Issue 10: "Will Evolving Forms of Journalism Be an Improvement?"

We live in a society known as the "information age" as well as the "digital age". The internet has become one of the main sources for information in today's society, causing journalism to evolve. Now, we even something called citizen journalism, where anyone could post updates of news. We as a society don't need to wait for news to come out through newspapers, anymore. In the text, there are two arguments. Mark Deuze, Axel Bruns and Christoph Neuberger take on the YES argument concerning this issue. David Simon takes on the NO argument concerning this issue. The YES argument shows the rewards as well as the difficulties of news organizations that are trying to incorporate participatory news practices. The NO argument shows or tries to make the point that high end journalism is dying in America.

I believe that the new forms of journalism can be beneficial. News goes around a lot faster and people can get the news from those who experienced the event, first hand.

Issue 7: "Is Advertising Good for Society?"

There are definitely pros and cons to advertising. Advertising has changed a lot overtime and now covers a much wider range of media. in the text, there are two arguments to this issue. Former U.S Trade Commission economist John Calfee, takes on the YES argument. Dinyar Godrej takes on the NO argument. John Calfee argues that advertising helps consumers make better decisions because advertising puts out a lot of information on a product. Dinyar Godrej argues that advertisements play with the consumer's emotions. The goal of advertisers is just to sell the products and so the advertisments create anxiety within the consumer if they do not get the product. He also makes the argument that advertising causes people to buy more than they need.

I feel that for this issue in particular, the arguments have pretty solid and interesting points. The question given at hand is actually a pretty difficult question to answer. While there are benefits to advertising, I feel that the ethics of business and selling products are questionable.

Issue 12: "Is Hate Speech in the Media Directly Affecting our Culture?"

There isn't really a clear and definite definition for the term "hate speech". For most cases, it can be seen as, as stated in the text, something that "demonstrates some level of contempt for other people, but the term is meant to convey the deliberate bias toward and discrimination against persons that could be incited because of the form of hate speech." In the text, there are two arguments to this issue. Scholar Henry Giroux takes on the YES argument, that hate speech does in fact affect our culture. Then we have Georgie Ann Weatherby and Brian Scoggins that take on the NO argument. Henry Giroux believes that hate speech has ultimately created a culture of cruelty. He believes that citizens are beginning to undermine our government's responsibility to protect the interests of people. Also, he makes a point that hate speech has become an exercise of power. On the other hand, Georgie Ann Weatherby and Brian Scoggins found sites that downplay the messages of hate by using other persuasive techniques. The thing about this article that doesn't make it as convincing is that, they only examined web pages of four extremist groups. Ir narrows the subject of hate speech to one form of media, but hate speech is found in all types of media. Just because there are a few web pages that don't have any form of focus on hate speech, it doesn't mean all forms of media is like that.

Article: "Email: 'Time to kill the wealthy'"

This article explains how several New York lawmakers have been recieving threatening E-mails. The E-mails, entitled "Time to Kill the Wealthy", are being sent by those in support of the state's tax surcharge on millionaires. Figures such as the State Assembly Speaker, State Senate Majority Leader and the State Assembly Majority have already recieved the E-mail. According to them, the message(s) are very detailed and disturbing. The messages also make some reference to the terminology found in the Occupy Movement. A section in the article states:

"The email references terminology that has been used in the “Occupy Wall Street” movement — that the1 percent, the super rich, are exploiting the remaining 99 percent of Americans. The angry message demanded that Albany politicians “stop shoveling wealth from the lower 99 percent into the top 1 percent” and “set aside your ‘no new taxes on anybody’ pledge.”"

The current state of the New York surcharge on millionaires is about to expire. As of now, the governor is opposed to renewing it. I feel that I understand where those a part of the "99 percent", that are sending those e-mails, are coming from. It makes me wonder whether or not the government will take into consideration the messages. Also, if they do, are they doing it to better the nation or because their afraid of the threats in the messages?

(Article URL: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65307.html)

The Arab Spring

1. The Arab Spring is basically a movement of protests and demonstrations that have been occurring across the middle east, as well as north Africa. Motivation for this movement come from factors such as government corruption and employment decline. Through the Arab Spring, governments have already been overthrown. Just like many other protests, violence is another result of this movement.

2. The role of "citizen journalists" in this movement is basically to aware others of what is going on. Not only does "citizen journalists" arise awareness to the movement itself, but also to the results and changes that occurred because of the movement. By using media such as Facebook and Twitter, these citizen journalists are able to fill in the gaps that traditional media/journalists leave. Because many of this is first hand experience, these blogs are a lot more widespread.

Hate Speech

Issue 18: Are People Better Informed in the Information Society?

Technology plays a large role in today's society. There are many forms of technology that have made it into our everyday lives and we probably don't even recognize how significant they have become. For example, the use of cell phones. With new smart phones, such as the iPhone, it's so simple to obtain information and communicate with others. In the text, we have Linda Jackson and Mark Bauerlein have different arguments concerning this issue. Linda Jackson, who argues YES, conducted a survey and found that youth who use the internet often, had higher scores when it came to standardized testing and had higher GPA's. Mark Bauerlein, who argues NO, considers this generation, "the dumbest generation". He believes that "the information age has failed to produce a well-informed, thoughtful public. Instead we have a nation of know-nothings who don't read, follow politics, or vote-and who can't compete internationally." (Pg. 364).

In class, we discussed how as technology advances, we become more dependent on it. We also discussed how because of this dependency, there are people who lack the ability to acquire knowledge. For example, the calculator. It's a form of technology that we use for math, but can we say that we are able to do math, without it? I believe that both arguments in the book have good points. Again, I feel that they don't really do a good job at answering the question. Although, I agree with each point to a certain extent. Although we do develop somewhat of a dependency on technology, it doesn't mean we don't acquire the necessary knowledge. Our generation is still helping advance technology.

Issue 3: Do Media Represent Realistic Images of Arab?

I feel that, since the incident of 9/11, a lot of people stereotype Arabs to be Muslim. This creates an unfair, general fear among non-Arabs. In the text, we have Gal Beckerman and Jack Shaheen who have different arguments when it comes to this issue. Journalist Gal Beckerman, who argues YES, talks about Arab bloggers from the Middle East who challenge these stereotypes. Because the blogs can be accessed worldwide, people can see that not all Arab and Middle Eastern culture are the same and see them for who they are as an individual. I feel that Beckerman makes a good point, but does not necessarily answer the given question. Jack Shaheen, who argues NO, discusses how events such as 9/11, as well as Hollywood's images of Arabs, have influenced politicians and citizens opinions in a more negative way. Within this issue, there is also misperceptions about "the other" in the media. The stereotypes on Arabs, is just an example. In my opinion, I feel that the media does not reprent realistic images of Arab. Personally, I have been affected by such events and the media. I know it's wrong to think such things, but once such stereotypes are placed in mind, it's hard to ignore them completely.

"City Weighs Medical Pot Ban" (The Daily Journal)

Redwood City has placed a suspension of activity on medical marijuana businesses, until decided otherwise by the Planning Commission. City staff has found it "costly and time consuming" to have enforcement on the businesses. The temporary moratorium that has been placed could, in place of a ban, ask for just limited number of facilities to be allowed. I feel that the issue of marijuana, whether it be used for medical purposes or not, (as obvious as it sounds) will always remain a controversy. No matter what the city decides to do, there will always be people who will fight for the opposite, especially with the circumstances of our economy. In my opinion, it would be unfair to have the city ban medical marijuana indefinitely. Although there is the issue of crimes escalating, there are still people who need it for medical purposes.

Abstract/Articles on the Information Society

Queensland University of Technology

OECD

EBSCO

Issue 4: Do Media Cause Individuals to Develop Negative Body Images?

I feel that media does in fact afftect society's description on the "ideal body type". For many women, it's ideal to be fit, with a small waist, long hair, and large female parts, if you will. For many men, it's ideal to be muscular and a "ladies man". There is also the notion of power because power is the key to success. In the text, we have Shari L. Dworkin and Faye Linda Wachs, that argue YES. We also have Michael P. Levine and Sarah K. Murnen who argue NO. Dworkin and Wachs argue that a healthy body is attainable if he/she buy the proper products and pamper themselves. Also, there is the issue of being "fat" and how it's something to fear. Levine and Murnen focus more on how girls who have developed negative body issues are influenced by social, cultural and behavorial issues. Yet, I question whether the points to this argument were done in an ethically correct manner. On page 84 of the text, it states: "Two recent experiments by Bardone-Cone and Cass examined the effects of a web site that they constructed to feature the protypical content of proana sites." The fact that the websites were constructed could call for errors in their results.

I feel that the arguments in the text didn't do a great job at answering the given question. Also, there are so many different aspects to the issue. In my opinion, media does have the ability to cause individuals to develop a negative body image. Although, the affect of media can only go so far. It's up to the individual to determine whether or not the media has a say in how he/she looks.

Issue 9: Does Fake News Mislead the Public?

In the text, Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Mass Media and Society, we have scholars such as Julia R. Fox and Barry A. Hollander, who have formed their opinions on this issue. Julia R. Fox, has come up with the argument that the hype and humor found in fake news, make it difficult to recieve news that is substantive or factual. This also ties into the issue of young voters using fake news as a source for political coverage. Fox's argument refers mainly to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. On page 177 in the text, it reads, "McKain goes so far as to consider whether those who only get their news from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart will "get" the jokes without benefit of learning factual information first from traditional news source." Then, we have Barry A. Hollander who argues that not all knowledge is the same. Also, entertainment-based programs contribute understanding to the issue at hand, which is common for younger viewers. Data from a national survey was used to see whether fake news did it's job of informing the viewers. This was also done, while focusing on recall and recognition, finding that the programs are more associated with recognition of information.

In my opinion, fake news does not necessarily mean it's "fake". Although hype and humor are a great part of it, it is possible to obtain factual and substantive information. By watching shows such as The Colbert Report and The Daily Show, it was easier to retain information. I'll admit that the amount of substantive information did not meet the amount of substantive information in traditional news. Mojority of the content is made up of hype and humor, but that's what attracts viewers, especially younger ones, such as myself.

Marijuana Survey Video

Hi! Just a little "hello".