Mass media can be described as channels of communication that reaches out to large number of people. For instance, some forms of mass media in the United States are television, radio, social media, newspaper, and the internet. The history of mass media has been very unsettled as seen in the earlier years there was more emphasis on politics. More recently, the ratings for other popular entertainment segments have reached more individuals than politics in some instances. With the increased demand for ratings and viewership, broadcasting systems have been more interested in providing infotainment (information and entertainment) rather than focusing on providing factual data
The media has a very specific purpose in a democratic society that is outlined in three news media functions. Those functions are to deliver the electoral forum, provide important issues to the public, and play the role of watch dog by scrutinizing the actions of the government (Iyengar, 2019, p. 21). The role of politics and media has taken a dramatic turn in the past few years as households have shifted their attention to popular entertainment rather than news involving politics. This shift has also highlighted the role of media and politics and how they intersect in the 21st century.
Police brutality is an important issue and is very sensitive, because it opens the doors for people to begin to accuse law enforcement of unjust mistreatment. However, it is no longer an accusation because it is statistically found that African-Americans are subjected to a higher rate of killings by the United States of America police force. This is the shocking truth of our justice system to continue to employee
More recently, people of color have been targeted and harassed by civil servants that are supposed to be here for our protection. This has been a nationwide issue in America and it has not received the proper media coverage or justice, in regards to the victims. However, that all recently changed when NFL Quarter back Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the national anthem to show his support by doing a peaceful protest for police brutality and racism. Colin Kaepernick previously would remain seated during the National Anthem, but due to the rising spike in police brutality and racism he used his national platform to bring awareness to a serious issue. At the time in 2016, he played for the San Francisco 49ers and a few months later Donald Trump had been elected to office.
Colin Kaepernick received a lot of criticism over this action and it made many headlines across the world. However, many people fault the media because they did not remain controversial, but instead painted Kaepernick out to be a defiant person. They accused him of disrupting the NFL traditions and causing an uproar that was not appropriate for that occasion. Honestly, when is it okay to address police brutality and racial injustice? What does the perfect setting look like? Perhaps a crime scene where yet another person of color is murdered? Or a national platform with professional athletes who can spread a message?
Politicians and NFL owners made public statements in regards to their disappointment and outrage. For instance, the NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell released an official statement encouraging players to take the time out to honor the American flag during the reciting of the National Anthem (Vera, Amir. “How National Anthem Protest Took Colin Kaepernick from Star QB to Unemployment to Bold Nike Ad.”, 2018). He amounted the small protest to an act of being unpatriotic and did not want this perception for the NFL. Therefore, he offered players to stand in the locker room until the Anthem ends if they do not wish to stand for it. This response later evolved when recently elected Donald Trump weighed in his opinion on the situation. Trump made many outrages remakes both in person and via social media. These remarks included him suggesting the owners fire the employees and even calling them sons of bitches (Vera, Amir. “How National Anthem Protest Took Colin Kaepernick from Star QB to Unemployment to Bold Nike Ad.”, 2018).
Having the newly elected President encourage the type of behavior that suppresses a player’s voice, violates their rights, and disregard urgent social justice issues led this event to spiral out of control. The media also failed Kaepernick and the community by not scrutinizing the government actions against the player and the racial injustice issue at hand. They instead made the underlying issue as disrespecting the flag, however, that was not the case. The national anthem recites “the land of the free and the home of the brave”, but this same land allows for social inequality, racial injustice, and police brutality to take place.
Vera, Amir. “How National Anthem Protest Took Colin Kaepernick from Star QB to Unemployment to Bold Nike Ad.” CNN, 4 Sept. 2018, http://www.cnn.com/2018/09/04/us/colin-kaepernick-controversy-q-and-a/index.html.
Politics 