Module 2 Discussion Forum (MLO 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)
Forum Instructions
In a post below, respond to the following prompt, which assesses Course Outcomes 1, 3, and 4 and Module Learning Objectives 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. Then, you must respond to 2 of your classmates' posts. After you post a response, you will be able to see other responses.
Your response should be at least 1 paragraph long. This includes responses to other students' posts. A simple “I agree” or “Yes” or “LOL” will not count. Please think about the questions and your peers' responses and reply thoughtfully and courteously, according to netiquette rules. Use good English grammar, correct punctuation, and complete sentences. While the posts will mostly be judged by their thoughtfulness and completeness, I reserve the right to take off points for grammatical errors, especially if they interfere with the clarity of the post.
Prompt
How and where we get our information is important. We base all of our opinions off what we are reading, and seeing, and hearing from those who we believe are reputable sources of that information. If you are a conservative, odds are you are not getting your news from CNN. Conversely, if you are a liberal, FOX NEWS is not even a consideration for your current events. And then there is the social media phenomenon. More and more young people are getting their news and current events (if they are even paying attention to what is going on around them in the world) from places like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, which are nowhere near as reputable as the more established mainstream media outlets.
Our perceptions of the criminal justice system and in criminal behavior is greatly influenced by what the media is portraying to the point where we as consumers of the news have become desensitized to the violence that is being reported on our city streets, our nation, and even worldwide. We make judgements based solely on the information from these news agencies, without proper judicial processing. This "Trial by Media," and "Court of Public Opinion" has become so lucrative, every major news platform has some form of programming that deals strictly with the debate over the guilt or innocence of an alleged offender before they have their day in court. Likewise, social media "experts" are continuously espousing on the guilt or innocence of an alleged individual without knowing the facts of the case.
Make an argument, for or against, for the continued use of the media as judge, jury, and executioner of criminal cases; this includes Mainstream Media and Social Media. Should we as consumers be paying attention to what the news says about the guilt or innocence of an accused offender when the news media has no jurisdiction to make such determinations? Use some current events to back up your argument.