2007-2008
DISCUSSION OUTLINE
Media and Its Effects
on Society
Minnesota State High School League
2100 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55430-1735
(763) 560-2262 FAX (763) 569-0499
Overview of Discussion
“Problem-solving Discussion is an effort on the part of a small group to reach a
solution to a problem through informal interchange of facts, inferences, and
judgments. This method of discussion seeks consensus rather than majority rule.
The focus of this event should be the encouragement of cooperation and critical
thinking to arrive at the collective goal of better understanding and problem
solving.”
This statement from the Minnesota State High School League Rules and
Policy Manual reflects the true spirit of this event. As discussion participants
prepare and research, the goal should be to collect information and
collaborative skills that will maximize their ability to make valuable
contributions as members of a variety of contest groups. In contest rounds,
all discussants should cooperate to achieve group consensus through both
substantive (adding valuable information, perspectives, and analysis) and
procedural (enhancing the group process, full participation, and positive
exchange of ideas) contributions to the discussion.
Overview of This Year’s Topic
The Random House Webster’s College Dictionary defines “media” as “the
means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and
magazines, that reach or influence people widely.” Contemporary usage has
expanded the definition to include all types of technology that can reach
wide audiences (including Internet, blogs, etc.). Truly, the media have
become social institutions. An attempt has been made to leave enough
breadth in the outline to provide for a plethora of tasks under three general
headings: Cultural Effects of the Media, Social Effects of the Media, and
Political Effects of the Media.
USAGE NOTE: While the term “media” was originally a plural form of “medium,” the Random House
Webster’s College Dictionary indicates that “’MEDIA’, like ‘data,’ is the plural form of a word borrowed
directly from Latin. The singular, ‘MEDIUM,’ early developed the meaning “an intervening agency,
means, or instrument” and was first applied to newspapers two centuries ago. In the 1920s ‘MEDIA’
began to appear as a singular collective noun, sometimes with the plural ‘ MEDIAS.’ This singular use is
now common in the fields of mass communication and advertising, but it is not frequently found
outside them: The media is (or are) not antibusiness.” It is reasonable, therefore, to use “The Media”
as either a plural or a collective (singular) noun.
A Note on Use of Topics at Invitationals
While the Minnesota State High School League does not limit the use of topic areas
used for Discussion in invitational speech tournaments, the Committee on
Discussion has recommended the following “schedule” to give students experience
with all parts of the outline:
January- February 17:
State Topics (III. Political Effects)
February 18- March 17:
Sectional Topics (II. Social Effects)
March 18 - Start of Subsections:
Subsection Topics (I. Cultural Effects)
Media and Its Effects on Society
2007-2008 MSHSL Speech Discussion Outline
I.
Cultural Effects – Subsection Topic
A. Content
1. Violence
2. Pornography
3. News (as entertainment)
B. Changing Values
1. Media Justice
2. Sensationalization
3. Role Models
4. Minority Representation
5. Competition
C. Legal Issues
1. Copyright Infringement
2. Plagiarism
3. Intellectual Ownership
II. Social Effects – Section Topic
A. Communication
1. i-Technology
2. Text Messaging
3. Internet Social Networking
B. Attitudes
1. Group Polarization
2. Cyber Bullying
C. Personal Image
1. Obesity
2. Beauty
3. Trends/Fads
III.
Political Effects – State Topic
A. Media Ownership
1. Corporate Conglomerates
2. Foreign Entities
3. Government Control
B. Journalistic Ethics
1. Agenda Setting
2. Controlling the Message
3. Censorship
4. Photo Doctoring
C. Campaign Effects
1. Fairness Doctrine
2. Mudslinging
3. Blogs
Bibliography
(This is by no means a definitive list, but merely a starting place for those
needing some direction and guidance.)
De Moraes, Lisa. “Kid Nation is a lesson in bad publicity.” Washington Post.
31 Aug. 2007.
Fratangelo, Dawn. “Blogs grow in numbers, power and influence.”
MSNBC.com. 5 May 2006. <www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12634554>.
Gunther, Mark. “Can the Washington Post survive?” CNN Money. 26 July
2007. <www.cnnmoney.com>.
Hauck, Charlie. “My Plan to Save Network Television.” The New York Times.
16 Sept 2006.
“How Old Media Can Survive In a New World.” The Wall Street Journal
Online. 23 May 2005. <www.online.wsj.com>.
Hughes, John. “US media can’t cover the news if they don’t cover the
world.” Christian Science Monitor. 7 Feb. 2007.
Johnson, Carolyn. “Sides press for advantage in airwaves auction.” The
Boston Globe. 18 June 2007.
Mabry, Marcus. “The Ugly Truth About Imus, Power and the Press.”
Newsweek Online. 12 April 2007.
<www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18062462/site/newsweek>.
Pooley, Eric. “Exclusive: Rupert Murdoch Speaks.” Time. 28 June 2007.
Puzzanghera, Jim. “Fairness Doctrine debate ignites heated discussion.”
Chicago Tribune. 30 July 2007.
Shaw, David. “MEDIA MATTERS; Media giants or parents -- just who is in
charge?” Los Angeles Times. 22 Feb. 2004.
Smith, Sylvia. “Debate on Internet ownership continues.” CNN.com. 2 Dec.
2005. <www.cnn.com>.
Weiss, Joanna. “Youtube debate garners mixed bag.” The Boston Globe.
25 July 2007.