Write a well-developed paper that explores the mass communication topic: Quiz Show Scandal
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Quiz Show Scandal: A Dark Chapter in Mass Communication
Introduction
The Quiz Show Scandal of the 1950s stands as a significant event in the history of mass communication. This scandal involved the revelation that several popular quiz shows were rigged, undermining the trust and integrity of the television industry. This essay aims to explore the Quiz Show Scandal and its impact on mass communication, discussing the factors that led to the scandal, its consequences, and the lessons learned from this dark chapter in broadcasting history.
Body
1. Factors Leading to the Scandal
The Quiz Show Scandal was fueled by various factors that contributed to its occurrence:
a. Competition and Ratings: The intense competition among television networks for ratings and advertising revenue played a significant role. Networks were desperate for popular programs that would attract a large audience, leading them to prioritize entertainment value over authenticity and fairness.
b. Producers’ Influence: The producers of quiz shows sought to maximize profits and manipulate outcomes to maintain viewer interest. They exerted control over the contestants, providing them with answers or instructing them to intentionally lose for dramatic effect.
2. Consequences of the Scandal
The Quiz Show Scandal had far-reaching consequences for both the television industry and public trust in mass communication:
a. Loss of Credibility: The scandal shattered the credibility of quiz shows and the television industry as a whole. Viewers felt betrayed by their favorite programs, leading to a decline in trust and a skepticism towards media authenticity.
b. Regulatory Response: In response to the scandal, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) initiated investigations and implemented stricter regulations. These regulations aimed to prevent future fraud and ensure transparency in broadcasting.
3. Lessons Learned
The Quiz Show Scandal served as a wake-up call for the television industry and led to important lessons being learned:
a. Importance of Ethics: The scandal highlighted the need for ethical practices in mass communication. It emphasized that media organizations have a responsibility to provide accurate information while maintaining the trust of their audience.
b. Regulation and Oversight: The scandal demonstrated the necessity of regulatory oversight to prevent abuses in mass communication. The FCC’s response showed that strong regulations can help maintain integrity and fairness in broadcasting.
c. Impact on Programming: The scandal also had a lasting impact on programming decisions, prompting networks to prioritize authenticity and educational content over sensationalism. This shift led to the rise of news and documentary programs that focused on informing the public rather than solely entertaining them.
Conclusion
The Quiz Show Scandal of the 1950s remains a dark chapter in the history of mass communication. It revealed the extent to which producers were willing to go for ratings and profits, ultimately betraying the trust of viewers. However, this scandal also led to important lessons being learned, emphasizing the need for ethical practices, regulatory oversight, and programming that prioritizes authenticity and education. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of mass communication, it is vital to remember the Quiz Show Scandal as a cautionary tale, ensuring that integrity and transparency remain at the forefront of our media industry.
