I found this fantastic article in the New York Times breaking down some research on how television influences audiences - educational programming like Sesame Street can increase IQs and higher social competence, decreases in reading due to increases in television watching can decrease IQ, sticking to a particular channel makes you more likely to vote a certain way, and high-quality content can inspire social change.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/upshot/social-effects-television.html
But it was sad to read to the end, where it basically said with so much competition, producers are rarely thinking about the effects on their audiences.
"Still, media providers and advertisers compete aggressively for our attention. Most lack the altruistic motivations that guided the producers of the original “Sesame Street.” The evidence from social science suggests that biased or sensationalist news programs may misinform citizens or discourage civic engagement and that we should also be cautious about what we give up for the sake of entertainment."
So, I'm curious, my fellow producers - what do you do to keep in mind your message for your audience knowing that it can profoundly affect them? What compromises have cost you your message?
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This is a good read/watch - so important. Thanks for sharing!