Post-colonialism: Edward Said

1) Summarise the three theorists we have looked at: Alvarado, Fanon and Said.

-Alvarado theory(1987) looks at 4 key themes in racial representations: exotic, dangerous, humours and pitied. 
-Frantz Fanon 1950's : "Black skin, white mask" - he realised that many modern black people felt that they had to "put on a white mask". - This could be through their language or clothing styles "to speak mean to assume a culture" 
-Edward Said (1978) he argued that the west - particularly was colonising Europe - constructed meaning of the east & said it was deferent, dangerous and uncivilised. "The other"   [Exotic east vs superior west] 

2) Watch the opening of Yasmin (2004) again. Does it offer a positive or negative view of British Muslims? To what extent does it reinforce or challenge Edward Said's theory of Orientalism - that the west is superior to the exotic or uncivilised east?

- Yasmin mostly offered positives views of British Muslims through several ways, however there are way where is does offer negative view of British Muslims too. One of the ways that is a positive view of British Muslims is being how the portoginst (Yasmin) was helping disable children, and it showed of what good deeds she does. In addition, it also brings positive views is because it shows how Muslim people are good within their communities and are able to live well within themselves and not being associated with the label of 'exotic' or 'dangerous'. The fact that the whole community get together to pray, shows the realistic view of how a muslim community is - united and living in peace happily - this does challenge the representations that British Muslims are faced with. 

However it does also show negative view of British Muslims because of the "rule breaking" Yasmin does, when Yasmin takes off her religious garments behind her families back  and going to a bar thats full of men with her friend goes against the religion of Islam. In addition, when Yasmin comes back home with her religious clothing back on and police stop her, it reinforces the view of what other non-muslims people would have against muslims as 'dangerous' or even 'exotic'. 

Edward Said's theory is reinforced in this because it shows how the protagonist is trying to hide her identity from others as accepts her 'western culture' behind her families back. The writing of "Paki go home" on a shutter suggest that the people are against the minority that live in the area, and that the 'west is superior".  

3) Finally, choose THREE clips for EACH of the theorists and explain how you could apply that theory to the clip. Pick a selection of clips on YouTube from TV, film, music video or advertising and embed them in your blog before writing your analysis under each clip. Note: this means you need NINE clips in total on this blogpost.

Music videos 

Alvarado -   Ill Manors [Plan B] 

From the music video, it shows how Plan B and other teenagers who seen they have been bought up in a city on a council estate as many serval scenes are shown outside of them, one would only assume majority of the teenagers are from here and also they are voicing their opinions about powerful people and 'rich kids'. Alvarado theory would be fitted her because through the teenagers clothing and actions is the video, it would be seen that the the teenagers are dangerous. 

Frantz Fanon - Black or White [Michael Jackson]

Michael Jackson can be represented within Frantz Fanon theory as he did bleach his face or got plastic surgery to change his look (this has been conspiracy theories) - "black face, white mask". This could be done because of how famous is still his, maybe he had the pressure of fitting in and representing his western culture. 

Edward Said - We are the world 25 for Haiti

Throughout the clip we can see how the west empathises with the southeast.Due to the earthquake, famous celebrities covered the famous Michael Jackson song, for their those who suffered from it and trying to raise awareness of the matter. It could alsmost be seen as how the westerns are the heroes and the southeast need their rescue for everything to then be better. This reinforces the theory of western being superior than the east. 

Film 

Alvarado - Gone Too Far

Alavardo theory of humours and pitied can be represented her because for example humours because of the how the brother of the protagonist is dressed and this accent can relate to the movie as being comedy. Pitied can be fit here because of how the movie is set in a small house and near a council state can show the representation of lower/middle class lifestyles and as well as the people living in the estates just like a majority of the black community are represented to being adapted in.

Edward Said - My Name is KHAN

This movie was disturbed few years after 9/11, this movie can represent the lives of how a muslim can be represented in the Western countries. This can be linked to Said's theory of orientalist. The west is seen as  superior  to the east as it can be suggest that the east have overcome the events of 9/11, which was posed by the east, as they are seen as they 'terrorist. It also links to Said's theory because to the west it seems like people from the east are seen as dangerous - within this movie, the protagonist is trying to prove the west wrong. 

Frantz Fanon ?

Advertising

Alvarado -  Oxfam advert 

This advert links to Alvarado's theory of pitied, the fact that this advert is showing people who are suffering and making questioning our actions towards us makes us the wince feel sorry for those who are in need of our help. 

Frantz Fanon - Oreo Dare to Wonder 

Frantz Faron Theory of infantizilize can be fitted her, as it be seen as the child is taking the role of her father instead - telling him how eat an Oreo, when in fact we as the audience would expect it be the other way round. It makes us the audience see the mature side of the children.  

Edward Said ?

Weekly New Digital Media - 01.02.17 (42)

Parents exposing children to cyber-bullying by creating underage accounts on social media

                               

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/parents-exposing-children-to-cyber-bullying-by-creating-underage-accounts-on-social-media-8949376.html

Summary: A new study suggest that, prents may be inadvertently exposing their children to cyber-bulling and inappropriate online behaviour. The student that was commissioned by cyber-security firm McAfee and the Anti-Bullying Alliance, served 1012 UK children between age 10 - 17 and 1013 adults with at least one child aged 10 - 17. hose behind the study have suggested that “some parents may be unintentionally exposing their children to inappropriate behaviour and cyber-bullying” due to a lack of online parental controls and by setting up their children’s social network accounts for them.

[] 46% of parents have set up their children’s social media profile.

[] 45% of parents have set up a Facebook account for a child under 13, despite the age restrictions

[] Just over one in ten parents also claimed that current age restrictions are “too limiting” and that “younger children should be able to join social networks”.

[] Around a third of parents admit that they have never talked with their children about online safety.

[] 19% of parents have set up parental controls on all of their children’s internet-accessible devices at home.

[] 23% of children who directed a comment with cruel or abusive language at someone online considered it “mean”, and only 9% considered it cyber-bullying.

[] 32% of parents surveyed felt that better knowledge of the internet and social networks would leave them feeling better equipped to do this.

My Opinion: Since the new and digital media is delveoping, a lot of young audience are keen on being part of that developing and being invovled just as much as older audience are. Despite how old a person can be, keeping safe on the internet is very essential, the internet doesnt need to be a bad place but there are people on the internet that think it is 'funny' to do things such as cyber bullying. Parents need to be aware of what their child is doing online and esspecially on social media, the figures above are shocking such as some parents have actually set up their child's social media page. Both young audience and parents need to be educated and aware of the internet and what it can potentially do if people are not careful or at least aware of what happens - with this is could limit to issues such as this. 

Weekly New Digital Media - 01.02.17 (41)

Daily Mail owner to cut more than 400 jobs amid print advertising decline

                              

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/daily-mail-online-jobs-cuts-400-losses-dmgt-a7336986.html

Summary: The owner of the Daily Mail has announced it will cut more than 400 jobs after a double-digit decline in print advertising last year. A strategic review of the businesses owned by Daily Mail & General Trust (DMGT) has been launched in response to "challenging market conditions," said the company in a statement. Just less than half" of the job cuts will come from DMG Media, but editorial job cuts are "not a significant part of the mix," said DMGT chief financial officer Stephen Daintith.  Mr Daintith said the recent DMG media ad revenue decline came as it faced tough comparisons from a year earlier. He added there had been no signs of a direct impact of the Brexit vote on the business.

[] This reorganisation will result in an exceptional operating cost of £50 million – more than three times the amount suggested earlier this year. 

[] DMGT employs around 10,000 staff worldwide

[] 2,700 employed by DMG media, home of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Mail Online, Metro and US-based site Elite Daily.

[] In May, DMGT said print advertising revenues had declined 13 per cent in the six months to the end of March 2016, and to 15 per cent in the first quarter of this year.

[] From the update on Thursday. the group have said they have seen a growth of 4% in revenue - 2% underlying revenue decline of 2% by a "weak UK print advertising market"

[] Online advertising driven by MailOnline has been helping offset the impact, with ad sales up 18 per cent in the first 11 months of its financial year.

[] Newspaper circulation revenues rose 1 per cent in July and August

[] Daily Mail have raised there price from 5p to 65p [ this happened in first time in 3 years in February. 

My opinion: Due to the numbers seen from above obviously shows that the newspaper industry is having a really tough time to make revenue and generate as a newspaper. By Daily mail needing to increase their price of their newspaper means that not many people are getting the newspaper and even if people are, they aren't enough for them to continue on. As new and digital media is repeatedly gaining the notice of people and even older generations  I feel like majority of the people are leaving the traditional ways of news behind, many people now get their news online because of the convergence that is available to them. They have an easier option to view news online to where they mostly are anyway. Slowly but surely, I think print will be officially dead. 

Media Magazine Conference

How to be Creative - 7 tips from the front line [ Tim Clague]

• Volunteer - 'getting involved' ; behaviour to creativity 
• No one comes from nowhere ; media portrays people come from nowhere and then they are automatically found (this is shown is shows from X Factor etc) ; they don't exactly tell the reality; education and stuff. 
• Put everything into everything - but life is not a meritocracy ; Need to show every time, never short cut anything ; Don't be fooled with your being the best.
• Don't wait to be invited, just crack on with it - better for things to take time 'keep doing it anyway even if finished' 

An Interview with Chucklefish Games [ Rosie Ball] 

• Competition leads to connections at times 
• Continuing to show their stuff through the internet (social media and blogs etc) to their audience which then lead to fundings and money 
• Directly talking to your audience at all times 
• Streaming the video before launch - testing before hand and trying to convince people before hand about what is to be expected in the games 

Sports Journalism [ Leon Mann] 

• BBC and ITV interviewer for sports 
• Understanding the environment but being comfortable - no younger audience 
• BB1, 2 and 3 - 3 different ounces 'the fatests man who ever lived'
• seek new information 
• being always prepared - questions, information about whom your interviewing, background information
• believing in yourself 
• be yourself 
• sports media has a lack of diversity 
• personality and perspective skills - limits perspective of storytelling 
• Value diversity 
• Challenge respectfully - stay true to your value

Young Filmmakers' Panel 

• NFTS
• check sound even if you think it would be okay 

Young People, Media and Democracy [ Shakuntala Banaji] 

• Democracy through the internet 
• just the media - good or bad 
• increase the control of all media by a few corporation 
• 'the economic' crisis, various spending cuts 
• social, cultural economic and institution racism 
• Increasing fragmentation 
• young people use the internet to do democracy - mainly on social media and stating what they believe in - sharing their vies to a wider audience 
• Young people prefer face to face communication rather than online 
• Engaging youth: media stereotypes, cultural identity, youth justice, jobs, racism, global corporation, student rights
• Media full of stereotypes + full if misleading things - fake news 
• Participation through internet 0 ling term may not being something that is taught but wool it always be so effective 
• simple messages travel much faster than complex ones 

An Audience [ Tony Garnett] 

• All of his movies were influences from his experiences
• wanted to show working people - ordinary citizens and their lifestyles
• reflecting people for who they are not what they are portrayed to be 
• Each movie feels truth but not THE truth 
• Each film is political
• He was telling 'lies' but the '9 o'clock news was telling the truth because it was the 'news' 
• News will be always somebody else 'news' and from what they think of it 
• We make sense of ourself through story telling 
• 'tell me a story' we kept saying when we were 3 but not knowing we will be always saying it since then 

Identities: Post-colonial theory & blog tasks

We are interested in post-colonialism and identity in terms of the representation of non-white groups in British media.

Two key post-colonial theorists:

Alvarado (1987)

Four key themes in racial representations; often quoted in relation to the black community but can be applied to other non-white groups:

• Exotic (models; music artists; food)
• Dangerous (crime; gangs; socially dysfunctional)
• Humorous (comedians; sidekicks; quirky)
• Pitied (poverty)

Frantz Fanon: “Putting on the white mask”

Typically black stereotypes can:

• Infantilize - such as the 'cute' children of the Charity Poster or the 'simple-minded‘ 'Step ‘n’ fetch it‘ lazy comedian.
• Primitivize - The 'exotic & virile' tribal warriors or 'bare-breasted maidens' with a 'natural sense of rhythm‘. Sporting prowess.
• Decivilize - The 'Gangsta', 'Pimp' etc.
• Essentialize - Undifferentiated mass-'they all look the same to me'

 Read the excellent article exploring the different representations of black people in British film and TV from Media Magazine 42 (MM42 from our Media Magazine archive - page 51)

2) List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article.

Films 

- Ill Manors 

- Adulthood 

- Kidulthood

- Shank 

- Attack the Block 

Tv programmes

- Top Boy 

- Lines of Duty

- Luther 

- Dr Who 

- 55 Degrees North 

Online only Productions 

- Brothers with no game 

- Venus vs Mars 

- Meet the Adebanjos

- The Rayn Sisters 

- All about the Mckenzies

3) Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question and aim for at least 350 words.

Alvarado's theory

• Pity - the fact that a Nigerian family were trying to fit in within the community within a small house.  
• Humorous - The brother coming from Nigeria - "the freshie" through the clothing and language gives away the comedy. Even the protagonist who seems to be born and bred here, is portrayed as humorous at times, because of the actions we see from him - like walking into poles or how is not able to talk to the girl he likes. 
• Exotic- The mothers traditional clothes are especially very different from 'normal' clothes that everyone is wearing due to the bright colours and detailed patterns that represents her culture. Also, the accents of the newcomer and the mother reinforce the difference and identity letting everyone becoming aware of it too. 
• Dangerous - "roadman" are shown through the movie and as one of the 'boyfriends' are being represented as one.  - white male trying to be black - clothing also represents as a 'roadman' or ' thug' 

Fanon's theory

• Infantilise - since this movie is a comedy, infantilise wouldn't be seen because the movie doesn't raise serious issues.
• Primitive - 
• Decivilise - All the youths are represented to be gangsters or chavs through clothing and the violence that the boys show whilst playing football. As also in 'tight jeans' the language and the way they are talking about themselves gives the effect of decivilise. 
• Essentialize - The girls assumed that the brother was not speaking English due to his accent, which then lead them to thinking that the brother isn't from London and is a foreigner. 

Weekly New and Digital Media - 25.01.17 (40)

BBC sets up team to debunk fake news

                         

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/12/bbc-sets-up-team-to-debunk-fake-news 

My opinion: The BBC is to assemble a team to fact check and debunk deliberately misleading and false stories masquerading as real news. news chief James Harding told staff on Thursday that the BBC would be “weighing in on the battle over lies, distortions and exaggerations”. The plans will see the corporation’s Reality Check series become permanent, backed by a dedicated team targeting false stories or facts being shared widely on social media. The BBC can’t edit the internet, but we won’t stand aside either,” Harding said. “We will fact check the most popular outliers on Facebook, Instagram and other social media. False information around big events such as the UK’s referendum on leaving the EU and the US election has been especially rife, with numerous instances of completely fabricated stories, many of which are created with the sole aim of generating advertising revenue from people viewing the stories. The BBC’s Reality Check team will focus on content that is clearly fabricated and attempting to mislead the public into thinking it has been produced by a reputable news organisation.

[] The plans include an expertise network drawing on staff across BBC, which has received £290m to expand its reach into new languages + putting more resources into data journalism. 

[] corporation had been inundated by news in 2016 because the world was “living in an age of instability”.

My Opinion: BBC is such a large organisation and a institution, they have a lot of power to get things done and have control of things but not that many either. Many people and organisation know that fake news is really recurring on social media sites and the problem lies in the social media not being able to control this, this is why bigger institutions such as BBC now have to get involved.  This on going problem raises alarms for a wider audiences but then they are doubting their trust on the site which then can lead to many people not visiting sites no more or giving out complaints - due to social networks not being able to control and trying to fix the problem.  BBC organisation getting involved and trying to fix these issue shows that the impact of fake news is much bigger than people realise and needs to be tackled and now they need to just come up with a plan that can fix or limit these fake news sources coming up. 

Weekly New Digital Media - 25.01.17 (39)

Snapchat cracks down on risque images and fake news 

                        

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/24/snapchat-cracks-down-on-soft-porn-and-fake-news 

Summary: Snapchat is tightening up its guidelines for publishers on its Discover service, banning the posting of risque images without editorial value, and clarifying guidelines intended to prevent the spread of fake news on the platform. Snapchat’s parent company, are intended to “empower our editorial partners to do their part to keep Snapchat an informative, factual and safe environment for everyone”. Due to the prominence of Discover features in Snapchat’s app, the cover story is visible even to users who simply use the service to talk with friends and family. Snapchat’s new rules will require some news justification or other editorial value before such stories can be posted to the service. Snap also plans to give publishers a tool in February that will allow them to age-gate content, presenting different stories to users over and under 18, according to the New York Times. The rules against questionable pictures, Snapchat Discover will also begin to crack down on the hot topic for most social networks: so-called fake news. Publishers will now be required to start fact-checking Discover stories, both those published in the app and linked to from it. Snap gives publishers editorial independence, but “follows up with publishers if their readers raise questions about their sourcing, accuracy or other factors”

[] The app bars children from under 13 from making accounts, but allows 13- to 17-year-olds on the service

[] Company to tighten up guidelines on its Discover service, banning semi-nude photos without editorial value and encouraging fact-checking 

[] In July 2016, Snapchat faced a lawsuit over sexualised Discover stories. This was eventually sullied in court 

My Opinion: I think that Snapchat is much more prepared and have a lot more control of what is being published on their app. This becomes in their advantage as they are able to control their content that is shared on their 'Discovery' section as it is available to all users of Snapchat. With Facebook, this is were the lack the control and aren't able to handle the fake news situation because they don't have gatekeepers seeing what is being posted on their site. As explained in the summary, it states that yes Snapchat does give freedom and independance to their editors, but they always follow up with them if any complaints are made, this is what keeps Snapchat above all the other social sites regarding the fake news situations and that is also how Snapchat is in favour of their audiences and users. 

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 on Marxism and Pluralism
12) Globalisation and news: cultural imperialism
13) Globalisation: taking it further (Google Glass case study and capitalism)
14) Fake news and globalisation - Guardian and New York Times articles
15) News on the Tweet 

January assessment: Learner Response

Complete the following tasks on your blog as your learner response:

1) Type up your feedback in full (you do not need to write mark/grade if you do not wish to).

- www: Good references to Marxism and Pluralism. 

- ebi: You need to talk more about the news case study - the impact of NDM upon it. Write a paragraph on this. 

2) Read through the mark scheme (go to the last two pages of the document - Section B New/digital media). Of the six different statements for each level (e.g. A sophisticated and comprehensive essay, showing very good critical autonomy.) write which level you think YOU are currently working at for each one. Explain WHY and, for any that are not Level 4, what you are going to do to improve in that area.  

 ; A sophisticated and comprehensive essay, showing very good critical autonomy; level 3. I could improve explaining my answers in depth and giving clarity to the overall paragraph. 

; Sophisticated and detailed understanding of new and digital media; level 3. I could improve on mentions different methods/examples (exploring the wider media issues) of new and digital media, this way i could be also specific to making my points. 

; Sharp focus on the question throughout; Level 3 - I am believe that as i already have clear topic sentences to introduce what i will be talking about within the paragraph,but I do need to be clearer to how I link it back at the end. 

; Sophisticated application of a wide range of media debates, issues and theories and wider contexts; Level 3 - Using more theories and quotation to back up my points also using more terminology throughout my essay. 

; A comprehensive individual case study, with a wide range of detailed examples; Needing to include specific references from wider range of debates and examples of NDM. 

; Well structured, articulate and engaged ; Level 3 - linking it back to the question at the end of each paragraph and not being also so repetitive. 

3) Look at the Examiners' Report for this particular paper. Read page 10 - Section B New/digital media. How many of the good points or higher level answer examples did you include in your essay? What were they? What could you have added to improve your mark?

- The examples that I have used in my essay were: 

 ; Higher level answers debated the arguments for and against. 

 ; Good answers discussed the reasons why there was democracy or not, using media issues, debates and wider contexts.  

- To improve my mark i could have added: 

 ; Addressed the harder concepts of democracy, but were able to apply it to a really wide range of cause studies and just obvious ones like news

 ; discuss the roles of audiences and producers. 

4) Read through these exemplar A grade essays from last year. What do these essays offer that yours does not? Identify THREE things you can take from these essays to improve your own responses in future.

[] What the essays offer that mine don't: 

- Wider context - add in the weekly stories examples/info 

- more quotations/theories 

- mentioning social networking and other new and digital examples 

[] What i can take away: 

- following paragraphs 

- Specific examples - linking them back to question much more specifically

- Exploring wider debates. 

5) Write ONE new paragraph for your January assessment essay. Ideally, this should be a section you did not cover in your original essay. This paragraph needs to be comprehensive and meet the criteria for Level 4 of the mark scheme.

Question 6: "The internet is a democratic space, where we all free to participate equally." 

Using your own case study, discuss whether the impact of new and final media is democratic. 

Following the statement of the internet being a democratic space, to where we are all free to participate equally is can also mean that there is a lot of impact on new and digital media, this can have a mostly positive impact but there also a negative impact and this all depends on the users of the internet. Through the development of new and digital media, users of the internet are being more active rather than passive to what they see and how they act online. Social networks such as Instagram and Twitter engage their audiences very well through their site as well as how they take part in the site. The new update of Instagram of having a "live video" means that audiences are able to connect to such a wider audiences and have the access of watching people whatever the distance is, this update is sort of what periscope is but Instagram have also allowed this stream to happen on their site, the benefit of convergence on one social site means that audience have much better accessibility to what is being offered to them. Audience are active within this term because taking part of a live video means that audiences are using the update that is bought to them, through the live video, opinions/thoughts can be expressed or audiences keeping each other updated but just through a video way instead of a writing form. In addition, audiences are also active in the sense of expressing their views on matters that issues that matters to them, for example, a recent march went through against Donald Trump being a president, women took part in the march specifically. Hashtags on Twitter was trending and kept everyone aware of it, on Snapchat there was also a story itself of the march and what was going on for such a large audience to see. By this, it shows that the internet is a democratic space, where we are all free to participate equally because these examples are allowing audience to be active and express themselves in different ways and having platforms do them in. 

Additional paragraph on NDM weekly story examples

The internet is such a large platform for audiences to get involved in and be a part of, some of the things that are put on have a beneficial for the audiences to know survival; this being one of the uses and gratification theory. Lately, there have been uses alarming fake news specially on social media such as Facebook, there has been a lot of stories stating the rise of fake news on Facebook especially and nothing has been really done about it as audiences do believe what they read, this questions if audiences are really active or not. Through the fake news, it can be seen that Andrew Keens quote of "dumbing down" can be reinforced on how fake news can dumb down audience and make them believe everything that they seen online. This ongoing issue can question if audience are really active or not, this also can be seen as a issue because online there aren't gatekeepers to track and see if the information is real or not. On traditional media such as newspaper, audience would believe that all the information that is put across is true because there would have been several people checking the resources and seeing if the information is correct, online; audiences don't have that. Anyone and everyone can upload anything and make the source feel real and that is the dangerous part of the internet being such as democratic space and where audience are free to participate equally. 

Weekly New Digital Media - 18.01.17 (38)

Are students justified in banning the sale of newspapers on campus?

                               
https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2017/jan/17/are-students-justified-in-banning-the-sale-of-newspapers-on-campus

 Summary: University of London when four people debate whether campus campaigns against the sale of the Sun, Daily Mail and Daily Express are justified. In November last year, members of City’s student union voted to ban the three papers from the campus. They argued that the papers had run Islamophobic stories and also “actively scapegoat the working classes they so proudly claim to represent”. they further claimed that “freedom of speech should not be used as an excuse to attack the weakest and poorest members of society” and that the titles publish stories that are “inherently sexist”.


[] Fewer than 200 of the university’s 19,500 student population attended the meeting

My Opinion: The positive of this is that students are realising the things that are against their wills/values that appear on newspapers and they are wiling to fight back. But since there is already a decline on newspapers and this industry, by these tabloid newspaper not selling in the university, it can cause their business real damage. The problem is that news papers are approaching their audience in the wrong ways, they are putting articles or issues that audiences do not like hearing about or things that are stated indirectly about them or things that are categorised towards them within society.  

Weekly New Digital Media - 18.01.17 (37)

Theresa May to become first PM on the cover of American Vogue

                                             

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/15/theresa-may-to-become-first-pm-on-the-cover-of-american-vogue 

Theresa May is to become the first British prime minister to feature on the cover of American Vogue. The cover was orchestrated, in secret, by editor Anna Wintour. The cover shot of May was taken last week by esteemed photographer Annie Leibovitz at Chequers, the prime minister’s country retreat. Margaret Thatcher appeared several time in British Vogue, May is the first prime minister to appear on the cover of the US edition of the fashion magazine. May has been very open about her love of fashion and a recent article in Vogue praised her bold fashion choices saying she was already “pushing the boundaries of prime ministerial attire.”

[] May’s magazine spread will appear in the April edition of Vogue, which goes on sale in March.

[] Speaking on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs in 2014, May chose a lifetime subscription to Vogue as her luxury item.

My Opinion: Its nice seeing another side to the PM and seeing her interest. Her interest can help young audience or audiences who also share the same interest can find it easier to identify with her. By seeing that she is the first British PM to feature on the cover of US Vogue must be a honour for her as it should be since of how she joined in to be a PM.

Identities and the Media: Reading the riots

• How did the language and selection of images in the coverage create a particular representation of young people? 

The language and the selection of images in the coverage create a very negative representation of young people. The images include the young audience wearing a hoodie and tack suits, by the clothing itself raises alarms for wider audiences and cause a moral panic for them and it also categorises the young audiences. The language used; youth, chav, destructive reinforce the issues/problems the wider audience have against young people. Through this, society will judge and have a bad representation of young people through this. 

• Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?

David Buckingham mentioned Own jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class because the book mentions the society and the ideology that is put not the audiences head (hypodermic needle theory). Owen Jones had said that wider audiences have fear towards the working class and this sis could stem from the shoes such as the character of Catherine Tate or like Little Britain. 

• What is the typical representation of young people – and teenage boys in particular? What did the 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey find?

The typical representation of young people and especially teen boys in pearlier are representation as people who don't do much in the media and who are destructive to the society. Teenage boys who are upper class and in either private schools would never be put in the negative representation but would be seen as teenagers to look up too for who are in the negative representation by the media. The 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey found out that 40% of the articles that features youngsters, focused on anti-soical behaviour and what crimes had been committed by them. 

• How can Stanley Cohen’s work on Moral Panic be linked to the coverage of the riots?

Stanley Chone's work on Moral Panic can be linked to the coverage of the riots because it is alarming the wider audience to be aware of young people and their capability of their wrong doings and what damage they can cause to the society. The media showed the audiences that they were at danger with the young people that were living in their community and for them to be aware of them. 

• What elements of the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots?

There were many causes to the riots, and media and popular culture are the very attention. In the article, it states that rap music which mentioned violence. By young people looting stores and people advertising that, it didn't mention if it was it was something that needed to be something the audience to look of or be aware off. In addition, there are also dates raised to the government neglecting youth, and which then could have also made the riots to happen more and become a bigger problem than to when it first started. 

• How was social media blamed for the riots? What was interesting about the discussion of social media when compared to the Arab Spring in 2011?

Social media such as Twitter can be blamed for the riots because how openly it allowed audiences to communicate with one and other, using trends to keep up withe discussions that were having with wider audiences and seeing what peoples opinion were about it. The Arab Spring in 2011 was very similar because people also used social media; Twitter to create revolution. 

• The riots generated a huge amount of comment and opinion - both in mainstream and social media. How can the two-step flow theory be linked to the coverage of the riots? 

The two step flow theory can be linked to this because news coverage and journalists can change or allow audiences to think about their views on the riots. In the article it gives an example of an ex teacher; Katherine Bibalisingh, she is a blogger and news columinst, she has said that Mark Duggan had fired a gun at the police, since there is no evidence of him doing so, this made audiences more angry but it created bad representation against Mark Duggan and his family because of the violence behaviour that was accused against them. 

• Alternatively, how might media scholars like Henry Jenkins view the 'tsunami' of blogs, forums and social media comments? Do you agree that this shows the democratisation of the media?

Henry Jenkins views were seen as positive within the society  through his blogs, forums and social media comments.  Henry Jenkins tend to celebrate these kinds of ‘participatory’media; while some even see this as evidence of a wholesale democratisation of the communications system.

• What were the right-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

There responses were very against teenagers and their expressed their fear towards them and how they have no respect for authority or the law itself. They also debated that youg people have no morals with no respect. They even went to an extent to say that animals are better trained and manner than some of the youth of the streets..

• What were the left-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The left wing response were more towards thinking/responding what may have caused the youth to react in such ways, some say of the services that are have been limited to the youth and also inequality and poverty could be also issues why youth went out their way and behaved like they did.

• What are your OWN views on the main causes of the riots?

In my opinion, i think youth reacted a lot because of their anger towards the elite and how they have behaved towards them. Also because a lot of communications/messages spread over social media that allowed such a vast majority of young people to get involved into this. In addition, i also think a part of the left wing responses were right as in it could be possibility of low employment rate especially for teens to not get jobs, and just youth getting out their anger. 

• How can capitalism be blamed for the riots? What media theory (from our new/digital media unit) can this be linked to?

Capitalism can be considered to be blamed for the riots, as we as discovered before that the powerful is not also trusted with their power. Hegemony can be a theory that can be linked to this as the elite are in so much control of how audience preserve things, they inject audiences with their ideologies to the society to make them believe that society would be in a certain way and no other way that challenging their views and if so, then they are wrong. 

• Were people involved in the riots given a voice in the media to explain their participation?

No, people that were involved in the riots weren't given a voice in the media to explain to why they could involved or even their thoughts on it, this may be because the ellite knew that there could be possibility of the people who got involved in the riots were going to expose them or challenge their ideologies. 

• In the Guardian website's investigation into the causes of the riots, they did interview rioters themselves. Read this Guardian article from their Reading the Riots academic research project - what causes are outlined by those involved in the disturbances?

The causes that are outline by those involved in the disturbance:

- Unemployment 

- Political grievances 

- Gang members only payed a marginal role 

- Social media wasn't used in significant way but BBM was used too. 

- Looting was down to opportunity

- Materialistic desires. 

• What is your own opinion on the riots? Do you have sympathy with those involved or do you believe strong prison sentences are the right approach to prevent such events happening in future?

In my opinion, it makes sense to why youth got involved into these riots, some of them did just do it and because everyone else got involved, others had a real meaning to it and I really think it is their anger towards the elite and how they have been treating the youth for example the rise in the uni tuition fee also had been in the minds of audience for them to also react. I understand that violence only causes more distribution and chaos to happen and doesn't resolve nothing but then again some youth have been quite and gone about the riots in other peaceful ways but that also didn't do anything either. In my opinion, i feel like youth and the elite are very two end of the spectrum to where now they wouldn't see eye to eye on things because of how they have treated the youth and how youth have behaved back.