Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person
This blog is written as a response to a reflective task assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad. It offers a critical analysis of the given topic while expressing my personal insights and interpretations.
For more details, you can explore the teacher’s blog by visiting the link provided. Click Here.
1. Relationship Between Media and Power in Contemporary Society
Media and power are closely connected in today’s world. The media does not simply report facts—it also decides how those facts are presented and whose voices are heard. Through selective coverage, ownership control, and framing, media often supports the interests of those in power.
For example, large media houses are owned by business corporations that have strong political ties. This ownership influences what issues get highlighted and what gets ignored. On television or social media, certain political parties or celebrities receive positive coverage while opposing voices are shown negatively or not at all.
In my observation, even social media algorithms reinforce this relationship. They show users posts that match their opinions, creating echo chambers where only one side of a story is visible. This allows power structures to stay strong, as people rarely question the system or seek multiple perspectives.
In short, the media becomes a powerful tool that shapes public opinion, maintains authority, and limits critical thought by controlling what is seen, said, and believed.
2. The Idea of a “Truly Educated Person” and Media Literacy
A truly educated person is not someone who merely collects information or earns degrees, but someone who learns to think independently, question assumptions, and explore new perspectives. This view challenges the traditional idea of education as rote learning or memorization.
Instead of accepting ready-made knowledge, a truly educated person learns how to discover knowledge—how to ask questions like “Who is saying this?” or “Why am I being told this story in this way?” Such curiosity leads to intellectual freedom and creativity.
Qualities of a Truly Educated Person Today
Critical Media Awareness – They analyze how media messages are made, who benefits from them, and what viewpoints are missing.
Independent Thinking – They form their own opinions after exploring different sources.
Ethical and Social Awareness – They understand how media influences social attitudes and act responsibly while consuming or sharing information.
Interdisciplinary Curiosity – They connect ideas from culture, politics, psychology, and technology to understand complex media influences.
Lifelong Learning – They continue questioning and learning beyond formal education.
In our media-driven world, being truly educated means being media literate—the ability to decode and critique messages rather than accepting them blindly.
3. Media Representation, Cultural Identities, and Resistance
Media plays a huge role in forming how we see ourselves and others. The way it portrays gender, class, race, caste, or religion directly shapes cultural identity. Often, marginalized groups are shown through stereotypes or are excluded from mainstream stories altogether.
For instance, entertainment media tends to idealize urban lifestyles, fair skin, and upper-class culture while rural, tribal, or lower-caste identities appear in limited or negative roles. Such portrayals reinforce social hierarchies and make discrimination seem “normal.”
However, media can also become a space of resistance. Independent filmmakers, social media activists, and alternative news pages now challenge these dominant narratives. For example, online platforms like YouTube or Instagram allow underrepresented voices to share their own stories and perspectives. When used critically, media can empower people to question inequality and promote social change.
Thus, media has a double power—it can either maintain dominance or help dismantle it, depending on who uses it and how.
4. Personal Reflection on Media Consumption
In my daily life, I consume media constantly—through social networks, streaming platforms, and online news. Without realizing it, this affects what I believe, buy, and even how I view others. For example, seeing curated “perfect” lifestyles online sometimes creates pressure to achieve unrealistic standards. Similarly, news headlines can influence how I feel about social or political issues before I read the full story.
Recognizing this, I have learned to approach media more critically. Before sharing or believing something, I check multiple sources, notice bias in language, and reflect on what may be hidden or exaggerated.
This conscious approach to media use helps develop self-awareness and independent judgment—the real signs of a truly educated person. By questioning media instead of passively consuming it, one can resist manipulation, make informed decisions, and think freely in a world full of powerful narratives.
Media, culture, and education are deeply linked. Media shapes how we see the world, but education teaches us how to question that vision. A truly educated person is not one who accepts what is shown but one who asks why it is shown, who benefits, and what is missing. Only through critical thinking and media literacy can we navigate the modern world intelligently and ethically.
Media, culture, and education are deeply linked. Media shapes how we see the world, but education teaches us how to question that vision. A truly educated person is not one who accepts what is shown but one who asks why it is shown, who benefits, and what is missing. Only through critical thinking and media literacy can we navigate the modern world intelligently and ethically.
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