Second Weekly Reflection

Media has the power to shape our beliefs but it is essential that readers consider the truth within every news story. A reader can only satisfy their quest for the truth by questioning the motives behind an article and gathering their information from several sources. One article that exemplifies a beneficial use of media is CNN’s reporting of the earthquake in Hokkaido, Japan and the subsequent landslide. Although short, the article addresses the necessary questions of who, what, where, when, why and how. The article focused on the landslide, as a result of the 6.7 magnitude earthquake on Thursday. At least 3 million residents are left without power and the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has added that 4,000 rescue officials will be aiding those affected. Besides a significant and understandable fear factor, this article doesn’t persuade the reader towards any opinions. This article focuses on facts, the most productive use of media in that the reporter only wants to relay information rather than sway their audience.

Misconstrued information is a significant problem in the world of media, whether that be journalists not addressing all the necessary questions or only reporting biased sides. Often, the media wants views or uses ‘clickbait’ to draw in their readers. This type of information can be misleading and usually omits the parts of the article that are unintersting to the reader yet essential to the story. One article on Buzzfeed discussing the benefits of Microdosing is extremely misleading. Microdosing involves taking small doses of narcotics to experience creativity or other effects of the drug. A study conducted by London’s Imperial College will test the effects of Microdosing on participants. The major issue addressed in a nonchalant way in the article is that participants will be ‘self-blinding’ during the study. This involves taking small doses of their own created psychedelics mixed with placebo pills for the study. Nobody is regulating how many capsules they take or really addressing the main issue that these subjects are taking illegal drugs. Regulating how participants consume these psychedelics is simply too expensive, which should be a significant red flag for participants. Although the article states that London’s Imperial College will be conducting the study, it never mentions the qualifications of the scientists or the standards of the subjects. The article never even addresses the health concerns or possible addictions that could result from taking these drugs. Honestly, the entire article is extremely misleading and almost persuades readers to consider microdosing which for obvious reasons is concerning.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/elfyscott/a-world-first-trial-on-the-effects-of-psychedelic?utm_term=.sj9QjQA98#.oe6rkrxWY

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