Billboards, magazines, commercials, bus stops, radio, online, newspapers - advertising is everywhere and issues focusing on the ethical and moral position of such advertisements will always be thrust into the media spotlight. Lecture 8 focused on this issue.
After being shown several advertisements, students were asked to grade each sample as ethical or unethical, and good taste or poor taste. It was obvious that the student opinion was divided. The ethical standing and tastefulness of each ad was rated by each student based upon their own personal opinion. This variable guarantees a range of responses.
The lecture discussed three ethics theories - deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. Deontology focuses on the place of rules, principles, and duties (all ethics codes are deontological) and the idea that ethical issues are generally a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. Consequentialism is the idea that getting a 'good' or 'right' outcome is all that matters, regardless of how it is achieved (the end may justify the means). Finally, virtue ethics centre around the belief that goodness (or happiness) comes from good dispositions or habits of character. These habits are 'virtues' such as couragem justice, temperance, and prudence, and are the 'golden mean' of behaviour.
The lecture opened students up to the world of ethics in the media and allowed us to understand the thought, beliefs, and control behind everyday advertisements.
I quite enjoyed the examples that were shown during the lecture and found myself revisiting my own initial impressions of the advertisements when I was exposed to them upon release. It was interesting to see how my opinion weighed up against that of my cohort and the official board responsible for reviewing such media.
The ninth lecture focused on news values.
It was explained that news values are not constant across different cultures and countries and often relate to such structures as the 'inverted pyramid'.
"If it bleeds, it leads."
This news value is exceptionally popular in major news outlets. Violence, death, and human tragedy will always 'sell' faster than positive stories, and it is unlikely that this trend will ever fade.
The darling Professor Johan Galtung penned what he perceived to be the 12 (plus) factors of news worthiness. The list consisted of the following:
Negativity
Closeness to home (proximity)
Recency
Currency
Continuity
Uniqueness
Simplicity
Personality
Expectedness (predictability)
Elite nations or people
Exclusivity
Size
A fabulous list, no doubt. Personally, the list seems like more of an ingredients list for a News Cake - the ingredients (on their own) are tasty, but boring. The right combination of ingredients? A Masterchef quality cuisine. Delish.
Cillian Murphy haunts me in his Scarecrow mask from 'Batman Begins', Steve Buscemi and his arraignment of characters give me the royal heebeejeebies, and Bruce Wayne is a distant memory when I remember Christian Bale's murderous Patrick Bateman from 'American Psycho', but despite some of the great actors on my list (Jack Nicholson, Tobin Bell, Christopher Walken, Bela Lugosi, Sir Christopher Lee, the list goes on), Williem Dafoe takes the cake. I think it may have been his portrayal of the Green Goblin in the 2002 film, 'Spiderman',or perhaps he just has one of those faces, but Mr Dafoe has scared the socks off me since I can remember. His voice? His eyes? His nasolabial fold perhaps (yes, unfortunately I do know what smile lines are called - thank you Sims 3). The man has more talent than creep however, so I say all that I do with the utmost respect.
I don't scare easily and, being an avid watcher of horror films, I look for the thrill of it, so Williem Dafoe you crazy cat, I award you with the highest of fives. Well played, old chap.
My love for film and TV is not a normal one. When I find a series I love, I am drawn in completely - the script, the characters, the plot developments; everything about a well designed story is irresistible to me.
I have a rather interesting list of my favourite worlds. From my childhood loves of Harry Potter and Doctor Who, to my teenage obsessions with The Hunger Games, Sherlock, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries, the world of make-believe has long since captured my attention.
I admire creativity, I admire passion, I admire vulnerability, and I admire intelligence.
Other viewers who find themselves apart of these worlds (known fondly as 'fandoms') have my utmost respect. Below are my favourite fan created videos. I honestly believe they are magical.
SHERLOCK (BBC)
HARRY POTTER
SUPERNATURAL
SUPERWHOLOCKIN (SUPERNATURAL, DOCTOR WHO, SHERLOCK)
Wolper, A. 2011, "Trial by
Media",Editor &
Publisher,vol. 144, no. 10,
pp. 22-23,35.
Author, Allan
Wolper, is a professor of journalism at Rutgers University, and the host of
"Conversations with Allan Wolper" a podcast on WBGO.org, an NPR
affiliate in the New York area. Wolper has won over 50 journalism prizes and
his ethics columns in Editor & Publisher) have been honoured by The
National Press Club and the New York chapter of the Society of Professional
Journalists (Wolper, 2011). These accomplishments suggest that the author
is both experienced and a reliable source on the topic of ‘professional media,
journalism, and communication’ (the article appears to come from education, not
pure opinion). Wolper’s journal article discusses the notion of ‘trial by
media’ – a concept which focuses on professional media influencing the outcome
of a legal case through the extensive coverage of an incident from one
particular angle. Wolper presents the reader with many examples where ‘trial by
media’ has been apparent. Citing such
cases, the author strengthens the credibility of the journal article and adds
weight to his argument. Despite such
references, however, the strongly opinionated and biased viewpoint from which
the article has been written cannot be ignored.
The ‘Murder
Twist’ report, broadcast by Channel Nine network’s ‘A Current Affair’ program, appears
as an update on the murder case of Queensland mother, Allison Baden-Clay. The report confirms the murder of Baden-Clay but
states that no cause of death has yet been released. The ‘investigation’ focuses on recent
evidence that suggests that Gerard Baden-Clay, husband of the deceased, was
having an affair with a work colleague whilst Allison was alive. The report has been designed to encourage
audiences to question the motives of the husband and his lover. An interview
during the report delivers audiences the following line: “everyone has got a
theory and everyone is playing this game of ‘murder mystery’.” The report challenges the audience to ‘solve
the mystery’. The journalist goes on to state
that “a mum of three young girls disappears, police say it’s murder and that
her killer is someone that she knew. Now
a picture emerges of a marriage in turmoil.”
Footage is then shown of Gerard Baden-Clay entering a police station for
questioning. Interviews with members of
the public highlight how the case affects ‘normal people’. When partnered with the emotive music that is
played throughout the report and the increasingly negative portrayals of Allison’s
husband, Gerard, the intentions of ‘A Current Affair’ are clear. Although the media text presents a factual
report to its audience, the information is carefully selected to play on
particular audience emotions in order to generate the desired reaction. The source is heavily biased, unreliable as a
primary source, and demonstrates ‘trial by media’ in action.
Baskin, B. (2012, May
21). Police continue inquiry into Allison Baden-Clay's
murder despite having suspect. The
Courier-Mail, p. 8.
Brooke
Baskin, author of The Courier-Mail article, presents an accurate recount of the
known information in the case of murdered mother of three, Allison Baden-Clay.
The article is concise, contains neither bias nor opinion, and achieves its
purpose – to inform its audience. Although no credentials or professional
history can be found for the author, Baskin, her employment at The Courier-Mail
and publication of her article suggests that the information is accurate and
reliable. This article corroborates with
the A Current Affair report to an extent, but does not share its opinionated
view and accusatory angle. The article
does not promote the ‘trial by media’ concept but supports the position of professional
media, communication, and journalism within society.
Looking
deeper into the increasingly complicated murder of Allison Baden-Clay, Lisa
Davies, author of The Sydney Morning Herald article, presents a gossip-styled
article stating that “behind the manicured lawns of Brisbane’s western suburbs,
the locals can’t stop talking.” The
article begins emotionless – looking at the insidious events of the past month
with nothing more than superficial interest and the possibility of ‘juicy
gossip’. “It’s an irresistible topic,
murder. But it usually happens somewhere else, to people not from around here,”
Davies’ writes. The author has
manipulated quotes from Allison’s close friends in an attempt to draw in
readers (the title, for example, is taken out of context). Like the video report by A Current Affair,
Davies’ article places focus on the likelihood of the police naming husband,
Gerard Baden-Clay, as a suspect. “Officers have refused to rule out anyone as a suspect....... While
detectives are publicly keeping their options open about a suspect as one of
her closest loved ones, Mr Baden-Clay is automatically under scrutiny”, she
reports. A greater emphasis is placed on
highlighting Gerard Baden-Clay’s behaviour before the discovery of his wife’s
body. He is described as “a bundle of
hand-wringing nerves, tears not quite visible”.
The bias and intended angle is obvious is Lisa Davies’ article. All professional media texts corroborate with one
another, in spite of differing authors, mediums, and news organisations. The intentions of the media is clear, and
they are supported by Allen Wolper’s academic journal article. Despite negative connotations surrounding
the accuracy, legitimacy, and reliability of modern journalism, a common angle amongst
mediums cannot be ignored.
Reference
List
Baskin, B. (2012, May
21). Police continue inquiry into Allison Baden-Clay's
murder despite having suspect. The
Courier-Mail, p. 8.
Davies, L. (2012, May 5). Friend of murdered woman laments: 'She told me things,
I should have done more'. The Sydney Morning
Herald. Retrieved from
It is
unfortunate that I can have the most hilarious of evenings, be content and, on
the odd occasion, happy; I can be in the company of my best friends or be
simply distracted, and yet should I find myself awake after midnight, as if by
clockwork, a great sense of sadness falls over me. I cannot control it, I
cannot stop it.
It is more than
a feeling, more than a creeping sense of loss. It is an undeniable
longing for things that have not been, things that never were, and things that
used to be; for the past and present and future to collide and align in perfect
harmony. It is knowledge, ignorance, and understanding. It
is hope, and it is the absence of that very thing. It is growing old
at eighteen, it is unjustifiable exhaustion, it is love and hate and compassion
and empathy, selfishness and selflessness. It is the end of all
things and the search for the promised open door. I call it saudade.
“Saudade is a Portuguese
and Galician word for a feeling of nostalgic longing for something or someone
that one was fond of and which has been lost. It often carries a fatalist tone
and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return. It was
once described as ‘the love that remains’ or ‘the love that stays’ after
someone is gone.” (source unknown)
Tales of loss
and heart break are always the most difficult to tell. Tales of saudade are
harder.
When I was
fifteen, I met a boy.
When I was sixteen, I fell in love.
When I was seventeen, he broke my heart.
Now, at eighteen
years of age, I have a story to tell.
Most people can
recall their first heart break – the pain, the rejection, the weeks of bad films
and even worse music. A broken heart can often be overlooked, mocked, or
ignored. Often, especially in young adults, it can last several weeks.
Mine sent me
into a twelve month depression.
It is difficult
to know where to begin, for my memory of the past year has melted inwards and the
months can be recognised only by major events. With this in mind, I shall start my story
where all good romance novels refuse to go – the end.
There are three
characters in my tale – the boy, I shall call him ‘J’; the friend, I will call
her ‘S’; and myself. J and I had been friends since we were fifteen. It had
begun as a light, school-girl crush (something I never admitted to at the
time), and as opportunity allowed, we grew closer over the years. We were friends, but everyone knew that it
was more, and everyone was thrilled – we were the “people’s couple” so to speak.
Comments were made by students and teachers alike, hinting that J and myself
would inevitably become ‘an item’. After months of denying our feelings, it became
official. In the days that followed, the
word “finally!” has never been so overused in the history of language.
Many people will
argue that love cannot be understood at such a young age – that the emotion
involved is merely an imitation of the real thing and that it should not be toyed
with. I believe, with all my heart, that at sixteen I was irrevocably, unconditionally,
in love with J. He was my best friend, I trusted him completely, and I became
the best possible version of myself during the months that we were together.
Introducing S.
S was one of my closest girl friends, and had been for many years. We were two completely different people, and
yet somehow, it worked. S and J were always friends. Very, very good friends. I
need not explain the nature of the events which occurred throughout my
relationship with J, but I was assured by both boyfriend and best friend that I
need not worry about their alarmingly close friendship. I trusted them both to
the ends of the Earth, and even after several occasions where my forgiveness
was begged for, I accepted their stories.
I do not think
that it is necessary for me to detail the fall out of a text-book love triangle
– the film industry won’t let us forget what they are about, and so it will
come as no surprise when I reveal that my relationship ended messily, and in
the public eye. I lost my boyfriend, my
best friend, and my emotional stability in one conversation, and once again,
everyone knew. S and J were together almost immediately.
I was in
desperate need of space and time to compose myself and neither was ever offered. J led me on an emotional rollercoaster that –
confessing his love for me, then speaking of S and their ‘connection’. After four months, my trust in people was
shattered, my self esteem had never been so low, I had never been so
disappointed, and eventually, exhaustion kicked in.
In the midst of
my personal dramas, my senior year was suffering. My grades dropped across the board from ‘Very
High Achievements’ to, in some cases, a standard fail. My teachers expressed
their concerns, the distance that I had placed between my friends and I was
nearly irreparable, and I lost control. It was no longer possible for me to hide my
condition and gradually, a small group of people began to notice. I stopped eating, I did not sleep, I refused
to read or write – previously pastimes I had always adored. I stopped playing sport, I found excuses to
not attend friendly gatherings, and I was cruel to my immediate family. After months of pain and rivers of tears, I
opened up to my parents. I have never
felt so supported, so loved, and such relief than I did that evening.
After spending
two weeks at home to try and recuperate, I returned to school with a new
resolve. I forgave S and J, I wished them all the happiness, and after accepting
that the damage done by J would take years to heal, I began to rebuild my
friendship with S.
Honeymoon period is over. Most definitely. In fact, we've completely skipped stage 2: comfort. Now we hate each other. We have now reached the point in the Journalism relationship, where we argue every day, and pick at the petty points of our conversation. This is the beginning of the downhill spiral - the beginning of the end and the rocky bottom of our love affair. Good luck to us both.
In week 6 of JOUR1111, we were taught about the nature of Commercial Media and its place in society. Commercial media, at a glance, includes things such as:
Channel Seven
Channel Nine
Channel Ten
Foxtel
AUSTAR
News Limited
Fairfax Media
Commercial media exists to make profit, and this can be done through movies (20th Century Fox), newspapers (The Australian, Quest Community Newspapers, and The Courier Mail), dating sites (RSVP.com), ticketek.com, ninemsn, magazines (Woman's Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Woman's Day, etc.), radio stations (B105, Triple M), and search engines.
"The first duty [of the media] is to shun the temptations of monopoly. Its primary office is the gathering of news. At the peril of its soul it must see that the supply is not tainted. Neither in what it gives, nor in what it does not give, nor in the mode of presentation must the unclouded face of truth suffer wrong. Comment is free, but facts are sacred."C.P. Scott (Editor / Owner of The Guardian)
The lecture addressed the control that the major commercial media organisations have over what us, as consumers, are exposed to, and the legal and ethical obligations that they have on their path to control.
I was most interested in the information about internet censorship and the extent to which it goes. Censorship is not a new concept, but it was surprising to hear its scope within Australian media (the possibility of Dr. Redman's website being mistake for a porn site was fairly entertaining in itself).
The parallel's drawn between the quality of stories shown on commercial media new programs (such as A Current Affair, and Today Tonight) twenty years ago and today was particularly poignant. The idea of 'dumbing down' the news is an obvious ploy in commercial media today and can be seen in a multitude of outlets. Commercial news is rarely addressed to the curious individual, and I would go as far as to say that it is 'lazy' news, and addresses mediocre issues with cheap stories.
Week 5 of JOUR1111 offered students a chance to listen to radio veteran, Richard Fidler, from ABC's Conversation Hour, speak about his experiences on radio. Richard explained the delicate nature of radio language and the intricate details of conversation that must be observed when speaking to particular guests. Richard explains how important it is to ensure that a radio guest feels at home and comfortable in an interview in order to get them to 'open up', and mentioned the true power of silence.
Steve Austin, the sound lecture's seconds guest, discussed his early life and how he fell into radio. Steve mentions the importance of reflecting a radio audience's interests - and not just your own. Steve's opinions of radio conversation mirror Richard Fidler's almost exactly, and both men highlighted the necessity of a good vocabulary and handle on the English language. Speaking for radio is unlike all other mediums, and offers a more intimate experience to the audience.
Both Richard Fidler and Steve Austin commented on the growing success of radio and it's ability to adapt to new and local mediums (such as podcasting and twitter feeds). This flexibility may be key to the survival of the radio.
John F. Kennedy's flag-draped casket lies in state in Washington, D.C., November 1963
John F. Kennedy's flag-draped casket lies in state in Washington, D.C., November 1963
Wife. Mother. Niece. Three generations wait outside St. Matthew's for procession to cemetery. Behind Mrs. Kennedy stands the President's mother. Sydney Lawford, daughter of Kennedy's sister Pat, is at rear.
John F. Kennedy's cortege leaves the White House, November 1963
Young Kennedys prepare to leave the White House for John F. Kennedy's funeral, November 25, 1963
A horse-drawn caisson bears the body of President John F. Kennedy into Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963
With the sound of creaking wheels and clattering hoofs breaking the silence, the President's caisson entered Arlington Cemetery, passed the graves of American war heroes and headed toward the burial spot on a grassy hill which looks over the Potomac.
John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963
Robert Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy and Edward Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963
A Widow's Thanks. Pausing for a moment after the graveside service with Robert Kennedy, who was ever at her side, Jacqueline Kennedy had a word of thanks for Bishop Philip Hannan (left), who spoke at the funeral, and other Catholic prelates who had taken part in the services.
As taps sounded, [French] President de Gaulle and [Ethiopian] Emperor Haile Selassie saluted the grave.
Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.
John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.
Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.
Falling early within the honeymoon phase of this JOUR1111 relationship, was a lecture presented by guest lecturer Skye Doherty. Ms Doherty addressed the confines of text, how it can be structured, its many different forms, and how it can be used. Particularly addressed were the inverted pyramid (structure), and how news can be presented. Comparisons were shown between online international newspaper 'The Sun' and writers newspaper 'World News' and their use of the five W's and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), and organisation of information. It was apparent throughout the lecture that the way text is used to tell a story is vital to the way that the story is received.
Structure of a news story
The above image highlights the complexity of the news story structure and the importance of certain texts - wording , images, and links. Ms Doherty demonstrated how powerful the different types of texts can be and the things that are required in order to gain readers immediately after publication.
The interaction available through social networking sites can also have an effect on the published story. Once something is published, it is permanently saved into the system. The importance of a correct publication was stressed after Ms Doherty explained that "you only get one chance.......if it's wrong, then it's wrong forever. The first publication is the one that gets indexed by the search engines and stays online".
Metadata, excerpts, and tags were also discussed. Each are vital to the success of the article as they promote the publication and will allow search engines to access the story easily.
The correct use of text is fundamental to the creation of an accurate, successful news story.
My journalism relationship now understands the importance of the things I say and the way I express them - everything counts, and everything is heard.
Week 2 of my love affair lay the foundations of my University 'knowledge bank'. We were introduced to the concept of 'new media' and shown the differences between Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and the revolutionary Web 3.0. The features of each edition showed the evolution of the media, including the success of the Web and the major focus of each stage.
Web 1.0 - The First Real Boyfriend The birth of the internet and general media was a fairly simple system. As a very advertising friendly platform, Web 1.0 (the information web) focuses mainly on serving companies and providing information to all users when required. HowStuffWorks defines Web 1.0 in three ways:
Web 1.0 sites are static.
Web 1.0 sites aren't interactive.
Web 1.0 applications aren't proprietary.
Put simply, Web 1.0 can be liked to the awkward first relationship. You learn from this relationship, you understand the what makes a relationship and the basics of the dynamic. HowStuffWorks explains that "they contain information that might be useful, but there's no reason for a visitor to return to the site [partner] later." Web 1.0 is kind, and generous, and wants to make you happy, but at the end of the day, you may decide that you need something more complicated, something with dimension, something powerful, and if you're honest with yourself, you're just not the same person you were when you met Web 1.0 in the beginning.
Web 2.0 - The First Heartbreak
After parting with Web 1.0 as friends and promising to call, a friend-of-a-friend introduces you to the new resident in town. They're modern, and exciting, and have experience beyond their years; they claim to have friends all over the world and are quite the social butterfly - it's love at first sight. Web 2.0, the social web, can be seen in the introduction of networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MSN, Skype, tumblr, Flikr, Instagram, and YouTube. Webopedia states that "Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online." Web 2.0 is attractive, is friends with everyone, and always keeps you entertained; but slowly, eventually, it begins to put a strain on the relationship. Suddenly, Web 2.0 is everywhere and spending time with everyone and it grows gradually harder to see Web 2.0 as much as you'd like to. It was a beautiful relationship, and you learned how to interact and open up to others, but you just don't feel as though you're getting enough attention. Heartbroken, but with mutual understanding, you decide to move on to something better.
(Axel Burn's lecture "Anyone Can Edit: From Users to Prod-Users" can be found here.)
Web 3.0 - True Love
Web 2.0 was an amazing experience, and you will continue to use the lessons you learnt from your relationship in day-to-day activities and social interactions. It is not long afterwards, however, that you catch wind of the latest heart-throb - Web 3.0. Web 3.0 is known as the Semantic Web - it makes sense of information and focuses on the individuals rather than the masses. This is what you have been waiting for! With Web 3.0, you are guaranteed one-on-one time and all the attention you could ever ask for. This is true love, this is revolutionary, this relationship will go down in history! Web 3.0 is tailored to your very needs, pays attention to your likes and dislikes - your most viewed websites, or your favourite searches. Web 3.0 asks to be altered, to grow, to be shared - your new love is evident in your brand new smart phone, iPad, or website application. Everything is your way and besides a degree of ignorance and lack of general knowledge, you find it difficult to fault Web 3.0. They are your future.
The evolution of modern media certainly is an interesting story, and poses many questions regarding the future of journalism - with the introduction of Web 3.0 and newspaper pay walls, journalists may struggle to gain funding for big investigative pieces and additional research outlets. Only time will tell.
DISCLAIMER: If readers find romantic attraction developing towards the World Wide Web, please seek psychological assistance. It isn't healthy.
Ah, and so begins the love-hate relationship with JOUR1111. After predicting the next few months of this introductory course to no doubt be a fairly turbulent experience, I'd like to think of these blog posts as our own little form of 'couples therapy'. After all, is it not our passion that has driven us down the journalism corridor?
I like to tell myself that that is the case (for God help me if I cannot justify my choice in degree).
The commencement of my University experience and my first 'real' lecture took place on an ordinary Monday afternoon, in what felt like the basement of the campus. Hundreds of "very keen" first year students (as was eventually pointed out by EVERY LECTURER we were addressed by throughout our first week) filed into the rather traditional lecture theater. Naturally, we held the expectations of a clueless single on his (or her...) way to a first date (...but let's face it, us women are rarely clueless). We sat in nervous silence - waiting for our minds to be filled with all the wisdom we evidently lacked throughout our high school years. We were well groomed, well prepared, and, drawing an excellent parallel to our relationship metaphor - we were interested.
The tension in the theater reached a peak, our lecturer took the stand, and unbeknownst to the cohort, we fell headfirst into our first great story.
"YOU ARE THE JOURNALIST!"
It was the statement that started it all. Immediately, hundreds of first year students straightened their backs and craned forward in their seats - it was obvious that this first lecture was going to be remembered.
Over the next fifty minutes, we were shown glimpses of the journalist's world and the power of good reporting. Quote's were thrown across the room like compliments to a lover, and we fell for every single one. Most notable of the evening, was a statement by Phillip Graham (no doubt a most charming fellow);
"Journalism is the first rough draft of history."
A line that could be likened to a smooth "I could spend the rest of my life with you", or perhaps "you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." The challenge had been lain - we were going to make history, we were going to be the best, and we were going to love every second of it. The weeks to come would merely be a measure of our dedication and a test of our success.
"We don't have a choice on if we DO social media, the question is how well we DO it."- Erik Qualman
Media Usage Table
The following tables and graphs demonstrate a sample of my total (accumulative) media usage over the last ten days. The following assumptions have been made:
Usage time was rounded to the closest group of ten.
Use of media types such as music, radio, and android phone are estimates due to the nature in which they are used (sporadically throughout a single day).
Use of media was intentional, i.e. not as a result of third party exposure.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3
In addition to these findings, an online survey was conducted to record the media usage habits of the JOUR 1111 cohort. The 21 question report was compared with my personal data and analysed as following.
Television has long been a regular fixture in the common family household. Since it's introduction to society in 1926 by John Logie Baird (Television History - The First 75 Years), this revolutionary device has continued to evolve, securing it's place as one of the most influential media outlets available today.
Television provides journalists with a wide range of opportunities. News programs (the main form of television journalism) are aired following a strict schedule - viewers can always be assured that broadcasts will be delivered on time, regardless of network delays. In Queensland, Australia, the four major free-to-air stations (Channel Ten, Channel Nine, Channel Seven, and the Australian Broadcasting Company) offer multiple broadcasts through the afternoon.
After carefully analysing the data recorded over the past ten days (see figure 1), it can be seen that a total of 13 hours, 40mins (820 minutes) was spent watch television. 5 hours of this total time was dedicated to general browsing (News, and other television programs), whilst 8 hours 40 minutes was spent watching both film and television shows. In order for these figures to be compared to online survey results (sampling the behaviours of JOUR 111 students), a daily average must be reached. The total figure was divided by 10, giving a daily viewing time average of 1 hour, 22 minutes (82 minutes).
The above graph shows the finding of a particular question regarding television usage. When compared to figure 1, it can be seen that my average daily viewing hours fall within the cohort's 'norm' of 1-2hours daily. This is to be expected due to the large number of teenage students (see survey results, questions 1) and the interest of the student body in media itself.
All television viewing took place within my own home, due to the availability of a television set and the time to utilise it.
Media Type 2 - Radio
ABC based, Triple J Radio show Logo
The oldest form of journalism besides printed newspapers and tabloids, the radio has delivered prompt, current news stories to the public since the first transmission in 1895. Unknown to inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, his 'wireless' was to become the first of the great 'modern medias' (Introduction to Broadcast History).
Although mostly popular amongst older generations, the use of radio as a source of news and entertainment is enjoyed by millions around the globe. Richard Fidler, a well renowned Australian figure and popular radio presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), highlights the difference between radio and television,
"Radio is a completely different medium to television, anyone who thinks that you can take TV and stick it on the radio easily, or vise versa - put a camera in a radio studio and make that compelling TV, is wrong. You're going to end up with bad radio and dull TV. They work completely differently."(From week 5 sound lecture, interview with Richard Fidler)
The difference between the two major mediums is apparent not only in design, but in the minutes of usage recorded over the ten day period. When referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that a mere 2 hours, 20 minutes of radio were listened to over the tested period - just 3% of my total media usage (Figure 3). This figure corresponds with 53.9% of the surveyed students, with a daily average of 14 minutes of listening time (see question 15 below).
The radio is my least utilised form of media. I am not surprised by the results of the analysis as my only opportunities to enjoy radio entertainment is in the car, usually on the way to and from my casual work. Although the radio is a primary news medium, it is used by fewer young adults due to the great number of alternative (and preferred) outlets. As a tool for journalism and news broadcasts, it is a highly successful and utilised form of media - despite low ratings amongst youth.
Media Type 3 - Internet
The internet, as a tool, has become a foundational part of society today. With over 200 million active blogs, 8.22 billion available websites (as of 28th March 2012), and a shocking 845 million users on the social networking site Facebook (as of December, 2011) the World Wide Web offers countless possibilities to the inquisitive mind (WorldWideWeb). The internet is the modern journalists greatest tool. Whether it be for research,the contact of new sources, internal and external communications, or the production of a news distributor itself; the effective use of the internet is fundamental to the success of a journalist.
My media use and production diary which was recorded over a ten day period was separated into three separate areas within the internet medium itself.
Blogging
Micro-blogging platform, Tumblr, logo
As an avid blogger for the past four years, the use of the popular blogging platform, Tumblr, has become a daily routine for me. It was difficult to record my usage for this particular medium as I rarely 'close' the website and will usually blog continually throughout the day. Over the past few years blogging platforms, such as Tumblr, have grown in popularity amongst younger generations. This is due to user-friendly functions and the vast scope of blogs available to audiences. Launched just over 5 years ago by founder, David Karp, the microblogging platform has received countless positive press reports over the years.
Tumblr usage as of 28th March 2012
It was recorded after ten days, that (an accumulative) 13 hours, 50 minutes was spent on Tumblr alone. This can be averaged out to a daily quota of 1 hour, 17 minutes (77minutes). This does not fall within my expectations of usage as on days I can spend between 3 and 4 hours blogging. The past ten days were interrupted, however, but University, work commitments, and social events. These factors could explain my lower readings.
According to question 9 of the JOUR 1111 media use and production survey (shown above), just 26.9% of the cohort, or 116 students, ran a blog prior to the commencement of the subject. This is a realistic finding, and corresponds with the results of question 13 (shown below) stating that 140 students spend their time on the internet browsing through blogs.
Blogging is a developing social medium and can have significant affect on audiences. Opinion or shopping blogs can often sway readers to follow the blog administrators advice, depending on the popularity and reputation of the site. Blog runners can seek financial gain through through advertising on their blogs, and are often recruited to investigate new products, events (such as festivals), and additional user-generated content.
Blogging has great potential for future journalists - especially those of a 'freelance' nature. Platforms such as Blogger and tumblr offer users fully customisable layouts and themes, the opportunity to establish a network of their own, and feedback systems to allow for public interaction. Bloggers can remain anonymous if they choose to, which can appeal to a wide scope of readers.
Social Networking
Social networking website, Facebook, logo
Social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype) are the communication method of choice in today's society. Free to use, easy to personalise, and sporting a wide range of networks available to users; communication via social networking sites has quickly surpassed more traditional avenues (such as email). Facebook, the world's largest social network, claims over 845 million users - including almost 95% of JOUR1111 students (see survey, question 5). I have personally held an account (or profile) with Facebook since June 2008. Since signing on to the network, the social medium has integrated itself into my daily life - I will unconsciously check my personalised 'news feed' (a collaboration of the most popular updates, posted by my 'friends'), and spend several minutes browsing through the history of my high school graduating class. We, as a society of young users, have accommodated so well to allow for social networking sites like Facebook, that we can no longer recall functioning in a world without them. No longer are such pages used strictly for communication and sharing personal information - users can now request updates from world news groups; celebrities; charities; and in some cases, animals.
According to Figure 1, I have spent an accumulative total of 2 hours, 25 minutes (145minutes) on my chosen social network, Facebook, in the past ten days. This can be reduced to a total daily average of 14 1/2 minutes. This number does not surprise me, as I spend a large portion of my internet time blogging. The data collected may suggest that my daily average time spent of Facebook is lower than the common JOUR 1111 student. This conclusion has been reached after studying the following survey results.
The survey results from question 12 show that 128 students (29.6% of the group) spend between 2 and 3 hours online per day. Question 13 results show that 397 students spend the majority of their time on Facebook, whilst an additional 43 visit Twitter. Comparing these figures would suggest that a large majority of student would spend their 2-3 hour daily internet usage frequenting social networking sites.
Such a high percentage of student use may be attributed to mobile versions of the networks available on smart phones and Android phones- allowing members to access websites 'on the go' would increase website traffic and ensure high user hours.
In addition to highlighting the allocation of my daily internet usage over a ten day period, the data table states the total number of minutes spent on the internet in general (inclusive of blogging and social networking). Figure 1 shows that I spent a total of 22 hours, 55 minutes (1375 minutes) using the internet across ten days, giving me a daily average of 2 hours and 18 minutes. This falls within the expected bracket, as shown by question 12 in the survey results (see above). According to results, 128 students use the internet between 2-3 hours per day. Due to the nature of this course, it is to be expected that students utilise the features that the internet offers. Journalists must have an in depth knowledge of the opportunities that can be found online, and use these to their own advantage.
Media Type 4 - Android Phone
The use of mobile phones has long since been restricted to sending and receiving basic calls and text messages. Today, phones can be used to capture and record photos and videos, organise your person schedule, send and receive emails, update your social networking profile, check the weather, receive the news, and countless more features. For a journalist in the 21st century to succeed, fast delivery of the news and the ability to capture instant footage must be available. Journalists can now record interviews, and entire reports using a camera phone - editing the footage on location with specific software. With the number of smart phones and android phones on the rise, journalists will greatly benefit from this latest trend and technological evolution.
I currently own a Samsung Galaxy sII android phone. I have downloaded many additional applications which allow me to access the internet on the spot, update my blog and Facebook account, upload videos and photos to the internet, check public transport time tables, access my online banking, navigate me around University campus, and hundreds more.
According to figure 1, I spent an accumulative total of 3 hours, 20 minutes (200 minutes) on my phone over ten days. Despite my extensive list of applications, this does not surprise me. I prefer to use my phone as a communicative device rather than as a miniature computer. This is due to my own personal preferences, and my access to an Apple iPad (which I favour as my 'mobile computer' to my Samsung Galaxy sII).
Question 10 of the course survey (see below), shows that 338 students (78.2% of the cohort) own an internet-enabled smart phone or android phone. Based on current trends, this high figure is to be expected.
Media Type 5 - iPad
In the modern day, technology is no longer confined to a household or wall socket plug (for power). More and more battery operated devices are being released into the market each year to provide users with continent and relatively inexpensive alternative to desktop computers and now, to the common laptop.
A brief history of the Apple iPad is shown in the infographic below.
I use my iPad regularly as I record all University lecture notes using the relevant app (application). Figure 1 shows that over ten days I used this device for 8 hours, 50 minutes (530 minutes), or an average of 53 minutes per day. After analysing the survey data shown in question 20 (see below), 347 students within the JOUR 1111 course does not own an E-Reader or tablet. This place me within 13.7% of students who own an iPad.
Devices like the iPad, and those similar, would greatly benefit journalists if used effectively. Tablets and E-Readers boast high quality displays and a broad range of available apps - these include those particular to journalism such as video editors, photo editors, voice recorders, and online newspapers. The virtual books - or E-books, are available only on such products and can provide journalists with the access to thousands of publications at the touch of a button. iPad's and alternative tablets would greatly aid journalists in the field.
Summary
Denying modern media in the 21st century is no longer an option for professionals. As businesses and creative firms begin to bridge the gap between the media and daily operations, an in depth understanding of the current trends is required. Journalists in the present day must understand the many news mediums and how they can be best utilised in the reporting world.
After studying my media usage and production table (as recorded over ten days) and comparing the results to the JOUR1111 survey, it can be deduced that my media use habits fit within the norm of the cohort in almost all fields.
