THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE SHADOW OF THE MEDIA

Abstract

This paper aims to shed light on the phenomenon of the media-distorted image of reality under the influence of the so-called media propaganda model of globalism in the area of quality of life.

For nearly a decade, European and world sources continuously testify on the catastrophic position of Serbia on the scale of prosperous countries in terms of poverty. Regardless of parameters taken into account, Serbia is always closer to the bottom in comparison to EU countries and its potential members.

The media image of such situation shows that the media is extensively using the method of pandering to political officials, interviewing only the government representatives, without being interested in the opinion of directly endangered citizens. There is hardly any journalist initiative to cover the issue of poverty and quality of life. It is present in media in only six percent of cases. When it comes to TV programs, which are the most influential on domestic public opinion, every eleventh article is related to the field of quality of life.

Although the data shows that the number of those living below the poverty line goes up to 700.000, the absence of media initiative and the coverage of only events and pseudo-events in relation with it, significantly demobilizes the activism of the entire society, and with an accentuated propaganda about life and success, it manages to narcotize the public, creating a somewhat absurd situation where people trust media more than their own experience. The narcotization of the people is achieved through the psychological shock doctrine, and the communication method of mass seduction by drawing attention on sports, humor and other entertaining media content, that creates a person who rejects the need for critical judgment, adopting only what is simplified by the media.