The Quiz Show scandals effected CBS negatively, but it seemed for only a short time, since our country was hooked on television. It was fascinating to see how easy it was for the producers, writers, even the CEO of the broadcasting networks to through out all they were taught from a child, just to increase ratings of their quiz shows. Many viewers were turned off by the negative affect they felt by being duped by the networks after they thought what they were seeing was actually fact, when it was actually fabricated and untrue.
These scandals stopped many talented individuals, but from the movie we watched, it only slowed these liars down for a short time before they were picked up by other television networks and shows.
I am not sure what do get the network out of hot water. I personally would have to fully disclose the situation, take the fine and possible incarceration for my wrong-doing.
If I was hired to protect the Network, I would have to take a different spin on the story and explain that it was done for ratings and entertainment, and that giving the answers to the contestants was nothing more than a way to produce a great show that drew in viewers; besides isn't that what TV is all about, entertaining the viewers. Then the network would pay the fine placed for falsely portraying the show and its contestants, and then move on the the next project.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
You are the President of CBS. You have been summoned to Washington to explain your network's behavior in the quiz show affair before a public session of congress, which passes laws regulating the broadcasting industry. Explain how the quiz show scandals effected CBS and how you propose to get out of this mess
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Manufacturing Consent - What is covered by the news and how? Where do the conventions of balance and objectivity come from? How do they function within the news discourse?
I must first share that as hard as I tried to get into Mr. Noam Chomsky's view of news and the media, listening to his views was remotely painful. He seemed to say the same thing over and over again in an attempt to be saying something different. Maybe, intellectually we are not on the same wavelength, but I believe I understood the message he conveying.
I think that his viewpoints brought to mind that all mass communication is subjective and that the only balance put in place with the news media, is that of the individuals who are producing the material.
The news format in this nation is speculative, as we as educated individuals must seek out the most accurate of the news that is being told. Many of us choose one news format over another, mostly I believe, because we agree with the "mostly factual" information they are providing us. What is actually covered in a 24 hour period within the news mediums in our country, is decided by individuals just as you and I, who think that the story that is unfolding is of significant importance and must be told. But, from Noam's point of view, there may be other information out there that we may personally feel is of significance, but since the producers don't feel the same way, this information is not communicated. I agree with his foresight regarding this point.
I also believe that there is a balance put in place between what is aired and what is not. When a major catastrophe happens, all news media is on it, but when something happens in our own "neck of the woods", not all media is covering the story. I also believe that objectivity of the stories that are told is subjective to the person providing the information. Each individual has their own subjective mechanisms in place which have to come into play when deciding what news is to be reported and what is not.
I think that his viewpoints brought to mind that all mass communication is subjective and that the only balance put in place with the news media, is that of the individuals who are producing the material.
The news format in this nation is speculative, as we as educated individuals must seek out the most accurate of the news that is being told. Many of us choose one news format over another, mostly I believe, because we agree with the "mostly factual" information they are providing us. What is actually covered in a 24 hour period within the news mediums in our country, is decided by individuals just as you and I, who think that the story that is unfolding is of significant importance and must be told. But, from Noam's point of view, there may be other information out there that we may personally feel is of significance, but since the producers don't feel the same way, this information is not communicated. I agree with his foresight regarding this point.
I also believe that there is a balance put in place between what is aired and what is not. When a major catastrophe happens, all news media is on it, but when something happens in our own "neck of the woods", not all media is covering the story. I also believe that objectivity of the stories that are told is subjective to the person providing the information. Each individual has their own subjective mechanisms in place which have to come into play when deciding what news is to be reported and what is not.
Review three functions of mass communication as discussed in the text. Do you Agree?
As stated in the Essentials of Mass Communication Theory, all mass communications functions play a key role in our society.
The first function, Surveillance, is the theory that all mass communication is used to keep in touch with the world, allowing for inspection into people's lives, and to assure that they are well educated in what is happening around them. I agree with this function as it pertains to my everyday life. From watching the morning news and listening to radio in the car on my way to work, having this surveillance function of media is how I personally stay in contact with the world everyday.
Entertainment and Play Function of Media: It has been theorized that mass communication plays a significant role in the entertainment of our society, and it has. But our text also brings to light the fact that in conjunction with providing entertainment, mass communication also informs the public, making it of significant importance to everyone as well. I agree that a significant amount of the mass media that I take in daily is for a self gratifying effect. I thoroughly enjoy media of all types, but entertainment media is on the forefront of the information I personally seek out.
Cultural Continuity Function of Media: This function has been described in many different ways for centuries. The bottom line is that we all know that our lives have been touched in a significant way by "Popular Culture". As each of us are exposed to what is new, exciting and what "Everyone wants", we too form our own opinions and desires by what is presented to us through mass communications. Whether the messages are appealing to the lowest or highest common denominator in our society, everyone is touched by mass communication of the form, and it does effect our perception of what is important or significant in our lives, and helps us to form our collective behaviors. Once again, I agree with this function, because I know that what I have viewed or been subjected to has helped me personally to form opinions about what I consider to be significant element of my culture and my views.
The first function, Surveillance, is the theory that all mass communication is used to keep in touch with the world, allowing for inspection into people's lives, and to assure that they are well educated in what is happening around them. I agree with this function as it pertains to my everyday life. From watching the morning news and listening to radio in the car on my way to work, having this surveillance function of media is how I personally stay in contact with the world everyday.
Entertainment and Play Function of Media: It has been theorized that mass communication plays a significant role in the entertainment of our society, and it has. But our text also brings to light the fact that in conjunction with providing entertainment, mass communication also informs the public, making it of significant importance to everyone as well. I agree that a significant amount of the mass media that I take in daily is for a self gratifying effect. I thoroughly enjoy media of all types, but entertainment media is on the forefront of the information I personally seek out.
Cultural Continuity Function of Media: This function has been described in many different ways for centuries. The bottom line is that we all know that our lives have been touched in a significant way by "Popular Culture". As each of us are exposed to what is new, exciting and what "Everyone wants", we too form our own opinions and desires by what is presented to us through mass communications. Whether the messages are appealing to the lowest or highest common denominator in our society, everyone is touched by mass communication of the form, and it does effect our perception of what is important or significant in our lives, and helps us to form our collective behaviors. Once again, I agree with this function, because I know that what I have viewed or been subjected to has helped me personally to form opinions about what I consider to be significant element of my culture and my views.
How well and how fairly do you believe African Americans, Latinos and other ethnic groups are represented in American Media?
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.
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.
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.
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