The Power of Media in Shaping Our View on Issues

 

Repelita, Jakarta - The most intense battle in today's information era is the war of images and perceptions. This battle, often shaped by media outlets, aims to influence public opinion about various issues. Ultimately, opinions based on these cultivated perceptions define the issue at hand.

Mass media, including social media, plays a pivotal role in building these images and perceptions. The media's power can either tarnish the reputation of the innocent or clear the name of the guilty, depending on the narrative it wishes to create.

This complexity of mass media often leads to dishonesty in reporting. A classic example highlights this: "A dog biting a man is not news, but a man biting a dog is."

Recent events remind us of this reality. Many media outlets, especially those in regions claiming to uphold honesty and civilization, have been guilty of one or more of the following:

1. Spreading fake news: Reporting false events or creating fabricated stories. For instance, CNN had to retract its report on Palestinian fighters allegedly killing Israeli children and raping Israeli women.
2. Sensationalizing negative events: Amplifying tragic events affecting one party while downplaying or even concealing similar events affecting another. The killing of Israeli children received extensive media coverage, while the massacre of Palestinian children was largely ignored by Western media.
3. Reversing facts: Portraying the guilty party as innocent and vice versa. For example, the Palestinian struggle for independence is often framed as terrorism, while Israel's killing of civilians is justified as self-defense.

The role of media, especially in shaping public opinion during conflicts such as the Israeli-Palestinian issue, is clear. In many cases, the distortion of facts leads to a skewed perception of events, where the true victims of oppression are often portrayed as the aggressors.(*)

Editor: 91224 R-ID Elok

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