Not to expose exactly how old I am, but I can remember the days when very few ethnic groups were represented in the media. But I believe with the civil rights movement and the evolution of our society, this representation has changed drastically. From ethnic individuals holding positions throughout the media companies, to advertisers changing who their target demographics are, ethnicity is alive and well in our current communications.
In the 1970's, situation comedies had introduced shows that focused solely on ethnic families and their struggles - from The Jefferson's and Good times, to eventually the affluent and educated matriarch, Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show, African Americans were represented. At the same time, African American individuals were becoming key contributors as radio and television personalities.
In the 1980's, more importance was placed in representing the Latino and Asian populations. Remember Connie Chung and now Lisa Ling. The African American segment in present media seems to have surpassed the representation of whites and other ethnic groups with what is being shown and distributed today. With the widely known talk show host OPRAH WINFREY appealing to the masses, the African American representation had grown by leaps and bounds.
For the Latino populations, either than their explosion on the music scene, it seems that they are represented, but not in a significant manner. They are still written into sitcoms and have a few of their faces in media, but their representation has not reached the peak of the African American populations.
I believe in 2012 that all ethnic groups are represented fairly throughout media.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
In your opinion, what were the three most important developments in communication history?
As we have studied the history of communications, I find myself hard-pressed to limit the three most important developments, as the way I see it, there are actually 4 important developments that have taken place in communication history:
3. The Newspaper - As we have learned from our class, the newspaper was the first communication medium that changed how the world received their information. This medium not only brought about change by providing information to the masses, but it also brought the world to the shores of the United States. Being able to learn of things happening all over the world, and in your own backyard was groundbreaking.
2. The Radio - Opening up a whole new world to it's listeners, Radio was the next medium that changed the history of how we communicate. Still in existence today, many of us get most of our information throughout the day by this medium. The Radio has also provided us with hours of enjoyment, just by "turning the dial" or "pushing the programmed button" to our favorite stations. Whether we want to listen to music, get the latest news, or hear our favorite talk show host, Radio has changed and will continue to affect our communication.
1. The Television - With the invention of television, communication was set on it's ear. Being able to view what was actually happening in war, in politics, even at a local event, the television was the largest significant change for communication to the masses. Even though at first most families couldn't afford a television, once the competitive drive drove down the price, most families in the US had to have one! most families today have 2, 3, 4 televisions throughout their households. This medium gives us up-to-the-minute communications that are available 24/7
4. The Internet - The latest of the communication geniuses was the development of the Internet. If you have access to it, it can provide more knowledge that you can ever actually take in. I rate this medium 4th in line behind the radio, television and newspapers, because not all individuals have access to the Internet. Although, this was such an incredible invention which has ultimately changed the world as we now know it, so it had to be included in the most important changes in communication.
3. The Newspaper - As we have learned from our class, the newspaper was the first communication medium that changed how the world received their information. This medium not only brought about change by providing information to the masses, but it also brought the world to the shores of the United States. Being able to learn of things happening all over the world, and in your own backyard was groundbreaking.
2. The Radio - Opening up a whole new world to it's listeners, Radio was the next medium that changed the history of how we communicate. Still in existence today, many of us get most of our information throughout the day by this medium. The Radio has also provided us with hours of enjoyment, just by "turning the dial" or "pushing the programmed button" to our favorite stations. Whether we want to listen to music, get the latest news, or hear our favorite talk show host, Radio has changed and will continue to affect our communication.
1. The Television - With the invention of television, communication was set on it's ear. Being able to view what was actually happening in war, in politics, even at a local event, the television was the largest significant change for communication to the masses. Even though at first most families couldn't afford a television, once the competitive drive drove down the price, most families in the US had to have one! most families today have 2, 3, 4 televisions throughout their households. This medium gives us up-to-the-minute communications that are available 24/7
4. The Internet - The latest of the communication geniuses was the development of the Internet. If you have access to it, it can provide more knowledge that you can ever actually take in. I rate this medium 4th in line behind the radio, television and newspapers, because not all individuals have access to the Internet. Although, this was such an incredible invention which has ultimately changed the world as we now know it, so it had to be included in the most important changes in communication.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Are we storytellers or rational thinkers
As I read Walter Fisher's Narrative paradigm, I found myself becoming angry, but enlighted at the same time. I do not normally feel these types of emotions at the same time, but I was getting a little "on-edge" in portions of his explanation of President Reagan, but I was also becoming informed as to the rational of the liberal side of politics. I guess the question for this post raises another question in my mind, "why do you think we have a two-party system in our country's political system. Fact of the matter is, I believe that we are all rational thinkers and if we are articulate at all, storytellers.
As we focus on our maturing throughout our lives, we all are bombarded with many different ideals and cultures within our own society. We as American's have both a rational thought process that we use daily and a way to express ourselves daily through stories to get our messages across.
We also as American's have deep and profound convictions as to what we feel our nation should and should not be doing. I personally do not think of myself as a Republican or a Democrat, as a Rational thinker or a storyteller. I think of myself as an educated, white, middle class female who has beliefs that originated with both political parties and both states of being. I rationalize daily that what our country needs are more Republican business men in congress, that know that in order to turn our country to turn around, we have to cut our excessive spending. I do not want to take anything away from anyone, and part of me wants to help those in need, who are not able to support themselves. The problem has become that we have entire families who have lived off of our "socialistic" government with the programs that have been put in place for way too many years, without having the notion or means of learning to live any other way. Generations of families have never worked, never paid taxes, never had to contribute to this nations economy. This has lead us down the road to where we are today. To many social programs, not enough funding and not enough instruction of "for an hour of work, you receive an hour of pay"
I believe that we must think rationally when making decisions and stating our convictions, but having the ability to share our ideals and convictions through the sharing of ideas and past experiences, makes the rational thinking shine through in my story telling!
As we focus on our maturing throughout our lives, we all are bombarded with many different ideals and cultures within our own society. We as American's have both a rational thought process that we use daily and a way to express ourselves daily through stories to get our messages across.
We also as American's have deep and profound convictions as to what we feel our nation should and should not be doing. I personally do not think of myself as a Republican or a Democrat, as a Rational thinker or a storyteller. I think of myself as an educated, white, middle class female who has beliefs that originated with both political parties and both states of being. I rationalize daily that what our country needs are more Republican business men in congress, that know that in order to turn our country to turn around, we have to cut our excessive spending. I do not want to take anything away from anyone, and part of me wants to help those in need, who are not able to support themselves. The problem has become that we have entire families who have lived off of our "socialistic" government with the programs that have been put in place for way too many years, without having the notion or means of learning to live any other way. Generations of families have never worked, never paid taxes, never had to contribute to this nations economy. This has lead us down the road to where we are today. To many social programs, not enough funding and not enough instruction of "for an hour of work, you receive an hour of pay"
I believe that we must think rationally when making decisions and stating our convictions, but having the ability to share our ideals and convictions through the sharing of ideas and past experiences, makes the rational thinking shine through in my story telling!
hy do Journalists embrace the belief that confidential sources should be protected? Do you agree?
Journalists embrace the belief that confidential sources should be protected because many stories would never surface if journalists did not agree to protect the sources who have given them the information. Coming forward to tell a story that may be incriminating, may be of value to the individual, but knowing that you will not be revealed as the story unfolds, bring forth an added sense of security for the individual who has the information. Also, journalists consider this confidentiality agreement as a corner stone of their profession. Not revealing your sources, especially regarding potentially damaging stories, is necessary to get factual, accurate, and corroborated information.
Like was explained in our Text Media/impact, many individuals over the years have held their sources secret for 30 or more years, as in the case of "Deep Throat" the source for the Watergate scandal. Also discussed was the Judith Miller story, where Judith went to jail for 4 months, not revealing her source for naming a CIA operative, until her source came forth, and then resigned from hi position with Vice President Cheney.
I agree that no revealing sources, once the story is corroborated by numerous sources, is fair. Journalists have been telling the world what they have needed and wanted to know for centuries. Having the ability to share important information with the public at large has made us a more informed society. And the fact that not being forced to reveal your source, also allows the journalist to keep their integrity as a reporter of the facts.
Like was explained in our Text Media/impact, many individuals over the years have held their sources secret for 30 or more years, as in the case of "Deep Throat" the source for the Watergate scandal. Also discussed was the Judith Miller story, where Judith went to jail for 4 months, not revealing her source for naming a CIA operative, until her source came forth, and then resigned from hi position with Vice President Cheney.
I agree that no revealing sources, once the story is corroborated by numerous sources, is fair. Journalists have been telling the world what they have needed and wanted to know for centuries. Having the ability to share important information with the public at large has made us a more informed society. And the fact that not being forced to reveal your source, also allows the journalist to keep their integrity as a reporter of the facts.
How did photography and sound impact communication history?
The invention of photography and the ability to record sound and apply it to the images, profoundly impacted communications in this era. As we learn from our Communication in History text, early photographers started working for newspaper outlets, as more technologically advanced cameras came into fruition. With the increase in newspapers and magazines, and with the ability to photograph individuals and provide newsworthy information to go with the photos, more and more communications evolved as a result.
Even Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt began to use the new age of technology. Where past presidents would only be able to have a stage photo taken, with the invention of "Moving pictures" action shots could be taken and distributed via the newspapers printing that would show these men in action.
These newspapers then evolved into producing sound footage to put sound with the pictures they were taking to include ones voice in conjunction with the pictures, adding another dimension to the communication process.
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH - Question? Would you have revealed the source? Why?
The Movie Nothing But the Truth was a very compelling story about a journalist and what she would go through to not reveal her source for an article that would receive admiration from fellow journalists, but at what cost.
Would I personally reveal my source? As I was watching the movie, I was drawn to reveal my source, as she was loosing time with her child, and her husband for months on end. I kept wondering, would it really be worth all the pain and agony being away from my own family to keep my word and not reveal the source for my story. I kept saying, that I definitely would have folded long before the heroine in the story. Especially when she found out that the schmuck she was married to was cheating on her. She still held her ground. I was amazed at the fact that even being beaten in prison and having her ex-husband take her child from her didn't get her to reveal the source.
I knew that I would not have been able to be as strong as she was, I would have cracked somewhere along the line, but I thought that I might change my mind once we finally found out who her source was. Knowing that you were protecting another child, may have changed my mind, and I hope that I could have sustained what she went through to save this child from disgrace and agony, knowing that she (the child) sharing what she did, may have been the reason her mother was killed.
I really cannot say exactly what I would have done. Knowing the pain my own child was going through, may have outweighed my desire to save the feelings of another child. I really cannot say that I know exactly what I would have done.
What is the most important trend explored in this chapter?
The most important trend explored in this chapter was the trend of Expositions of Commerce which eventually evolved into department stores. From the mid 1800's, fairs or what was otherwise known as expositions were held to teach, as explained in our text"a lesson of things". As the early 1900's rolled around, Paris began to hold expositions that featured an menagerie of tools and exhibits of machinery, that were the newest inventions of the modern age.
There were also expositions held to show the wonders of scientific discovery, including the making of electricity, and the beginning of the photograph age. As the decades continued, these expositions began to evolve into something quite different. They began to place price tags on items and starting selling things right from the expo. They also started to use advertising to entice the participants into wanting the products and services that were being displayed. Then they started adding food and entertainment to these venues. Pretty soon what was meant to be an educational forum, became a medium to entice all that entered the hall.
Eventually these expos also included information about far off foreign places, enticing individuals to travel abroad. Eventually these expos became so popular that, Marketers decided to start their own "department stores" which could offer numerous goods and services for a set price, enabling them to encourage buying of their products for a set price. This eliminated the bartering for what the consumer was going to pay, and in essence, gave the buyer more time to gaze at the merchandise, allowing their senses to be overwhelmed with the feeling that they "must have" the products.
This trend is still alive and well and in place today. Goods and services are offered in the exact same way, whether you are traveling in Paris or living in the U.S., goods and services are offered in numerous places to be purchased and consumed.
There were also expositions held to show the wonders of scientific discovery, including the making of electricity, and the beginning of the photograph age. As the decades continued, these expositions began to evolve into something quite different. They began to place price tags on items and starting selling things right from the expo. They also started to use advertising to entice the participants into wanting the products and services that were being displayed. Then they started adding food and entertainment to these venues. Pretty soon what was meant to be an educational forum, became a medium to entice all that entered the hall.
Eventually these expos also included information about far off foreign places, enticing individuals to travel abroad. Eventually these expos became so popular that, Marketers decided to start their own "department stores" which could offer numerous goods and services for a set price, enabling them to encourage buying of their products for a set price. This eliminated the bartering for what the consumer was going to pay, and in essence, gave the buyer more time to gaze at the merchandise, allowing their senses to be overwhelmed with the feeling that they "must have" the products.
This trend is still alive and well and in place today. Goods and services are offered in the exact same way, whether you are traveling in Paris or living in the U.S., goods and services are offered in numerous places to be purchased and consumed.
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