Media Purposes

Persuasion

The primary function of edvertising. Usually very subtle, but can be blatent and damaging. Unstated assumptions - "You've come a long way, baby" (since women have made socioeconomic gains in society, why not smoke too?) result in using the truth to induce deception.

Information

Usually found in print media, but also in electronic media via news programming. Problems arise as stories must be edited or not reported on at all: who determines what is "newsworthy?"

Entertainment

Can directly impact elements of culture (for example, incorporating TV time outs into sporting events or adapting a classic novel into a more modern format). Participatory involvement in creating entertainment can decline as more people are content merely to vicariously observe vie athe media.

Transmission of culture

Shaping of popular culture occurs via celebrity endorsements, incorporation of slogans and logos into everyday life, and the sharing of images, situations, attitudes, and reactions across the country (and the world). Many of the messages are negataive to specific groups of people and ultimately detrimental to social cohesion.