Media, Society and the Responsibility of Being Informed

Smart phones,laptops, i-pads and all sorts of gadgets keep us informed and connected to each other and the world. Early in the morning, I take my dogs walking and even then, I see people talking endlessly on their phones – every detail of their lives is shared in real time. The dog walkers fail to share some focused time with their pets (or cleaning up after them!!) and even at the gym - everyone is busy scrolling. On the other hand, we need these devices – apps for paying bills, shopping, ordering food, apps for apps, authenticators, OTPs and the list goes on… Meanwhile armchair “experts” busily share scripted personal news, photos, vlogs, opinions, rants and personal perspectives, sometimes, deceiving themselves into thinking that personal thoughts are balanced opinions. A crisis happens on the other side of the  world and within seconds - images, opinions and commentary flood social media platforms. By the time you see something, a headline is a conclusion, a rumour is fact, and interpretation is certainty. Without any official confirmation – millions around the world have already formed an opinion. 

Where there is good - bad follows. Let’s consider online predators (or stalkers)! Attracted to the clandestine qualities of social media; deviant characters have found a convenient platform to exploit vulnerable individuals. Additionally, some in society are less tolerant of opposing schools of thought, less accepting of new revelations that challenge their belief, and can react aggressively. Most would agree that true brilliance lies in having the maturity and wisdom to recognize new information and having the courage to consider alternate perspectives. 

So, we learn about wars, politics, disasters, cultures and so on, through a variety of media platforms, but with little, if any, direct experience. The media therefore becomes our bridge to knowledge and experience of those distant realities. Still, we should be aware that it is not the same as looking through a window. Afterall, the news that reaches us has been framed by journalists based on their personal or organisational political viewpoint. They explain from their perspective but not the real world. In other words, the media influences what we think we know and influences top-of-mind awareness through multi-channel presence, sonic branding, reiteration and repetition.  

Essentially, the media are very much an integral part of our society. They are embedded within our political, economic and social structures. Consequently, their portrayal of information, images and ideas eventually becomes part of the culture through which we understand a society or an event. In other words, the media are involved in constructing the symbolic environment through which we make sense, since nobody simply reports news. According to Denis Quail, the founding father of modern media and communication studies “ whatever changes are under way there is no doubting the continuing significance of mass media in contemporary society, in the spheres of politics, culture, everyday social life and economics’. 

That means, if the media attracts public attention, influences behaviour and defines our reality, it can confer legitimacy. However, the same message is understood very differently by each group in society. But humans are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge and information. From a social psychology perspective each individual  brings existing knowledge, assumptions, experiences and our own unique identities. As a result in today's world,  social media has transformed the relationships we have with the media as we are no longer passive audiences – we are distributors too. 

Looking at Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, he suggested that culture influences how societies perceive authority, independence, uncertainty, time, gender roles and social expectations.  In turn, these cultural nuances influence how individuals behave or communicate and are the basis of their motivation. Ultimately, each culture has its own unique configuration of values and social behaviours and most people  will adjust to the environment they live in.  What we understand and how we interpret or perceive a message is influenced by language, life experiences, age, gender and even by cultural values. Thus, context matters! Messaging matters! Words matter! We may communicate in the same language but the assumption that similar understanding has taken place can lead to minor misunderstandings or possible dangerous reactions.

Any one of us can now reproduce information, add some commentary, alter the meaning through captions and pass it on – at a global scale. The original source can become invisible but creates a new dimension of civic responsibility. Some people consider themselves as informed citizens because they heard or read something passed onto them without seeking credible sources. Geopolitical events can be particularly confusing but it is even more important that understanding a conflict or political crisis requires historical, cultural, economic and political context. A social media post with emotive visuals is hardly a replacement for intellectual acuity. Furthermore, media like any organsiation has biases. Accordingly, it is important to go beyond the headline. It is in our interest to consider what is not obvious;  like who is reporting this event and who gains what from this news?  Having said that, many commentators offer more politically independent opinions. 

Local knowledge can give more context and sometimes helps distinguish between information and political messaging. Audiences have to take some responsibility - just as the media does. We live in multicultural-lingual, multi-cultural societies and words can be misconstrued. Words carry associations that might be culturally sensitive and have emotional foundations. A neutral phrase in one context might have the opposite effect in another. The media should go beyond linguistic accuracy. Senders of information ought to consider the audience and how they might interpret it.  Since we know that individuals within societies interpret messages through their existing social identities, effective communication is more important than just delivering information. Awareness of the uniqueness of an audience is key. The media can bring us together. But they can also fragment societies and reinforce competing interpretations of reality. They have become part of the conversation and the conversation belongs to everyone.  

I am a passionate reader of news and geopolitics interests me greatly. I read views of journalists from renowned news agencies, citizen journalism, and Gulf political analysts with accurate reporting as well as those that have wild theories. When discussing current affairs, I am particularly intrigued by what people understand and the way their individual experiences shape their line of thinking. There are some vocal individuals who portray an inaccurate picture of where we live, possibly, distorted by a lack of cultural sensitivity. As citizens, we need to be louder and fearless in protecting our comfortable and safe life in the Gulf. What we circulate and what we allow should reflect the kind of life we live. Media literacy is no longer just an academic concept, it is a responsibility of citizenship.

Nivs D

(Tuesday 25th August 2026)