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February 13, 2020Shaping Public Opinion Is An Awesome Responsibility
Whether via television, radio, newspapers, or the Internet, the business of shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility that should never be taken lightly. There is just too much at stake when you live in a democratic republic like the United States of America.
Yet, it has become big business. So many voices engage in it every day, as their major profession, under the guise of being an authority, an expert, or someone “in the know.” Unfortunately, millions of unsuspecting Americans not only believe in them, but count on them for accurate information and direction.
These are Americans who for whatever reasons do not have access to necessary information or lack the access or time to find out the facts for themselves. This is why shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility. So, they go to other sources, on their favorite TV/Cable News station, radio personality, Facebook and Twitter connections. Too often, many of these personalities are pushing partisan positions, political agendas, distorted or down-right fake news and falsities.
Yet the unsuspecting public often can’t discern fact from fiction. Shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility and if you are not about promoting truth and facts that will lead to the good and well-being of your audience, indeed society, you should not be about it.
Public Opinion Is An Awesome Responsibility.
Photo Credit: 3D_generator
Manipulating the public on distorted and false information is not only an injustice to the public that is attending, but also to others when actions or inactions are based on the lies and distorted information. Lies, fake news have a ripple effect. It is seen every day in the misplaced inaccurate information saturating cable news, radio and TV talk shows and social media.
Shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility and should be grounded in a purpose that is designed to promote the best good for the greatest number. It should consists of presenting the facts and truth. It should be in the public’s best interest and not to advance some selfish interest, or the welfare of a group, or the powerful few.
It is false, distorted, fake information and news that breed extremists, racists, bigots, terrorists, and all manner of scoundrels—the dregs of society, who takes advantage of social and individual progress. Too often, such extremism results in harm, even death.
We all can be about shaping public opinion within our orbit of influence, from family to colleagues, community, city, state and nation. We only need to be clear of our purpose in doing so.
Shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility, no matter who we are trying to influence or be influenced by.
Feature Photo Credit: FabrikaCr
25 Comments
I totally agree with you, everyone is bestowed with the responsibility to shaping piblic opinions, Wether we are at the top or bottom positions. I believe it is in everyone’s best interest when true and proper information are passed to the public.
Most of those charged with shaping public opinion are always looking to cater to the needs of their financiers hence losing sight of what is morally right. It truly is a sad state of affairs.
“Too often, many of these personalities are pushing partisan positions, political agendas, distorted or down-right fake news and falsities.” That statement is the perfect description of what has become of our information dissemination organizations.
In the quest for ratings our public opinion shapers have resorted to sensationalism to attract more audiences. All this while not paying attention to the facts.
This is why I always rely on independent media outlets. The mainstream is just too tainted to rely on.
Integrity and honesty are traits that have been seriously lacking among our public opinion shapers. It’s high time something was done about it.
Extremist views pushed by the media can have very dire consequences. Laws should be enacted to curb this.
The public needs to do more research in fact checking the information the media feeds them. Most of these news outlets only strive to push various political agendas.
Having the responsibility of shaping public opinion is one of the most important roles in our society. This is because the ramifications are so far reaching.
In this era of fake news it is difficult to find a reliable news source. It’s best to do your own research and find out the truth.
Indeed public opinion shaping is very crucial and should be taken seriously. It pains me to see so many news outlets peddling extremist views out there.
Very well said Janice. This article is very timely especially since fake news is so rampant lately.
Thank you, Roy!
I agree. As they say information is power that is why it must be accurate in most if not all the time. Sadly, these days that is no longer the case with the emergence of fake news. I get it we all have social platforms but at least be responsible in using it. It might just be mere words but it can make a difference.
You have a very spot on argument and I think all readers and viewers should take in news with a grain of salt if the sources are unreliable or are just speculations. I think too often news and broadcasters look for the most exciting headlines to share rather than in search for the greater good. It is a huge responsibility shaping public opinion and it should be in the best interests of protecting society and keeping them well informed.
I agree, imformation is power and it means a big responability. We count on shaping opinion to be well informed, and sometimes also to make decitions. Is not right to take advantage to manipulate the information.
I agree with you ..shaping public opinion is a huge responsibility and its sensitive too…promoting fake news and information will only affect the society negatively.. Whatever we share should be the truth and something that will benefit the public.. The universe will thank us for it
This is one of our rights that we can always exercise. It is very good that we can express our point of views.
I really like this article and I agree with this. Forming a public opinion is a marvelous obligation, regardless of who we are attempting to impact or be affected by.
We all know that people used to express their opinions and feelings over the internet now adays. Though we do have freedom of speech, we need to know our limitations and boundaries in giving public opinions. We need to be responsible at all times.
Shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility and should be grounded in just a purpose; the truth but only the truth. Its painful everything nowadays is for profit and profit alone
I am totally agree with this article, the saddest thing is that the lies you see or hear have been influenced by third parties, to capture more repetitions on television or for common purposes. The sad reality is that we do not investigate the real information and what really happens, we settle for the first information we see, giving credibility to people who do not even have a basis to support or discuss what has been said.
So well said, Yersonti!
Nice piece to know the reality of public opinions. You have said it all that it should be in the public’s best interest and not to advance some selfish interest, or the welfare of a group, or the powerful few.
Shaping public opinion is an awesome responsibility and people has tend to take advantage of this to misinform people that has no time or access to the piece of information themselves. I think the government should persecute those that takes people for granted and pass false info