Nikita Makarovs

1. Introduction 5% 150 words

2. Material From SB 15% 350 words
3. Additional materials 20% 350 words
4. Personal experience 30% 500 words
5. Conclusion 5% 150 words
6. Presentation 15%
7. Language (mistakes) 10%
Total number of words 1500

The media and the message

20th century is usually considered as the century of media. It was the time when the most
significant advancements and transformations occurred in the area of media and
communications technologies. But, the 21st century brings us into an era of total dominance
of digital technology, which could not but reflect on the way we perceive the information. As
we delve into the modern ways of producing the media and the problems that arise, this essay
will unfold in four main sections. First will explore who controls the news and the issues of
modern ways of producing news. Following that, we will delve into the techniques of
“getting bigger picture” along with why people fall for headlines. Finally, we will discover
what are “filter bubbles, echo chambers and how they are created.
While everything has changed all around, the methods of creating news have changed just as
much. A great part of nowadays news made and reported by ordinary individuals. Mobile
technology has enabled people at the scene of the event to post videos, messages, photos,
much quicklier than a paid journalist. The problem is that these unofficial “reporters” haven’t
got time to collect and scrutinize facts or explore the bigger picture, resulting with hundreds,
even thousands of people who felt for the scam. It’s crucial to trace the sources every time
you see news with huge headline, to get a bigger picture. But what exactly bigger picture is?
In short it is a broad, overall view or perspective of an issue or problem. For example, three
different photos are shown, which are taken from three different angles. On the first one we
could see the man going through grocery shop with the anger oh his face, which might push
us to think that he is trying to steal something, or do something bad. At the second photo we
see a kid, who fell on the floor and crashed a jar, what makes us feel regretful and
compassionate. Finally, on the third photo, we see bigger picture. The man in the first picture
is the child's father, who was furious about the slippery floor on which his child was almost
got injured. The man was going to help him to get up. This simple example shows the
message, that it’s a must to delve into problem, trace sources, and check all facts, that are
available, but do not read only headlines. As I’ve said, the progress runs inexorably, resulting
with over-saturation of different news in all media spaces. Reporters rush to release the latest
news that will catch the attention of user’s eye as soon as possible hoping it will go viral. In
this case, headlines are the key. News sites, are abuzz with a wide variety of loud headlines.
Usually, we are searching for most interesting headline, opening the news, and realizing that,
the whole headline was beautiful wrapper to get us to open this news. As a consequence, the
device from which we read the news remembers what we prefer to read and draws
conclusions about what news to be shown to us in the future.

Individuals use services such as Facebook, Twitter and Apple News to get news. Some of the
news that people see when using these platforms has been automatically selected by
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algorithms. The algorithms made these selections using data collected by the platforms based
on our past usage, as well as data we voluntarily provide to the platforms. Filter bubbles
describe a situation where news we don't like or agree with is automatically filtered out, and
this can lead to a narrowing of our knowledge. According to the Digital News Report,
roughly equal number of people said that the main resources of news are social media and
television. In some countries, TV is slightly ahead. In some countries, online is slightly
ahead. But generally speaking, we see a very similar pattern with online and TV quite far
ahead of print and radio. Also, there are differences when we look at age groups. TV is more
likely to be the main source of news for people over 45. People under 45 are more likely to
get their news online. As a result, both age groups are exposed to the influence of filter
bubbles. But why shouldn’t we focus on filter bubbles? Focusing too much on filter bubbles
—where people only see information that aligns with their views—can make us miss the
complex ways people consume online news. It might also distract us from more important
issues related to how we use platforms. While research shows that online news on search and
social media is more varied than expected, there's a worry that this diversity could lead to
more disagreements and differences in how people use and view information. The idea of
filter bubbles doesn't fully explain how this happens, especially as platforms keep changing.
We need to keep questioning how algorithms shape our news. Paying too much attention to
filter bubbles might stop us from dealing with the deeper reasons for divisions in politics and
society. It's crucial not to ignore other important factors influencing the problems we're
facing while studying how platforms affect our news habits.
Today we live in news century, where everyone is producing content, trying to get people’s
attention, and I’m not an exception. When I decided to take part in the school newspaper, I
discovered the fascinating world of journalism, which completely changed my idea of how to
share my thoughts and ideas with others. It all started with a simple desire to share important
and interesting events from the life of the school. I decided to join the newspaper team to be
part of the process of information exchange in our learning community. My first involvement
was to find interesting topics for articles. I wandered through whole school, talking to
teachers and classmates, trying to identify events and ideas that might interest our audience.
One day, when I saw our class actively involved in a charity fundraiser for a local animal
shelter, I decided to write about it. My article was about our collective effort, how students
raised funds and spent time with furry friends from the shelter. This topic not only
highlighted the school's charitable work, but also emphasized the importance of pupils' social
responsibility. In the writing process, I made extensive use of research, interviewing,
planning and structuring skills, as well as vivid and precise language. Supporting facts,
interviews, quotations and the use of visualization in the form of photographs helped to create
material that was not only informative but also easily understood by readers. In addition,
attention to detail, text correction and careful work with the editorial team were important
aspects. Another lesson social media has taught me is not to believe everything you see.
Unfortunately, I became a victim of fraud when I signed up for a newsletter that promised
fresh and exclusive news to help me make profitable trading decisions. Tempted by the
convincing adverts with bold headlines, I believed the promises and timely information.
However, the reality turned out to be strikingly different. It turned out that the newsletter was
a clever scheme that failed to live up to its promises. Instead of receiving valuable financial
insights, I was confronted with a flood of general and often outdated information. The
experience was a vivid reminder of the importance of skepticism in the digital age, especially
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when it comes to financial affairs. It emphasized the need for careful research and
verification before trusting any source, especially one found in many online platforms.
In conclusion, the evolution of media from the twentieth to the twenty-first century has
brought about a digital age that has a profound impact on how we consume information. In
this essay, we have examined the challenges faced in creating contemporary news,
emphasizing the prevalence of user-generated content and the need to scrutinize sources for a
comprehensive understanding. The importance of getting the 'big picture' is emphasized,
encouraging readers to look beyond sensational headlines to delve into the depth of the issues
presented. The role of algorithms in shaping news consumption through platforms such as
Facebook, Twitter and Apple News is considered, raising concerns about filter bubbles and
their potential impact on knowledge diversity. However, it should be cautioned that an
overemphasis on 'filter bubbles' may oversimplify the complex dynamics of online news
consumption. To conclude the essay, we have considered how to overcome the pitfalls of
misinformation in the digital age, highlighting the vital importance of skepticism and scrutiny
in the face of information abundance. In this age of constant news production, critical
thinking and discernment remain essential tools for navigating the vast and sometimes
deceptive world of media.