. Yet, within the next decade the suppertime news began to broadcast film from journalists embedded with troops in Viet Nam. Again, death entered our living rooms and innocence left.

Television broadcasts have followed on from that tragic day, showing ongoing situations where people are dying on our screens. With the major changes in dramatic programming, audiences may have become a bit desensitized to the reality of news. Without a doubt, though, television and the moving images are powerful and emotional communication devices. I'm certain that seeing the Kennedy brothers die on my television along with the shuttle explosions, and unfolding shooter situations have played a major role in my professional interest in the impact mass media can have on viewers. I have also seen many positive messages on these media, so it isn't always bad. Social media have opened the world allowing me to remain in touch with friends around the globe. Societies and communities have developed online. From sociological and anthropological stances, the relationships seen on screen can represent the best and worst of individual and group behaviour. From the early days of the internet, it has sometimes reminded me of Golding's Lord of the Flies, and yet it has also shown great compassion and support. Intriguing, for certain. 

There is only one song that fits today's thoughts. It tells the story of how television became embedded in my consciousness. -- and all by a classic voice from a favourite band from the dim distant past. Enjoy! 

I saw it on TV -- John Fogerty