NDM case study: News on the Tweet

1.Why are respected news brands good news for Twitter?

This is because people are able to join into the debate when on Twitter because the stories which appeal to them they're able to get their own input in as well. Also with news being on Twitter it is more entertaining for the audience and they're more likely to engage.

2.Why in turn is Twitter good for respected news brands?

It allows people to connect with everyone around the world, pass time but also allows the audience to know what's going on around the world.

3.The report suggests that old and new media “are not, in fact, in direct competition, but often work extremely well together to enhance both the media eco-system and the consumer experience”. What evidence do they provide to support this idea? Do you agree with it?

I agree with this because both new and old platforms benefit eachother. An example of this would be citizen journalism being used on BBC news at 6 to capture certain stories where journalists aren't able to go to. However there is some competition as old media is starting to die down due to the accessibility of new media.

4.On page 24/25 of the report, the focus turns to 'gossip' or 'banter'. What example tweets from journalists are used to illustrate this?

I reveal the shocking truth behind Jennifer Anistons new hair, Arsenal are toast: in all seriousness though, what are the sales figures like for this kind of stuff.

5.Do you think the increasing amount of 'gossip' or 'banter' is harming the reputation of news and journalists?

I think it is harming the reputation of news and journalists as it increases because the news becomes more about the insight of celebrities life's rather than what's going on in the world which would mean things that we should be watching are less accessible because people want to know what the latest gossip story is.

6.What does the report say about trust in Twitter and journalists (look at pages 34-39)?

It says that Twitter should make sure that the News which is being published on the website is legit so that there can be some element of trust where the audience can go onto Twitter and know the stories aren't fake.

7.Do you think new and digital media developments such as Twitter have had a positive or negative impact on traditional newspapers?

I think that it has had a negative impact as traditional media is in decline and the news which is in newspapers is more regulated so it's more likely to be true rather than reading something online which could be false and people get false information. However, there has been some of a positive impact where traditional newspapers are being shared on social media websites so they work hand in hand which would promote more people to buy it.

8.Finally, how can we link this report to the vital current debate regarding fake news and Facebook? Do traditional news brands need protecting to ensure there are sources we can trust?

I think that Facebook needs to regulate their news better because people can't afford to be getting false information which happened during the US election. This is different with traditional news brands because they've gained the audience trust because the news has been regulated.

LR

WWW: This essay starts well with good focus on the question. It’s good to see you using the wording from the question in the opening paragraph (“consumption and production”). Your next paragraph on the decline of the newspaper industry follows on nicely from this and also considers audience consumption.

EBI: Overall, though, this is nowhere near enough for a MEST3 Section B essay. Think about the topics we’ve covered this term: how news consumption has changed (Ofcom report), paywalls and the future of journalism, journalism as a social good, citizen journalism, hyperreality and UGC, news values etc. You barely address any of this and don’t offer detailed examples for the topics you do cover.

LR: Create a list of key revision topics from our new/digital case study work this term based on your essay and feedback above. Revise these topics over Christmas for your January MEST3 Section B assessment

Globalisation
Hegemony
Marxism
Pluralism
Decline in Newspaper industry

Globalisation and fake news

The Guardian & the global problem of fake news

1) What similarities do you notice between the different countries outlined in the article and their problems with fake news?

The different counties all experience fake news and it is believed by the audience. In Germany it was believed that a 13 year old girl was sexual assaulted by foreigners but the story was fake. Another story was in Italy where they wanted women to stop getting abortions so they produced fake news so that it would persuade them not to get an abortion.
2) Is fake news an inevitable consequence of the "culture of freedom and innovation" that the internet has brought with it? Is there a way to stop it?

The internet will always allow people to produce fake news because it is so hard to regulate all the articles that are published by people. This makes it harder for consumers who are viewing the article to distinguish what's real and what's fake.
New York Times and the creation of fake news

1) Which fake news stories were particularly successful for Beqa Latsabidze, the 22-year-old student in Tbilisi, Georgia, who tried to make money from web articles on Trump? 

Fake news was created about the US elections and found that articles in favour of Donald Trump were more popular than those infavour of Hillary Clinton. A website was created discussing this topic and because of this generated revenue.
2) How much can Facebook and Google be blamed for this global rise in fake news?

Facebook and Google can only be blamed for the stories that are published on Facebook because that should be regulated better whereas Google should also be blamed for some content as that should've been regulated better as well. 

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 9/12/16

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/12/07/samsung-set-remove-headphone-jack-galaxy-s8/

Samsung have now started to copy their rivals with their innovative idea to remove the headphone jack on their next phone which is the galaxy s8. It now means that those who are on android have to deal with some of the difficulties that iPhone users have to go through such as having no headphone jack. Samsung are now in need for a new idea to work since the Note 7 that was produced had its battery explode on more than one occasion which was an inconvenience for the consumer.

I think that Samsung should try something innovative to try and gain the consumers that they lost to other brands due to their failure to the Note 7. The phone should allow people to communicate with each other more efficiently.

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 9/12/16

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38208524

This article is about a 3D printer which made a plastic leg for someone who had their leg missing. The printer is now able to do this which is revolutionary so it is now easier for people who have their leg amputated.

I think that this is a very effective thing to do as people are now able to get medical attention from these advances in technology which show that it's not only there to show innovative ideas to produce things that aren't as meaningful as this.

Media Magazine: Globalisation case study

1) Why was Google Glass controversial?

It was controversial because people were afraid that it was their privacy that was being leaked into. The glasses were able to record and people saw this as a threat where it was seen that it would potentially gain insight to their whole lifestyle and everyday life.

2) What are the positive elements to Globalisation that the article highlights?

One big element was that more people would be getting access to the internet and this would allow them to get more information which is beneficial to them. Google has also allowed there to be internet access in certain parts of New Zealand with balloons which have antennas to provide them with internet.

3) What are potential negatives to Globalisation?

If this happens then there will be less institutions who are in control but also it would influence peoples ideology as there would be access to information whenever they go online but it might not be true if it circulates which people then start to believe that it is real.

4) What is a techno-panic? How does it link to moral panics?

Techno panic is created because people are scared that the technology is going to invade their privacy which creates a moral panic because people are worried about this actually happening.

5) What is your opinion on the privacy debate and major corporations being able to access large quantities of personal data?

I think that Google shouldn't be allowed to access large amounts of data from the consumer unless they know about it but also have to give consent. Although it is said to be done to improve peoples experience with the internet it is peoples privacy which is being invaded and because of this there shouldn't be large amounts of information accessed.

Media Factsheet: Globalisation and capitalism

1) Who coined the phrase 'a global village' and what multinational companies illustrate this?

Marshall McLuhan created the idea that we have a global village and it is the idea that  countries become interconnected  and independent especially in economic terms. BBC is an example of this.

2) What role does Slavoj Zizek suggest the media plays in global capitalism? How can you link this to our previous work on Marxism and Hegemony?

Capitalism is where the country is controlled by private institutions and everything that happens in the country stays within it such as the exchange for goods and services. This links to Marxism and Hegemony because  countries become interconnected  and independent especially in economic terms.

3) What does 'capitalism with a conscience' mean?

The idea that when we buy something we aren't just buying the product but we are also buying the lifestyle and stereotypes that come with it.

4) What is the (PRODUCT) RED campaign?

It is a private sector company that is trying the eliminate aids in Africa and it came together with lots of other firms such as Nike to raise awareness about this through advertisement.

5) Based on what you've read in the Factsheet, what is YOUR opinion of the (PRODUCT) RED brand? Is it a positive force helping to fight AIDS in Africa or a cynical attempt to make multinational companies look more ethical than they actually are? 

I think that it is a positive thing that is being done because people are now more aware of the cause and if they see a brand which is promoting it that they are associated with they'll be more inclined to go and support it and help create awareness as well on social media websites.

NDM News: Globalisation

1) Is our news influenced by American cultural imperialism? Give some examples arguing for or against this perspective.

American news started to use the Malaysian plane when it went missing to generate more views because the story was of Interest to a lot of people so it was covered a lot more during the time.

2) Has the increased globalisation of news improved the audience experience? How? Why?

It has improved the audience experience because people are now able to access news from around the world which is to do with other cultures. This allows us to have a greater knowledge of what's going on around the world. However, this has caused a decline in local news over the years because people want to find out things about cultures that there is only limited news about their own area.

3) Has globalisation benefited or damaged major news institutions? How? Why?

Institutions are becoming bigger and this is also causing a decline in traditional media platforms such as the newspaper. It has had a negative and positive impact but I think it's been mostly negative because traditional media platforms are dying out.

Marxism & Pluralism - homework essay

The development of new/digital media means the audience is more powerful in terms of consumption and production. Discuss the arguments for and against this view.

In this essay I'll be exploring the different ways that the development of new digital media has changed the power that the audience has but also the consumption and production of information that audiences consume.

Consumers over the years have now become more powerful in terms of the consumption of news that they intake. The institutions that we have are losing the power that they had. This can be seen with the decline with the newspaper industry. Since the news has become something that we can access online more and more people have drifted away from accessing the content from a traditional platform such as the newspaper. This can be because of the convenience of accessing it online because of the advances in technology and people want to get the news for free rather than going out and paying for it. Castells 1996 says "technological blossoming of the culture of freedom, individual innovation and entrepreneurialism"; this highlights the advances of technology throughout the years which shows the power of consumers growing. News stories in the media about Japan building the fastest computer shows the advances that we have in technology because people are using it more. We have now become more accustomed to getting eveything quickly people want news faster so there'll be more advances in technology. Marxists would say that this information revolution has done little to benefit the audience.

Pluralists would say that E-media is a useful thing for people who want to set up cottage industries who want to produce news content. Al Gore states "The internet is an empowering tool... an exciting and revolutionary prospect." The internet has now allowed people to start posting their own news online citizen journalism, this is another example of how the audience has gained more control over the years because there is nothing to restrict them from posting online. Citizen journalism allows people to post news online which can be accessed from all around the world on social media websites and even news programmes like BBC news, channel 4 ect. use citizen journalism as well for there news stories. This shows how advances in technology have affected traditional media as they incorporate online scources on their news bulletins. One of the first cases of this was Rodney King who was a black man which was beaten up by the police and recidreded by a man which gave the video to local news stations to be aired. Apple have always created new phones and these have better quality and advances which makes it easier for people to record. This will improve the quality of citizen journalism as people won't be recording with old technology.

The audience have now gotten more news for free online and the institutions need to bring a paywall so that the journalists don't lose their jobs and news becomes unreliable. James Murdoch quotes "It is essential for the future of independent digital journalism digital journalism that a fair price can be charged for news to people who value it". The journalists are losing their jobs because people aren't paying for news anymore they're going online and getting news for free. This changes the accuracy of the news that people are receiving because it can be bias due to one person sharing their view whereas the BBC has to be impartial. Marxists however say that the institutions still have most of the power.

Pluralists view is that society is classesless. People in society are now gaining more power because of their power that new technology has given them such as being on social media websites, this gives people more access to more information which gives the consumers more control. Negroponte (1997) "the monolithic empires of mass media are dissolving into an array of cottage industries." People are communicating more online now and having an increase in power.

In conclusion, I think that consumers are in power more now because of the advances in technology have meant that they have more freedom and can do exactly what institutions do.

NDM News case study: index

1) Institution: the impact of Google on the newspaper industry
2) Ofcom report: how news consumption has changed
3) The future of newspapers: Build The Wall analysis
4) The decline of newspapers: the effect of online technology
5) The future of journalism: John Oliver and Clay Shirky
6) The decline of newspapers: Media Magazine case studies
7) Citizen journalism and hyper-reality: Media Magazine article and questions
8) News Values: theory and updating them for digital media landcape
9) Marxism & Pluralism: Media Magazine article and questions
10) Alain de Botton on the News: lecture and questions

11) Full NDM essay including paragraphs on Marxism andPluralism

12) Globalisation and news: cultural imperialism

13) Globalisation: taking it further (Google Glass casestudy and capitalism)

14) Fake news and globalisation - Guardian and New YorkTimes articles

15) News on the Tweet

Alain de Botton on the News: lecture and questions

1) To what extent do you agree with Alain de Botton's views on the News?

I  agree with what he has to say because people are now finding news that isn't important to be more interesting which is being published into newspapers and other stories which are important are being pushed away. Another issue is that the audience in today's society forget about what they've been told due to the amount of news that they're told. It's the fact that they're given so much news that hey forget.

2) How can you link Marxism and Hegemony to de Botton's criticisms of the News?

There is the abuse of power to promote a certain ideology for the consumers of the news. This is because the ruling class are in control and the news is a good way for them to keep control of the rest of society. 

3) How could you use Pluralism and new technology to challenge de Botton's views on the News?

News that we receive from certain platforms won't change, this is because they have a specific target audience that they reach out to but with the use of new technology, it is now easier to explore the other side to the story because we now have access to more platforms which gives us a better understanding of eveything.

4) Choose two news stories from the last six months - one that supports de Botton's views and one that challenges his belief that the News is used for social control. 

We have the story of Brexit which was told for a long amount of time which would've got people to become sick of listening to the same story everyday.

Also there are stories like the Habbo Hotel one which was talked about for majority of the show because of the seriousness which would've got people to concern more about that because it created a moral panic.

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 2/12/16

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/technology/2016/nov/29/facebook-fake-news-problem-experts-pitch-ideas-algorithms?client=ms-android-sonymobile

Facebook are now trying to get rid of fake news that is being posted on their social media website so that people do not get the wrong idea of what is going on in society which could change their ideology and impact them in a negative way. Rather than having a large group of people to search the hundreds of pages that Facebook have it is easier to use a machine but there are pros and cons which need to be sorted inorder for it to work to its full potential.

I think that this is a good idea and it needs to be done because people need to be informed with the right information and not anything thay could potentially cause someone to adopt an alternative reading to something which means the complete opposite which could manipulate people for the wrong reasons.

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 2/12/16

http://news.sky.com/story/japans-163139m-computer-will-be-fastest-in-world-making-130-quadrillion-calculations-a-second-10671180

Japan are making the world's fastest computer and it will be making 130 quadrillion calculations a second. It has already cost £139 million. The reason behind this is is to create a better learning experience for those who are using the computer. 

I think that this is a good way for technology to advance so that in the future we're all able to have technology as fast as this computer which will help people with educational purposes as well.

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 25/11/16

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/01/future-android-pixel-googleh

Google have now created their own phone which is called the pixel phone. It is one of the many brands of thay android have to offer which is about the consumer having choice and are all in direct competition with eachother but also with Apple. They've changed the way that the usual android phone operates and have started to add more features to it.

I think that this is a good decision by Google as they now have given more choice to consumers on the technology that they purchase. The new technology gives consumers more innovative goods which will change the way they use new digital media.

Weekly New/Digital Media Homework 25/11/16

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/12/01/justeat-replacing-delivery-drivers-robots/

When ordering food, we assume that it is going to be delivered by someone who works for the business but just eat has now started using robots to replace people to deliver food instead. It has now got partnership with Starship technology inorder to make this service possible.

I think that this is an efficient way for people food to be delivered as it will be quicker. However, the disadvantage of this is that it will mean that people are more likely to lose their jobs because they're being placed by robots. There could also be problems with the technology itself which could deliver the food to the wrong persons house which could cause more delays.