Now that you know all about theories of media influence, it is time to look at some cases where the media has been said to have a negative effect on an audience. What you need to do is pick one of these case studies and find out as much information as possible - then look at the case study according to each of our BAPRU theories.
ABC CATALYST & STATINS (2013)
In 2014 The Heart Foundation had estimated that an ABC Catalyst report that disregarded the benefit of cholesterol medications could cause up to 3000 hearts attacks over the next 5 years.
On July 15th 2015 this debate continued, with news reports stating that more than 60,000 Australians cut back on or stopped taking cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins after a program questioning their effectiveness aired on Australian TV. University of Sydney researchers found an immediate impact after the science program Catalyst aired on the ABC in October 2013. Researchers looked at the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medication records of 191,000 people and found 14,000 fewer people dispensing statins per week than expected. Researchers said an estimated 60,897 fewer people filled their statins prescriptions in the eight months following the Catalyst broadcast. The programs prompted a huge backlash, particularly from doctors and specialists who say statins have been clinically proven to cut the risk of heart disease. On their website, the ABC pointed out: Please note: As was emphasised in the Heart of the Matter program, viewers should not make any changes to their prescribed regimen of medications without seeking appropriate medical advice. Look at some of the links (right) for further information about this story. |
COLUMBINE KILLINGS (1999)
On the 20th April 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebond went on a shooting killing spree at their school; Columbine High School. They killed 12 students, 1 teacher and themselves. In addition to the people they killed, 24 others were injured.
It has been reported that these boys were influenced by the following media texts:
As a result of this incident, many believed that it was the media that heavily influenced the boys to carry out this act, specifically, the music and lyrics of Marilyn Manson were seen to be the most influential. Keep this in mind when discussing the case study, as you may be able to draw interesting discussion from the media types themselves (music, gaming and film) to substantiate an argument about the perceived level of influence from media types / forms SLENDERMAN (2014) |
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On Saturday May 31st May 2014 two 12-year-old girls allegedly stabbed their 12-year-old friend 19 times. The vicious attack and the girls' alleged motive: to prove the existence of a fictional creature named "Slenderman."
"Many people do not believe Slenderman is real [and we] wanted to prove the skeptics wrong," one of the girls said, according to the complaint filed by the Waukesha Police Department in southeastern Wisconsin. The two 12 year old suspects are able to be named by the media because they are being charged as adults. |