Introduction:
Sometimes I realize that my first look in the morning is not at the sun, but at my phone.
We get news from social media, learn from short videos, and are understood by algorithms.
It makes me wonder — am I using the media, or is the media using me?
This is exactly what media theory tries to understand.
What Is Media Theory?
Media theory studies how different media forms affect people and society.
It’s not only about TV or newspapers — it also includes the internet, social apps, and even AI algorithms.
I like 3 Interesting Theories , they are
McLuhan: The Medium is the Message
McLuhan said that the medium itself matters more than the content.
When we watch short videos, it’s not the joke or the tip that changes us — it’s the habit of scrolling fast.
Stuart Hall: Active Audience
Hall believed audiences are active.
People understand the same message differently, depending on their culture and experience.
That’s why one ad can seem funny to one person and offensive to another.
Algorithms as the New Editors
In the digital age, algorithms decide what we see.
They know what we like, but sometimes they trap us inside a filter bubble.
It’s both amazing and a little scary.
After learning media theory, I started to think more critically.
When I see an angry headline, I ask myself:
“Is the media trying to make me feel this way?🤔”
Media theory isn’t just theory — it’s a mirror that helps us understand how media shapes our minds.
Conclusion
Media is the window through which we see the world — but it’s never completely clear.
Learning media theory helps us clean that window, so we can see the world more clearly, and more freely.
Written by Jane
