MEDIA VS. MIND: Liberty Airmen educated on influence

Published Sept. 16, 2011
By Senior Airman Tiffany M. Deuel
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - -- Dr. Jackson Katz, a subject matter expert for bystander intervention training, educated Airmen on BIT and the correlation between media and the mind at the base theater on Sept. 15-16, 2011.

The training targets men to instill a sense of ownership in sexual abuse situations.

"I hope to strengthen their commitment to do whatever they can to help," said Dr. Katz. "I want to create a climate in the Air Force where sexual assault is seen as everyone's problem."

Through various video clips, he demonstrates the media's influence.

"The average person sees 100,000 beer commercials before they are 18," said Katz.

He explained how people may think media has no influence on their decisions, but those assumptions are wrong.

"People say 'commercials don't have any influence over me', so you're telling me these companies spend billions of dollars on advertisements for no effect?" said Katz.

The methods he uses can be eye-opening for those who do not realize the impact of the commercials or images they see on a daily basis.

"I look at commercials blindfolded," said Staff Sgt. Robert Chafin, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels administrator. "This has opened my eyes to what I am actually seeing."

Dr. Katz has worked with the Air Force for five years and visited RAF Lakenheath to make Airmen aware that media impacts their decisions, unless they learn to think critically.

"Dr. Katz has done a lot of research in culture and how it affects who we are and how we treat others," said Maj. Aimee Gregg, 48th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "The goal with BIT is to change Air Force culture, and without personal changes in Airmen's lives, education is the only way to change their values."