My First Post

Hello!

My name is Noelle Schmidt. I was born and raised in West Salem, Oregon, and currently reside in Corvallis, where I am a full-time student at Oregon State University. I am also a proud member of Alpha Phi. This term, my father encouraged me to enroll at Linn-Benton Community College, believing it to be a financially sound decision. In high school, I held leadership roles as the Junior Spirit Officer and later as the Senior Vice President. Being involved in student leadership was one of my most rewarding experiences, as it provided me the opportunity to speak at every assembly, fostering my passion for public speaking.

After graduating, I decided to take a gap year and obtained my real estate license. During this time, I worked at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Professionals, where I acquired a strong foundation in marketing and personal branding. Although I no longer work there for personal reasons, I applied the skills I developed to focus on cultivating my own personal brand. Over the summer, I dedicated time to enhancing my social media presence, particularly on Instagram, growing my following to nearly four thousand. I have developed a deep interest in the data-driven aspects of social media, especially the analytics behind each post. Through this course, I hope to deepen my understanding of media trends and leverage this knowledge to further advance my career in social media management.

In terms of media consumption, my three primary sources are TikTok, Instagram, and traditional news outlets. Growing up, my household was constantly tuned to the news, with programs from Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN playing throughout the day. My mother, a retired news anchor for CBS and KOIN TV, instilled in me a deep respect for the media, and the importance of staying informed about current events. I was taught that knowledge is power, and staying up to date on the world around us was essential.

However, I have observed a shift in how media is consumed by my generation. As a member of Generation Z, I find that TikTok has become an increasingly dominant platform for news and information, even though much of the content is not verified. While TikTok allows for rapid dissemination of information, it also raises concerns about misinformation. I believe that traditional news outlets remain more reliable than social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), which can often be breeding grounds for rumors and unfounded claims. Over time, I have noticed a growing distrust in the media, especially following the 2016 U.S. election. Public figures, particularly in the political sphere, have further fueled this skepticism by openly criticizing news outlets. This mistrust has led to a divided media landscape where some individuals selectively consume media that aligns with their personal beliefs, rather than seeking objective truth.

One of the most pressing issues in today’s media environment is the rise of “deep fakes” and “fake news,” which can significantly impact public perception and individual lives. Since the 2016 election, the distrust in media outlets has been exacerbated by political figures who question the integrity of the press. As a result, many Americans have become more skeptical of traditional media sources, and this has led to an increasingly polarized society. From my unbiased perspective, there is a noticeable trend of partisan bias in the media, particularly with how conservative viewpoints are often portrayed. In many cases, the portrayal of Republicans in the media can be harmful, creating narratives that depict them as outcasts or extremists. Similarly, the media’s treatment of liberals can sometimes be equally damaging, reinforcing stereotypes and divisive rhetoric.

The consequences of “fake news” are far-reaching. It is not just about distorted political narratives; it also affects personal relationships. For instance, the assertion that someone is racist simply because they voted for a particular candidate, or that liberals are hypocrites for supporting abortion but opposing the death penalty, is a harmful oversimplification. These reductive narratives contribute to an atmosphere of division rather than fostering constructive dialogue. It is crucial for individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter, rather than hastily accepting it as truth. By promoting a culture of thoughtful analysis and media literacy, we can combat misinformation and move toward a more informed and unified society.