The mass media is a force that is instrumental in both reflecting

The mass media is a force that is instrumental in both reflecting

The mass media is a force that is instrumental in both reflecting

culture and creating it. The media has a strong focus on competitive team sprots; particularly strong is coverage of football, baseball and basketball. Two hypotheses explain this strong sprots-focus. Hypothesis #1 tells us that strong participation as a sports fan helps people to connect with one another. The media serves to reflect this aspect of sports. This helps society with social solidarity. Hypothesis #2 tells us that the media serves the powerful in society, enabling them to maintain power through the influence sports have on cherished values such as patriotism, competition and American ideals. The media helps to create who we are and thereby maintain the social inequality in society. Which hypothesis would your assigned group (structural functional, social conflict, symbolic interaction) support? Why? Do you agree or disagree with your theory?