I learned a lot of new things about media from this class. The most important thing that I learned is that going into the field of Journalism is not for me any more. I came back to college with the finally decided intentions that I was going to get an Associates degree here at Century College and then transfer to the University to get a Bachelor's degree in Journalism.
I have always enjoyed writing and communicating through writing. My grandmother told me that I would be a great journalist, and I guess my great-grandfather use to write articles for many different papers. Before the semester began I had spoken with a counsselor to help me decide if I should be a journalist or a Nurse. I took the class with intentions of just getting a taste of the field, but when I the class began I was confident I was beginning the long journey of a career in journalism.
Within the first several weeks of class time,I learned the complexity of media and that journalsim today is not what I had imagined for me. Media has evolved into a mess of ceo conglomerates controlling the field of journalism. It's all about money now. I don't want to be a part of that.
It's all about advertising through stories and manipulating the human race. Once I realied that it was not for me, I made a career goal change. I hardly watch television anymore, and I can never believe what I see. I learned to be careful who is presenting the information and who is more credible than others. I think I will stick to believing in the face to face experiences and educated, accredited sources.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What’s the most interesting thing I learned about media in this class?
Blog Post number 4
I understand much more about how media works then before I took this class. Media I have found is not a simple field but actually it is very complex with many variables. Corporate control, of media as we know it, runs ramped today. With these media conglomerates trying to tell us what we have the right to think; when all that is their bottom line is our bottom dollar.
They think we are stupid sheep who follow the last thing we see, right off the cliff. They can keep their UN researched opinion to themselves; I choose to think for my self. One thing I find very appalling in the media, is the supposed medical breakthroughs which are nothing but a mirage, of a company trying to sell you something. They try to pass it off as real medical truth but it actually it is sweet lies.
I understand much more about how media works then before I took this class. Media I have found is not a simple field but actually it is very complex with many variables. Corporate control, of media as we know it, runs ramped today. With these media conglomerates trying to tell us what we have the right to think; when all that is their bottom line is our bottom dollar.
They think we are stupid sheep who follow the last thing we see, right off the cliff. They can keep their UN researched opinion to themselves; I choose to think for my self. One thing I find very appalling in the media, is the supposed medical breakthroughs which are nothing but a mirage, of a company trying to sell you something. They try to pass it off as real medical truth but it actually it is sweet lies.
The More You Know...
I would have to say one of the more important things I learned in this class was the different types of analysis (Qualitative vs. Quantitative) that you can use for a research project. This, in addition to the critical process that was mentioned in another blog post, will help me with future research projects. Media consumption and media research are two different entities. We've been conditioned to watch TV, read the newspaper, etc. and accept everything at face value. An important lesson taught in this class is that there are more factors at work than the general public realizes. Things like PR campaigns and VNRs are found everywhere in the media. I believe I can now consume media in a more objective light than I could before.
Another issue is media conglomeration. I was aware of the recent mergers of media companies, such as NBC Universal (TV and movies) and Sony-BMG (music). As large as these media conglomerates have become, at least there is still competition in their respective industries. Other media industries do not have the same levels of competition. Clear Channel's stranglehold on the radio stations is a scary thought. The story about the train crash/toxic gas in Minot, ND should serve as a warning that it is not a good idea for one company to own all of the radio stations in a particular market. Another industry facing reduced competition is the newspapers. As the market for traditional daily newspapers continues to shrink, the publishing companies are forced to consolidate or be bought out by larger corporations. In the last 5 years, both the Pioneer Press and the Star Tribune have changed hands. How long until one of them goes under and the Twin Cities only has one major daily newspaper? In order for the market to remain (semi) free, there must be competition. Monopolies are generally not a good idea.
The third point I'd like to make is how the future of every media industry lies in the internet (duh). It's almost become redundant to say it, but I believe it now more than ever. The group presentations done in class were a great way to show how each industry is migrating online. This transformation is still taking place, but eventually the internet will be the primary source of information. The internet has already become the primary source for people to purchase (or steal) their music. Printed newspapers are on their way down, with the online versions gaining readership (and advertising revenue) every day. Television will be around for a long time, but more and more people are watching their favorite shows online, either by purchasing them from iTunes or watching for free on sites like hulu.com. The media companies that are quick to adapt and figure out how to make a profit online will be the ones that stick around.
Blog Post #4
Blog post #4
There are many things that I learned and that I found interesting, but I really feel like I learned the most about the critical process. There are five steps included in the critical process, and it seems like we used one or all of these steps in a number of things that we did for class. I feel like this has been important for me to learn in order to gain a better knowledge on the media and all that comes with it. The five steps that are included in the critical process are:
1. Description
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
4. Evaluation
5. Engagement
Without these five steps, I don’t think a person can fully understand an idea- whether it be a commercial, a movie, a radio show, music, etc. The critical process can be used to analyze just about anything. These steps can be tricky fully understand and apply to an artifact, but if you take you time, the outcome will be worth it. Of all of the steps, I think that the interpretation is the most difficult step because it is up to the viewer to decide what information they want to get out of it. Because of this, it is up to the developers to make sure that they are conveying the information within an artifact the best they can so that the viewer is getting what the developers is trying to convey. The other step that goes hand in hand with interpretation that is difficult is evaluation. This is because it’s the opinion of the viewer as to what they thought of the artifact. If the developers of the artifact do go a good enough job conveying information, they will get the response in the evaluation from others that they are looking for. However, if the response isn’t what they were looking for, it’s back to the drawing board for them to rethink the approach of the artifact. Of course, all of the steps are just as important as the others, but they are all important to develop a good artifact for the viewers.
There are many things that I learned and that I found interesting, but I really feel like I learned the most about the critical process. There are five steps included in the critical process, and it seems like we used one or all of these steps in a number of things that we did for class. I feel like this has been important for me to learn in order to gain a better knowledge on the media and all that comes with it. The five steps that are included in the critical process are:
1. Description
2. Analysis
3. Interpretation
4. Evaluation
5. Engagement
Without these five steps, I don’t think a person can fully understand an idea- whether it be a commercial, a movie, a radio show, music, etc. The critical process can be used to analyze just about anything. These steps can be tricky fully understand and apply to an artifact, but if you take you time, the outcome will be worth it. Of all of the steps, I think that the interpretation is the most difficult step because it is up to the viewer to decide what information they want to get out of it. Because of this, it is up to the developers to make sure that they are conveying the information within an artifact the best they can so that the viewer is getting what the developers is trying to convey. The other step that goes hand in hand with interpretation that is difficult is evaluation. This is because it’s the opinion of the viewer as to what they thought of the artifact. If the developers of the artifact do go a good enough job conveying information, they will get the response in the evaluation from others that they are looking for. However, if the response isn’t what they were looking for, it’s back to the drawing board for them to rethink the approach of the artifact. Of course, all of the steps are just as important as the others, but they are all important to develop a good artifact for the viewers.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A Media Night Cap
Coming into this class I had seen several documentaries about mass media, corporations, anti-advertising groups and what-not. Although all of the films were interesting and informative, I was still confused about how it all tied together. This class has covered so much ground and has helped shape all that I’ve learned to be somewhat more cohesive. It is hard to focus on just one aspect of media, so I’d like to take a few minutes to write to everyone about a couple things I’ve learned in this class of mass communications and maybe spit some absurd opinion as well.
First I’d like to start with media ownership. Media consolidation brought forth by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is huge. This is how the big 6 media conglomerates came into being. The big 6 mainly refers to television: GE, Time Warner, Disney, News Corp, CBS, and Viacom. This is important to know because it is an example of “ostensible diversity that conceals an actual uniformity.” Viewers may feel like they have a choice between 300 different channels, but each of the 300 are actually owned by one of the big six. This affects democracy because each owner is biased and will only report their bias. Not a good way to help the population make informed decisions, especially when it comes to politics. A good way to combat this is to get your news from various outlets. A shameless plug here but one good news source is brought to us by the Pacifica network, DemocracyNow! (I made a cameo appearance during the RNC!)
Conspiracy Theory Rock Mediaopoly Corruption
Second is advertising. From political to drugs to the newest cleaning products or car, everyone can agree that ads are tediously annoying. One of the most sickening things that I learned about political advertising and media outlets is the sadistic exchange of money between the two. Politicians pay media outlets for ad time, and in return media outlets make handsome campaign contributions so politicians will be more favorable toward them. I always knew something was wrong with that, but it took this class to help me see that more clearly, especially during this last election season. I urge people to look into how much campaign contributions were made by the auto and banking industries, but I digress. Advertising is all marketing, stealing the public’s attention long enough to instill the idea that one needs a particular product to be cool or fresh or to be the “hero.” Ah, the “hero.” I can’t help but try and determine who the hero is in every ad I consume.
Light Criticism
The Super Bowl is just around the corner. We all know that Super Bowl advertising is just as important as the big game, so here is an idea I’d like to market. Tired of missing all the Super Bowl action and advertising? Well now you don’t have to! Just buy the new Super Bowl catheter and colonoscopy bag! You won’t miss a second of the dizzying action!! Perhaps one of the big drug companies can help sponsor this one?
In conclusion, I leave this class with a better understanding of the media I love to both avoid and consume daily. There wasn’t a boring topic that we covered, just those I’d like to study further into. The future of the media industry will be interesting to observe as I partake in it during my everyday life.
On a side note, everyone should know this song.
Puzzling Evidence- from movie "True Stories"
First I’d like to start with media ownership. Media consolidation brought forth by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 is huge. This is how the big 6 media conglomerates came into being. The big 6 mainly refers to television: GE, Time Warner, Disney, News Corp, CBS, and Viacom. This is important to know because it is an example of “ostensible diversity that conceals an actual uniformity.” Viewers may feel like they have a choice between 300 different channels, but each of the 300 are actually owned by one of the big six. This affects democracy because each owner is biased and will only report their bias. Not a good way to help the population make informed decisions, especially when it comes to politics. A good way to combat this is to get your news from various outlets. A shameless plug here but one good news source is brought to us by the Pacifica network, DemocracyNow! (I made a cameo appearance during the RNC!)
Conspiracy Theory Rock Mediaopoly Corruption
Second is advertising. From political to drugs to the newest cleaning products or car, everyone can agree that ads are tediously annoying. One of the most sickening things that I learned about political advertising and media outlets is the sadistic exchange of money between the two. Politicians pay media outlets for ad time, and in return media outlets make handsome campaign contributions so politicians will be more favorable toward them. I always knew something was wrong with that, but it took this class to help me see that more clearly, especially during this last election season. I urge people to look into how much campaign contributions were made by the auto and banking industries, but I digress. Advertising is all marketing, stealing the public’s attention long enough to instill the idea that one needs a particular product to be cool or fresh or to be the “hero.” Ah, the “hero.” I can’t help but try and determine who the hero is in every ad I consume.
Light Criticism
The Super Bowl is just around the corner. We all know that Super Bowl advertising is just as important as the big game, so here is an idea I’d like to market. Tired of missing all the Super Bowl action and advertising? Well now you don’t have to! Just buy the new Super Bowl catheter and colonoscopy bag! You won’t miss a second of the dizzying action!! Perhaps one of the big drug companies can help sponsor this one?
In conclusion, I leave this class with a better understanding of the media I love to both avoid and consume daily. There wasn’t a boring topic that we covered, just those I’d like to study further into. The future of the media industry will be interesting to observe as I partake in it during my everyday life.
On a side note, everyone should know this song.
Puzzling Evidence- from movie "True Stories"
Advertisment-Blog Post #4
In mass communications we have learned a variety of things. We talked about how the media is changing and what it is changing too. Also about the impacts mass communication has on us the people through different views like politically and culturally. We also touched on subjects like advertising, journalism, and media. This class was interesting because it talked about what is going on right now and what is going to happen not just what happened in the past.
I think one of the most interesting things that I learned about in this mass communications class was the unit when we talked about advertising. We did a few activities in class that I thought were really neat and helped us; the students really get a feel of what it was like to try to come up with our own advertisement and how to sell it. I found out that there is a lot more work put into just one single advertisement then I ever thought. First you have to come up with an idea that everybody likes for your product and that will promote the product well. Decide on where to put it and what audience you are trying to attract with this advertisement that is appropriate for the product. Also decide on what company you are going to go through that will put your advertisement either in the newspaper, on television, in a magazine, or on the internet. There are many choices and many ads out there today. We also talked about VAL’s and what category each one of us individually fall under and if we think these categories are accurate or to stereotyped.
I had fun in the class and thought it was interesting and useful. I loved how we did lots of activities with groups and not with groups to keep the class interesting and not so boring with a lecture every day. There was a variety of subjects and I would recommend this class to any of my friends.
I think one of the most interesting things that I learned about in this mass communications class was the unit when we talked about advertising. We did a few activities in class that I thought were really neat and helped us; the students really get a feel of what it was like to try to come up with our own advertisement and how to sell it. I found out that there is a lot more work put into just one single advertisement then I ever thought. First you have to come up with an idea that everybody likes for your product and that will promote the product well. Decide on where to put it and what audience you are trying to attract with this advertisement that is appropriate for the product. Also decide on what company you are going to go through that will put your advertisement either in the newspaper, on television, in a magazine, or on the internet. There are many choices and many ads out there today. We also talked about VAL’s and what category each one of us individually fall under and if we think these categories are accurate or to stereotyped.
I had fun in the class and thought it was interesting and useful. I loved how we did lots of activities with groups and not with groups to keep the class interesting and not so boring with a lecture every day. There was a variety of subjects and I would recommend this class to any of my friends.
Monday, December 8, 2008
VNRs and the transparency of the nightly news - Blog Post #4
VNR Example
An introduction to Mass Communication covers a broad spectrum of topics surrounding multiple industries. Amongst all of those topics, it was hard to weed out a specific item that caught my attention, until I saw the video on VNRs and the overall look into the transparency of both local and national news broadcasts. Those independently produced news segments find themselves squeezed into the daily news, and most people will never hear about the true source of the material.
Public relations departments within large corporations, and sometimes government funded organizations, have put the money into producing these "news" segments, which are created with the intent of swaying opinion to market products or ideas. I learned that newsrooms use VNRs because they have to fill in time spots, and are afraid of running out of material. Even though the implication seems notable, the integrity of what qualifies as real news falls out the window.
I'm fascinated with the practicality of such a concept, yet very skeptical at the same time. In class, we watched a video that trained my eye to VNRs, and since then, I've been spotting them all over various news networks. This correlates with the transparency of our news. What I mean by this is that VNRs should be labeled within the news broadcast, so people are informed of the source for the material. If there is a report on the effectiveness of a new drug on the market, the VNR showcasing the product shouldn't cloak themselves as real news. This request is adequate, as it is fair to the viewer.
There are some good reasons as to the importance for VNRs, such as its usefulness to fill in an under budgeted local news station. The other benefit of VNRs is that it they provide a necessary tool to the marketing industry, when it comes to getting the word out on a product or service. My only condition for that type of marketing is that it be more transparent to the viewer.
An introduction to Mass Communication covers a broad spectrum of topics surrounding multiple industries. Amongst all of those topics, it was hard to weed out a specific item that caught my attention, until I saw the video on VNRs and the overall look into the transparency of both local and national news broadcasts. Those independently produced news segments find themselves squeezed into the daily news, and most people will never hear about the true source of the material.
Public relations departments within large corporations, and sometimes government funded organizations, have put the money into producing these "news" segments, which are created with the intent of swaying opinion to market products or ideas. I learned that newsrooms use VNRs because they have to fill in time spots, and are afraid of running out of material. Even though the implication seems notable, the integrity of what qualifies as real news falls out the window.
I'm fascinated with the practicality of such a concept, yet very skeptical at the same time. In class, we watched a video that trained my eye to VNRs, and since then, I've been spotting them all over various news networks. This correlates with the transparency of our news. What I mean by this is that VNRs should be labeled within the news broadcast, so people are informed of the source for the material. If there is a report on the effectiveness of a new drug on the market, the VNR showcasing the product shouldn't cloak themselves as real news. This request is adequate, as it is fair to the viewer.
There are some good reasons as to the importance for VNRs, such as its usefulness to fill in an under budgeted local news station. The other benefit of VNRs is that it they provide a necessary tool to the marketing industry, when it comes to getting the word out on a product or service. My only condition for that type of marketing is that it be more transparent to the viewer.
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