Essay On The Impact Of Mass Media On Society

Since the beginning days of the nation, mass media has created a dramatic impact on the economic, political, and social life of the United States and American society. Mass media is a way to give information to a large audience that may not have been aware of the information being shared. Examples of the media include newspapers, pamphlets, books, posters, magazines, radio, photographs, films, and television. While some mass media impacted the United States and/or American society in a positive way, others impacted it in a negative way. During the early 20th century, contaminated milk, water, and food caused many foodborne infections. For example, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and botulism. In 1900, the occurance of typhoid fever was approximately 100 per 100,000

There were 300-400 cases diagnosed every year, following 10-20 deaths. Regulation of the meatpacking industry began in 1906 after President Theodore Roosevelt read a book by Upton Sinclair about the dangers of the working class and the corruption of the meatpacking industry. In 1906 Upton Sinclair wrote “The Jungle” with the hope of turning America from capitalism to socialism. Upton Sinclair believed as many others did at that time, that capitalism was evil and that socialism was the answer to end it. Upton Sinclair wrote his novel “The Jungle” that described the issues with the food industry. The main issue was the the unhealthy and cruel working environment in the Chicago meat-packing industry and the unsanitary conditions under which food was produced. In the early 1900’s enforcing common things like hand washing, cleaning tools, using first aid to cover wounds and requiring the use of hairnets were unheard of. Therefore the meat was often contaminated with dirt, sweat, human hair and even human blood. The machinery being used to procces the meat was also an issue. There were many reports of workers falling into rendering tanks and being