Media Analysis

          In today's modern era, we are completely surrounded by media. We are constantly on our computers and cell phones looking videos, articles, pictures, and much more. One of the benefits of the over-exposure of media in our world today is being able to hear and see the voices of people of the past. Although the Fair Labor Standards Act was put in place in 1938, people are still able to access informative and interactive information about it through the media. When Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office as the President of the United States from 1933-1945, he developed his "Fireside Chats", which was a was for the President to inform the public about changes in the government. On June 23rd, 192, FDR released a chat about the FLS, which "we call the Wage Isnt Ours bill" (Fireside Chat 13pt1, Youtube). This media sample is a recording of Roosevelt's voice from 1939, and a picture of him posing at his desk. His words led the public to believe that the Fair Labor Standards Act is one of the best pieces of legislation that the United States has ever seen. "Without question, it starts us toward a better standard of living" (FDR, 2:50, youtube). The use of radio at the time of the New Deal was crucial because it was something that everyone could access, therefore making Americans believe that they were involved in the politics of the US. Because the information is told directly by the President of the United States, we are forced to accept his word as truth, rather than being able to see how the piece was developed in the first place. 

          Because the Fair Labor Standards Act is still extremely relevant to workers in the United States today, there is a continuing discussion about its policies today. Over the last 75 years, different problems have arisen under the FLSA rules and regulations. For example, there is a constant discussion about the payment of working 'overtime', and how one is protected under the FLSA policy of being paid 'time and a half'. More recently in the United States, the concept of suing (or filing a lawsuit) because of injustice is much more popular. In the media clip, "Fair Labor Standards Act", Jennifer George explains the more recent risks of lawsuits when paying workers (or not paying workers) for overtime. "An employee related lawsuit, or liability under the FLSA, can be initiated two ways: It can be initiated by an inspection (thats by the Wage and Hour division of the Department of Labor), or an employee can initiate a lawsuit on their own behalf, and the damages can be excessive" (George, 00:03:00). This video, like many other clips from the internet, is an informative discussion on how an average American can understand their place and rights under the FLSA. Jennifer George, the woman in the video, is an employment lawyer at the Isaac Brant Ledman & Teetor Law firm in Ohio, which is a respectable position form which viewers can respect. 
          Generally, the majority of the media information about the Fair Labor Standards Act are informational seminars and lectures about how to protect yourself under the policies of the FLSA. One film, titled "Webinar: Top 10 Myths About Fair Labor Standards Act", discussed how working people in the United States today can understand how to carefully protect themselves against policies mentioned in the FLSA. Since it is a "Webinar", or a web seminar, all people with the internet or a computer can access this information. The National Federation of Independent Business developed this Youtube video to educate the average American about pay rates.

           Since the development of the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, there have been many adjustments and questions about its policies. Most media films are developed to educate the general public about the FLSA, how it impacts the business world, and how to protect yourself and others under (and against) its laws.