Social Ramifications, are magazines responsable?

Question:- To what extent should magazines be held responsible for the social ramifications of the representations they offer?

People think that the media are responsible for the negative change in society. However this could be argued that the affect the media have on us can be positive or negative.

Magazines are a mass media that are consumed by a range of audiences. From fashion magazines to music editions they are very influential to the viewer. Over the past few years, celebrity and real life have been the domination in many magazines, that are generally aimed at a young female demographic.I believe this is one of the magazine genres that are changing society and exposing young minds to the negative aspects.

For example:

 Many teenage girl magazines such as Bliss include content unsuitable for people of the young age group. One edition of Bliss in particular had a front cover with the following cover lines: “I had a boob job at 16” “Deported for underage drinking” and “JLS’s naughtiest interview.” These story lines are the first thing that the buyer sees. So, using the stories, even as a selling point is assumption that the young girls are interested in these stories. The breast enhancement story is an example of how magazines are influencing people that the appearance is the most important thing, making people self conscious and low self esteem. This gives the reader the impression that it is the norm and will lower their values.

Underage drinking and other anti-social behaviour is also located in many magazines, showing the fun side of drinking without showing the negative outcomes. On the other hand this story could have been used as a teaching curve as they use a experience to promote the dangers.

In addition the JLS interview contained vocabulary such as 'naughtiest', giving the message that the type of behaviour is prohibited. It could be that it seemed like an enticing word; however young people pick up on the smallest of details.

Other than the written codes there are many visual images that are also influencing and altering the views of the reader. In most magazines the famous celebrities are featured in posed pictures looking glamorous and beautiful. Nonetheless some see it as a promotional item that gives the idea that we should be a certain clothe size, we should be airbrushed and we all have to own the latest fashion trend. Again this advertises that we should all look artificial and be concern of our appearance all the time. This has made many people become ‘people their not’ and too obsessed.

In contrast magazines can’t be held completely responsible for the social ramifications as some magazines do include adverts promoting drink awareness and other features that have no negative effect.

I believe it could be defined as “exaggeration” as magazines feature aspects of society whilst the people of society read them, making it a vicious circle which is demoting values and norms of society.