the effects of mass communication

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 12 views

MEDIA DISPOSE AND COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE LEVEL: Correlational Study of the Effects of Media Exposure About the Case "Flu H1N1" on Television on Community Anxiety Levels in Helvetia Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra

Introduction

In today's world, the media plays a vital role in shaping public perception and anxiety, particularly when it comes to health issues. Television, in particular, has a significant influence on how people perceive and respond to health crises. This study aims to investigate the effects of media exposure about the H1N1 flu case on television on community anxiety levels in Helvetia Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.

Theoretical Foundation

This study is grounded in various theoretical frameworks, including communication theory, mass communication, the effects of mass communication, and cultivation theory. These theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how media exposure can shape public perception and anxiety. Specifically, cultivation theory reveals how the exposure of the media can shape the public's view of certain reality, while the S-O-R (stimulus organism response theory) shows how the stimulus of the media can affect the emotional response of individuals.

Methodology

This study employed a correlational method, which aims to assess the relationship between media exposure and the level of anxiety. The targeted population was the people of Helvetia Village, and a sample of 99 people was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. The "Accidental Sampling" sampling technique was used to select the research samples.

Data Analysis

Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 15.0, and the results showed a correlation coefficient value of 0.495. By referring to the Guilford scale, this result indicates a significant influence between media exposure and the level of public anxiety. This means that the information conveyed through television contributes to increasing public anxiety about the spread of the H1N1 virus in their environment.

Implications

The results of this study have significant implications for policy makers and stakeholders. When people experience high anxiety due to the information they receive, this can have an impact on mental health and community behavior. Excessive anxiety can cause excessive preventive measures or, on the contrary, indifferent attitudes towards health risks. Therefore, a better understanding of the influence of the media and the way the community processes health information is very important for policy makers and stakeholders in order to develop more effective health communication strategies.

Conclusion

This study shows that the mass media, especially television, plays an important role in shaping public perceptions of health issues. Therefore, it is essential for journalists and policy makers to present information in a way that is not only accurate but also considers the emotional impact that may be caused by the community. At the time of a pandemic or disease outbreak, this understanding becomes more crucial to maintain the mental health of the community and encourage appropriate preventive measures.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Media literacy: The community should be educated on how to critically evaluate the information presented in the media, particularly during health crises.
Accurate reporting: Journalists and policy makers should strive to present accurate and balanced information about health issues, avoiding sensationalism and speculation.
Emotional impact: The emotional impact of media coverage on the community should be considered when presenting information about health issues.
Health communication strategies: Policy makers and stakeholders should develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The sample size of 99 people may not be representative of the entire community.
Sampling technique: The "Accidental Sampling" sampling technique may not be the most effective method for selecting research samples.
Data analysis: The data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 15.0, which may not be the most up-to-date software.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the effects of social media on community anxiety levels: Social media has become an increasingly important source of information, and its impact on community anxiety levels should be investigated.
Develop more effective health communication strategies: Policy makers and stakeholders should develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety.
Explore the role of community leaders in health communication: Community leaders play a crucial role in shaping public perception and anxiety, and their role in health communication should be explored.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Media Disposal and Community Anxiety Levels

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of media exposure about the H1N1 flu case on television on community anxiety levels in Helvetia Village, Sunggal District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for accurate reporting during health crises. It also emphasizes the emotional impact of media coverage on the community and the need for effective health communication strategies.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include a small sample size, the use of the "Accidental Sampling" sampling technique, and the use of SPSS version 15.0 for data analysis.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy makers and stakeholders?

A: The implications of this study for policy makers and stakeholders are that they should develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety. They should also educate the community on how to critically evaluate the information presented in the media, particularly during health crises.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study include:

Media literacy: The community should be educated on how to critically evaluate the information presented in the media, particularly during health crises.
Accurate reporting: Journalists and policy makers should strive to present accurate and balanced information about health issues, avoiding sensationalism and speculation.
Emotional impact: The emotional impact of media coverage on the community should be considered when presenting information about health issues.
Health communication strategies: Policy makers and stakeholders should develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety.

Q: What are the future research directions of this study?

A: The future research directions of this study include:

Investigating the effects of social media on community anxiety levels: Social media has become an increasingly important source of information, and its impact on community anxiety levels should be investigated.
Developing more effective health communication strategies: Policy makers and stakeholders should develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety.
Exploring the role of community leaders in health communication: Community leaders play a crucial role in shaping public perception and anxiety, and their role in health communication should be explored.

Q: What are the practical implications of this study?

A: The practical implications of this study are that it highlights the need for policy makers and stakeholders to develop more effective health communication strategies that take into account the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety. It also emphasizes the importance of media literacy and the need for accurate reporting during health crises.

Q: What are the theoretical implications of this study?

A: The theoretical implications of this study are that it provides a better understanding of the influence of the media on public perception and anxiety. It also highlights the importance of considering the emotional impact of media coverage on the community when presenting information about health issues.

Q: What are the limitations of the theoretical framework used in this study?

A: The limitations of the theoretical framework used in this study include the fact that it is based on a limited number of theories and does not take into account other factors that may influence public perception and anxiety.

Q: What are the future research directions of the theoretical framework used in this study?

A: The future research directions of the theoretical framework used in this study include:

Developing a more comprehensive theoretical framework: A more comprehensive theoretical framework that takes into account other factors that may influence public perception and anxiety should be developed.
Investigating the effects of other factors on public perception and anxiety: Other factors that may influence public perception and anxiety, such as social media and community leaders, should be investigated.
Exploring the role of other variables in health communication: Other variables that may play a role in health communication, such as cultural and socioeconomic factors, should be explored.