Implementation: Utilizing the Media and Internet

In the process of making visible our goal of inclusiveness in policy generation, we examined the different methods by which we can bring awareness to certain thoughts and recommendations.

In our society television, radio and the internet have become the predominant modes of information delivery and exchange. Canadians are increasingly choosing homegrown news and public affairs shows over other programming on Canadian television, according to latest data on television viewing. (http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/050331/d050331b.htm) Just over 15 million individuals aged 18 or older were estimated to have accessed the Internet from home for personal non-business reasons, this is about 90% of all Internet users. (http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/060815/d060815b.htm) It falls to reason then that utilizing all three main sources of information is a reasonable step in the attempt of generating awareness about an issue.

We cannot discount the impact of the media, not only on the general population, but on family life and, consequently, on teenagers. Television in particular has become a focal point of family activities and entertainment, and has grown so powerful that many of us simply no longer have to think for ourselves. With families strapped by very real pressures, television, the internet and radio stations catering to adolescents through music have assumed the new responsibility of determining what is important and what isn’t. (Teenage Drinking, P.17)

Sharing our impressions on the importance of including younger individuals or youth in policy making, in particular when the policy is in regards to youth, is paramount in the endeavor of attaining support in an implementation process.