Media Policies Garnering the Most Attention (Essay Sample)

Media Policies Garnering the Most Attention
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Media Policies Garnering the Most Attention
The media has a significant role in communicating to the society. The population relies on the mass media to bring issues of public interest to them. Therefore, the selection of messages to be accentuated by the mass media have a profound effect on the entire society. However, the intense competition for the media’s attention has increased the need for analyzing the selection criteria of issues to address. This paper discusses the selective forces behind the public policy issues discussed by the media within the past month.
The French and Russian attacks by the Islamic State terrorist have gained global limelight. The attacks raise many question and policies have been put up to mitigate the effects of terrorism in the face of issued threats. As a result, the refugee policy has come under scrutiny by the media due to the push to bar Syrian refugees from the United States by twenty-four Republican governors (Troyan, 2015). The opposition and other Americans urge President Obama's government and to amend the refugee policy so as to bring to a halt the entry of Syrian refugees into the United States (Healy & Bosman, 2015). Concerns emerge about such reactions more so for being as a result of political and racial discrimination.
American mindsets are not capturing both sides of the issue. Americans are only paying attention to the national security concerns. They forget the reason for instituting the refugee policy. Only the president grasps the issue in its entirety as evidenced by his logic in defending the Syrian policy. According to Obama, denying Syrian refugees entry into the U.S is political posturing and against the American humanitarian values (Healy & Bosman, 2015). He accused the critics of being afraid of three-year-old orphans and widows. Barring the refugees unfair since the innocent victims suffer in the process. Besides denying them a chance to the U.S only strengthens ISIS by providing them with recruits.
On the other hand, the policy instigates fears of compromising the safety of Americans. Twenty-five Republican governors vowed to block the entry of such refugees in their states fearing for safety (Healy & Bosman, 2015). As the chorus of banning these refugees grows, questions as to whether their reasons are out logic, political affiliation or fear should be raised. The Syrian refugee policy well deserves the heightened attention by the media. Whether the refugees present any threat to Americans is a matter of debate. Therefore, logic should be used to look into the issue from all perspectives and discern the best way forward.
The other public policy issue that has gained media attention is gun control at the height of mass murders. The mass shooting of innocent people in Roseburg has reignited the much-deserved gun control debate (Perez-Pena, 2015). The shootings are said to have stemmed up from poor moral behavior among licensed gun owners. As a result, there are calls for strict restrictions on gun licensing and ownership. Gun control debates have primarily focused on limiting gun use among certain people and preventing the carrying of firearms in public in an attempt to reduce mass murders.
However, such restrictions have only considered the disadvantages of carrying firearms. The arguments undermine the fact that allowing responsible people to carry guns reduces crime (Reynolds, 2015). People are less likely to attack an armed person reducing incidences of murders, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. Therefore, blanket prohibitions of carrying concealed weapons make people highly vulnerable as they cannot defend themselves. Others choose to carry such weapons becoming despite the strict laws leading an increase in the number of jailed innocent persons (Reynolds, 2015). Besides, such tight restrictions violate the rights of individuals granted by the second amendment of the constitution.
Therefore, before deciding on gun control, all aspects must be addressed. The enforcement of strict restrictions would deny innocent people gun licenses making them an easy target for criminals. On the other hand, complacency in gun licensing would have disastrous effects by predisposing civilians to gun violence. Therefore, proper background checks should be conducted before gun licensing to protect the public (Perez-Pena, 2015). Before reaching an amicable solution, policy makers should consi...