The Television View

by Walt Carvalho

I’ve been noticing some recent movement in television writing and direction. There appears to be a move in the works to minimize the relevance of social media in our lives. Fear has been a guaranteed trigger point for the networks to build strategies around. Producing fear in the viewer is obviously an attention getter before the agenda is delivered, however, with issues such as facebook security questions arising, the tactics have increased.

I find it very interesting, as I watch network news broadcasts, that the use of sites like twitter is irrelevant in their eyes, as a source of breaking news. While we are constantly being reminded of twitters insignificance, they are running their facebook and twitter icons at the bottom of the screen. I guess it’s their decision that the only reliable twitter site is theirs.

Regular programming has joined the force, as writers construct messaging hidden within storylines to project social media as “an experiment for the largest form of anarchy the world has ever seen”, as it was recently described in a story line expressed in a current popular series.

These power tactics are becoming less relevant as the reach of sites like twitter and facebook continues to grow. Television has enjoyed a very long season of control. Their message has been unquestioned and revered by so many, for so long, because of their authoritive positioning. Never has broadcast messaging been challenged as they are today.

It looks as though this trend of fear and demeaning projection directed at the viewer is a continuation of an attitude of superiority. It is however, more of a lack of understanding.

They simply don’t get it.

Get Creative. Get Social.

Photo: Artiii