THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412160071
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAULITA M. BROWN, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
THE UNETHICAL capitalist media thrive on the misfortune of young people. They exploit negative images and make teens feel bad about themselves. This practice needs to change.
``The media seems to focus more on when we do a crime more so than achieving in school,'' said Jeanine Cherry, 16, a junior at Bethel High School.
Always seeing negative images creates low self-esteem, said Sidney L. Faucette, superintendent of the Virginia Beach Public Schools.
``Because young people are impressionable, the transference of negative images takes place in their minds,'' said the Rev. Robert G. Murray, pastor of First Baptist Church in Norfolk. ``A child takes and transfers to themselves .
For many Americans, especially teenagers, the media are instrumental in shaping their perception of people, especially minorities.
``The media does a real disservice to minorities,'' Faucette said. ``It does not give a balanced report. A visual word is very powerful.''
Mary Margaret Cooper, 16, a junior at Princess Anne High School, agrees. She said, ``I think the media focuses on the negative aspects of minorities.''
The only way young people can get anything positive out of these negative images is if adults help teens interpret them in a positive way, Murray said.
But capitalizing on the free enterprise system, the media tend to print and say what will sell. The things that sell depict violence and disobedience among young people, not accomplishments.
Elwood L. Williams, executive director of the Southside Boys and Girls Club of America said, ``The American society is fascinated with violence and the American public has an appetite for these images.''
Televised role models, including the president, are constantly being disparaged by the media. The president is constantly under fire by the media, and the media sensationalize insignificant things that have no bearing on how he does his job. What is this saying to young people, when adults do not respect the man they call their leader?
``When we create an atmosphere of unpleasant behavior, we are sending a message that unpleasant behavior is an acceptable behavior for young people,'' said Jeffrey B. Spence, executive director of the Richmond-based National Conference of Christians and Jews. ``We should not be surprised that young people act out those inappropriate models of behavior.''
The adults behind the media - newspapers, radio, movies, television - must take some responsibility because they have become the '90s baby sitters. Most children spent more time in front of a television than in school. The media must try to reduce the number of violent and negative programs and articles.
In many cases adults, need to turn off the television and communicate with young people, letting them know that someone cares.
Although some blame must be accepted by adults, young people need to take responsibility for their actions. Young people know right from wrong.
To make things better, adults must get away from a power-driven, materialistic society where an ``anything goes'' attitude is prevalent. They need to make the media create more positive images that young people can imitate. Adults need to buy stock in us just as they buy stock in media corporations. Adults need to invest time, effort and resources, so they can make a profit off a promising future. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Paulita Brown is a junior at Princess Anne High.
by CNB