TAKING CARE OF STATE PROPERTY

Most people protect and preserve what belongs to them, but refuse to take good care of state property. Since it is considered as belonging to the state, little or no attention is given to what is owned by the state.

The attitude of Ghanaians towards state property is when the state owns nobody owns and when nobody owns nobody cares. However, act 41(f) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states clearly that"it is the duty of every citizen to protect and preserve public property expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property",but many people especially those in public sector ignore this constitutional obligation and do otherwise. 

State properties are given to public officials to enable them discharge their duties but majority of them do not take proper care of these properties. There is also the nuisance of students and individuals who violently destroy state property during demonstrations. 

As we enjoy and exercise our rights and freedoms as Ghanaians,we owe mother Ghana a duty to preserve and protect whatever belongs to her. We must also understand that,our own taxes are used in purchasing whatever we need as a state and social amenities like roads,schools,hospitals and indeed whatever we call state property are provided by us. Therefore the earlier we take good care of state property the better.

HYPODERMIC NEEDLE THEORY( Mass Communication)

The Hypodermic Needle Theory,which is also known as the magic Bullet Theory is the major communication model concerning the effect of the mass media on society.This theory originated around the 1920s and is a theory based upon an all powerful media with the same and direct effect on the mass.This theory contends the masses as receivers who accept the message they receive without considering its merits and possible effects.The Magic Bullet Theory holds that,the media could shape public opinion by sending persuasive messages.This theory implies that,the mass media has a direct,immediate and powerful effect on the mass.This is evident in the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda,when Valerie Bemeriki a journalist,urged Hutus to slaughter Tutis during the Genocide.He said"Do not kill those cockroaches with a bullet,cut them to pieces with a machete".He used radio to send this message across and this caused the death of most Rwandans during the Genocide.

Moreover,the theory also implies that,messages strike the masses equally causing a uniform thinking among them.Harold Lasswell(1927)theorized that the new mass media could directly influence and sway public opinion.The new mass media,radio and television is capable of influencing individuals behavior and able to convert existing attitudes and can move people to adopt behaviours and opinions promoted in the messages broadcasted.The theory indicates that,messages are able to strike individuals directly like bullet penetrating in a person's body hence the name Magic Bullet Theory.The message after penetrating the body of a receiver,is able to cause immediate reactions.For instance,when products are advertised in the media,it quickly penetrates through the masses and a quick response is generated in favour of some of these products.In a nutshell,it cannot be gainsaid that the media has a great influence on the masses.

Mass Communication

State the functions of the media and briefly explain why these functions fall under economic,political and social?
1.Economic functions of the media includes:
a.employment
b.publicity and advertising
c.mobilizing people
These functions fall under economic because economically the function of the media relates to trade,industry and the management of money.

2.Political roles of the media includes:
a.watch dog
b.mouth piece of the people
c.gate keeper
d.criticizing
e.agenda setting
f.`serves as agents for change
g.propagandists
Politically,the function of the media relates to governance,politics and public affairs of a country.

3.These are some of social functions of the media:
a.creates awareness
b.serves as a mediator
c.entertains the public
d.educates the public
e.informs the public
f.provides a platform for everyone
g.cultural integration
h.agents of socialization
i.maintenance of relationship
j.promotes human rights
k.keeps historical records
l.serves as motivators
Socially,the function of the media relates to human society and its organization and the quality of people`s lives and social issues such as education and human rights.