link to this article: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_499358.html
Once again, these few names will appear in front of you. Tiger Woods, John Terry, Ashley Cole and now Singapore's very own Jack Neo?? Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of having their affairs exposed by the media. In this article, many Singaporeans have stated their disappointment and some have also decided to boycott his movies.
What surprised me about this is not about Jack Neo, whom many people have stated their perception of him being a upright, caring family man as portrayed in his movies, having this affair but from the overwhelming responses from people around. Recently, there are too many stories about famous celebrities having affairs that Jack Neo's affair seems to me that it is not merely a coincidence that this is exposed at this 'peak period'. It seems to be that the Magic Bullet Theory is at work here. The Magic Bullet Theory states that the mass media is all powerful but the audience is all powerless, so the mass media is able to manipulate a passive and gullible public. People also feel that the mass media is a credible source and believe in it without questioning it. This is why I am surprised that so many people are believing this story from the strong responses I have seen.
Let me illustrate this further. Pro-wrestling is staged. Most people know that. However, two particular incidents stood out. In early 1998, the then-WWF brought in Mike Tyson and he had an in-ring brawl with wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin. Many media bought the news and it was even the headlines of some, even though this was a completely staged confrontation. Last year, Donald Trump was staged to 'purchase' Monday Night Raw from WWE owner Vince McMahon. Soon after that televised episode of Raw, WWE shares were affected because some investors thought that the news was true.
So this has shown that despite of the rise of technology that the audience has greater access to look for other sources, most people still rely on the mass media for information and believe wholeheartedly. The mass media still has an almighty control on the minds of people.
I am not disputing this affair. I am not saying that this is fabricated. I am just thinking that this affair may be sensationalized to a certain extent to generate interests. I must point out that the mass media has its agenda setting function. The mass media is able to downplay some issues and magnify others. Could this be a publicity stunt? Unlike previous Chinese New Years, Jack Neo did not release any films this year but will be releasing his new film only in March. So, is this trying to generate interests towards his movie? Also remember that in Singapore, the various sources of mass media are tightly linked to each other and controlled by the government. So I will not be surprised if the newspaper is actually aiding the television company to drum up interests in this affair and person, since all of them are linked and aiding each other will help in moving towards a secret agenda.
So, give me your thoughts. Are you going to believe in everything the mass media says?
It's been a couple of days since I have written this entry. With the recent development of things, I would like to make another bold prediction. Perhaps next year, he will turn this saga into a docu-drama.
ReplyDeleteA series of exposed affairs - coincidence or media generated? I agree with you that the Jack Neo saga is SLIGHTLY too coincidental considering that a recent production of his was released in the cinemas just before his sordid affairs with Wendy Chong and a couple of other ladies. Many have speculated that the saga was simply a means to promote his new movie, which has probably fallen short of expectations. Many movie-goers actually went to watch the show just so they could catch Wendy Chong in it. With that said, whether the entire matter of Jack Neo's infidelity is the truth or a publicity stunt, it is probably up to the media to shape things.
ReplyDeleteI think the media focuses too much on people's private lives .The world doesn't need to know who in the world is cheating on who .
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly true the media has great power in these days. It seems like it has a life on it's own and an unimaginable level of influence it exerts on nations and their people. It is these reasons that many organizations and institutions have used it for their (secret agenda). Hence, it can be said that many things heard and seen on the media is never (I say boldly) 50% true. Therefore, it is clear that we cannot allow the media to exploit our ignorance and serve us with information, expecting us to gobble them up, just so that their agenda be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the affair, I guess it is something true. It's hard for his family to accept such a cruel truth. However, there is a possibility that someone might be behind the scenes, instigating such a revelation of the affair just so that the upcoming movie might sell better. Whatever the case, the media is more than powerful to play down issues that don't sell and stir up (bad) news that sell. After all, bad news sells.
Everybody is actually spectulatiing if the case of Jack Neo was dramatised. Therefore, I do not believed that media can control the minds of the people. Media being a very powerful tool of influence is undeniable.
ReplyDeleteOn one of the news, I happened to watch jack's 5 minute apology, which was so dramatic. His wife fainted in public, while his actors were 'trying' to protect them from the reporters. We all questioned Jack Neo and his actors' reaction. But what about his wife? Was she an actor too? If not, then she has the good material to be one.
Thus, I believed that Media from other countries may have the degree of manipulation. Singapore will never be one, unless it has to do with the government. We are so 'governmentise'. Remember that Jack Neo was awarded a media award from the government? I wonder if they are going to take it back from him...
@joyce: I don't know. Desperate times require desperate measures. Even if she is unwilling or cannot, she may be forced to because her husband says so...
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about the news, the first thought that came into my mind is "Wow, Jack Neo is not really a perfect husband like he portrayed himself in movies after all." I pretty much believe the news as it is from the newspapers. However, after I saw Jack Neo apologizing at the press conference, it was so dramatic that I have to agree with you, it might be staged. Esp the part when Ah Nan stepped in and shouted to the reporters, it was as if they were all acting. If all this is really staged, we can see the power of the media on communicating to the people.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the scandal with Jack Neo would have been as crazy without the media's influence. Of course one thing we should take note is how Jack is often portrayed by the media itself as someone who is an upright family man, but yet the moment something bad happens, the media turns their back on him and start to portray him in a bad light. What you said about how the press conference could be staged too, is a good point. Can such a dramatic press conference really happen?
ReplyDeleteHmmmmm im pretty sure that the Magic bullet theory is obselute however, I will agree on the points that you have made. The media is indeed power and able to sway its audience. However, there are skeptics like me who supsect that the whole Jack Neo saga might STILL just be a Publicity stunt. I think that majority are exposed to the media and that they subscribe to it but that does not mean they believe 100% what it says. However, the fact that the media is very very might can not be disputed.
ReplyDeleteJust my two kents worth.
I hardly believe the mass media when it comes to celebrities. The media intrudes into their private lives too much and i feel that it is very unfair, so i choose to ignore the news
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on the type of news the mass media is reporting on. If it sounds true, I will do my own research before coming to a conclusion. Of course, there are some reports whereby the people will just believe everything. Examples include tax waiver for ten two years or a decrease in transportation costs.
ReplyDeleteMass media has made life hard for the celebrities. They have to hide every single thing which may has a negative impact from the eyes of the media.
ReplyDeleteLike for Jack Neo's scandal it may not be as dramatic as it is now if we waived off the presence of the media. In addition, his new movie is out during that period of time which adds on more tensions. Audience like me and you judge him on the stories which the media report.
We make our opinions and give a conclusion.
But to what extend can we believe some parts of the stories ?
Media sensationalism regarding the whole Jack Neo saga came into my mind the moment the news broke. I mean, just months after Tiger Woods' scandal was exposed, so was our very own local director who apparently had been cheating on his wife for the better part of two years with someone less than half his age. What is the world coming to nowadays. I doubt I will be one to lap up every single thing the media says, but I also do not see the media as being so skewed that I have to discredit everything that is printed or broadcasted, although I would probably have to take most things with a pinch of salt!
ReplyDeleteHey.... what an excellent use of COMs concepts. It is definitely disturbing to see how, all of a sudden many of our celebrities are being exposed of such unacceptable acts. The media knows that such stories will feed the interest of the people as such topics 'in' at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThe media is definitely very powerful in constructing our thoughts and opinions. But, we an consumers, need to know what and how much to take in.
hello cheong! i like how you compared the scandal to pro-wrestling. I'm pretty sure that is what is on most Singaporeans' minds - the question of whether the scandals were created merely for the benefits media will bring to the publicity of the movie/event/show. There are so many platforms nowadays - blogs, twitter, facebook...you name it. News spreads even more like wild fire now. I guess the Magic Bullet Theory is definitely apt! Even if one lives under a rock, they have definitely heard of this scandal - that is the power of the media.
ReplyDeleteAll these information from the media and people believing it is all on each person's own perspective and views on it. This type of events is happening everywhere. For example in money market, some gd investment reviews are proposed to the public and pple blindly follow. Because in actual fact nobody knows exactly how the markets moves.
ReplyDeleteWe should learn to be media literate, and not trust the media wholeheartedly. Audience nowadays are more educated, and hence, they will check out news from different sources, not just say, from the internet. The media can be a powerful tool if misused, but it can also be a watchdog to prevent worst things from happening.
ReplyDeleteThe mass media is so conveniently placed in front of us. When we wake up, we conveniently pick up the newspapers on our table and read. We turn on the radio and listen. We turn on the TV and watch the news. They are so easy and convenient. It is difficult for us to look at something so convenient and say that it is wrong and painstakingly go and find new information. It is hard to be media literate.
ReplyDeleteI would say each to his/her own discretion. Many a times, we tend to believe what we actually see and hear. Even though, there may be aspects within us that we do not believe what is portrayed in the media as the truth, certain elements inside us undeniably choose to believe. Why? Because of our senses. Nonetheless, that's just a thought. On the hindsight, that part of me that choose not to believe, because media is also a capitalization of man!
ReplyDelete