As what has been and is being inculcated in our minds since time immemorial, we have a pyramid like income distribution structure, wherein only a few comprises the top. If you want to attract advertisers, you should think about what the "mass" wants. This is reflected in by today's media whose content is full of shows that media practitioners deem can interest the mass.
What is interesting here, however, is that some shows which are deemed "public service programs" which is ideally for the "public good" exploits the mass rather than helps them. An example of which may be TV5's Face to Face.
It's purpose is to reconcile parties with them airing out their grievances in the show. Elites behind these shows claiming that it exist for the public good are doing nothing other than poke fun at common people and get revenue through ads from them.
The question here is: "Why are the elites invisible in today's media?" By elites here, I'm referring to Ayalas, Pangilinans, etc. Is it really because of ratings or is there other reasons like maybe hegemony? Or is it another way to show their difference with the common tao?
I highly doubt Henry Sy, Lopez, or even Pangilinan even watch Face to Face. From this perspective, they seem more like puppeteers with the media as their box. On second thought, they seem more like the people paying the puppeteers.
Wouldn't it be nice to see them in the airwaves as the puppets for a change? I, for one, would definitely watch Henry Sy and Manny Pangilinan battle it out in face to face. Ano kayang gagawin nila? Magsasampalan ng pera? Anong title nung episode? Maybe something on the lines of Face to Face episode titles like "Tortang Talong Menudo" or "Jowa ko inagaw ng bading"
To offer a more pessimistic view:
ReplyDeleteThe easy answer is: why should you let yourself be shamed and ridiculed in mass media instead of other people?
You could say that the disparaging perception of the upper class towards the more "rambunctious and indelicate" participants of shows such as Face to Face is a factor. Or they're too horrified at the possibility that their image would be tarnished when someone starts pulling at wigs/hair extensions. God forbid if a nail should be broken, because that implies walang class, walang modo.
And why should the elite acknowledge that grievances exist? The art of diplomacy has probably been instilled in them for years. Better to smile at your enemies and use or break them later on with no one the wiser than to air it out in nationwide television and have the national newspapers and tabloids poke fun at you and discredit your name. Your name means everything in advancing your interests -- all the more reason to take care of it when you have everything to lose.