It is often said that the best way to learn foreign country is to read newspaper and magazines. Although newspapers and magazines provide people with useful information, I disagree with the above statement for the following reasons. The rationale behind this is that interacting with the locals and taking part in cultural activities are the best method. Moreover, mass media such as newspaper and magazines is not reliable as it attempts to make stories more provocative to make a profits.
To begin with, there may be better way to learn about a country other than reading newspaper. Instead, method, such as interacting with the locals and taking part in cultural activities could be better to learn about a country because they are more interactive, dynamic and interesting. According to a study by Harvard University in 2007, two group were put into a project to gauge the understanding level in a foreign country. Group A had to read newspaper about foreign country, and Group B was assigned to go and actually interact with the natives. After a week, a survey was done and the results showed that Group A has a lower level of accuracy in understanding the country's culture. The study show that hands-on experience is a more effective way to fully understand a country.
On top of that, the newspaper is not reliable as it attempt to make stories look colorful and dramatic. This is mainly because it wants draw in more viewers or readers so that it can maximize profit. As a result, the newspaper often provide sensationalized information that catches people's attention to accomplish these aims. For example, one newspapers in Korea had to apologize to readers for its exaggerated report on kimchi which is the korea traditional food. It had reported that kimchi was produced in very filthy and unhealthful environments. The truth was that only a small number of businesses produced kimch in unclean surrounding, but the newspaper deliberately exaggerated this incident. Because of this false report, most of foreigner stopped buying kimchi, and many kimchi businesses had to close down. As this incident reveals, the newspaper often magnifies stories and provide distorted information, sometimes with disastrous results. Thus, the newspaper is not effective way to learn about a country. |