I know that MTV is constantly in our minds as students (I can't go to the cafeteria without listening to MTVu assaulting me with all kinds of music I usually don't like), but I would hardly say that they make as much of an impact as this article says they do.

I would make an exception for their HIV Awareness campaign, since my generation seems to be fairly promiscuous and preventing AIDS is extremely important, but in other areas MTV makes activism seem like it involves kicking back and watching an episode of Sucker Free Sunday after having slept on a sidewalk last night to show you know what Invisible Children is.

Ian is right. Today's youth WILL watch a hip hop video and still go to church on Sunday, but that doesn't necessarily make that split a good thing. It just means that people are complacent and largely unconcerned, and if MTV is really into moving its viewership to action, they will make more shows about world news and ways to be involved, and fewer shows about how awesome being 18-24 is (or, more realistically, 12-20).

Although, I have no problem with MTV not doing that. They are an entertainment network, and they are good at entertainment. They just shouldn't claim to be a reliable source of politics and news.

/endrant