2 article summary

#9 USA today's Facebook - inspired use of emojis gets thumbs down
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/12/us-todays-facebook-emojis-twitter

This article talks about how emojis are a common feature of online messaging on smartphones and computers and is extremely popular with the public. It also says how 'USA today's' have started using them with each article they produce e.g an article about Russian bombing of Syria was illustrated with an angry red face, while a story about the stabbing of a US citizen - who had recently helped stop a terrorist attack in France - carried a sad face with a tear emerging from one eye.  It was noted that the more digital people are, the more the seemed to like them.

• The stunt received a mixed reaction on twitter, with some pointing out that it jarred with the serious nature of the stories being covered and others questioning whether emojis had a place in print

In my opinion, i think that having emojis in print work is actually a good idea as it adds to the depth and emotions of the article. Also, as it is very common on phones and the public nowadays to show emotion, the public would  more likely read the article as they want to know the story behind that emoji.

#10 Tech companies urged to protect young from dangers of excessive screen time
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/10/tech-companies-young-dangers-excessive-screen-time

The article talks about how children have become way to addicted to gadgets and smartphones and how it is affecting them severely and has an affect on their well-being. It says they need to protect these children form becoming psychologically damaged before its to late.

• "New technologies, smartphones, tablets and social networking sites have brough great benefits to millions of people, including children"

• Lloyd said the government needed to “empower young people through education in the classroom to understand how usage of social networking sites and screen-based media can influence their wellbeing, for example, by making them feel inadequate next to the online lives presented by peers”.

• The SSC also floated ideas that could help children when using electronic media. These include encouraging them to keep social media diaries to help them “balance” their online and offline lives and for social networking sites to install “virtual” usage meters as default settings for all users who are under 18, so that they are made aware of how long they are spending online.

In my opinion, i think that children should be kept away from all these new gadgets and phones as its destroying them psychically and mentally. When i was younger, i did not have any of this, all i had was toys and dolls for me to play with - i had a childhood. These children don't. They have become too addicted to these gadgets, its come to a point where children cry just to play on their parents phones rather than play with toys.

NDM news: Citizen journalism

Read the article from Media Magazine: The Rise and Rise of UGC (Dec 2009). Use our Media Magazine archive, click on MM30 and go to page 55.
Examples

1. Caught Rodney King, an African-American, after a high speed chase, the officers surrounded him, tasered him and beat him with clubs. The event was filmed by an onlooker from his apartment window. The home-video footage made prime-time news and became an international media sensation, and a focus for complaints about police racism towards African-Americans.
2. Asian Tsunami on December 26th 2004 was another turning point for UGC. Much of the early footage of events was provided from citizen journalists, or ‘accidental journalists,’ providing on-the-spot witness accounts of events as they unfolded. Tourists who would otherwise have been happily filming holiday moments were suddenly recording one of the worst natural disasters in recent times.
3. The London bombings on July 5th 2005, provided another hard-hitting and emotive. An audience used to relatively unmediated reality through the prevalence of reality TV can now see similarly unmediated footage on the news.
4. Video footage that 23-year-old Seung-Hui Cho,an undergraduate at Virginia Tech, mailed into NBC News. Between his first attack, when he shot two people, he sent the package from a local post office, before going on to kill a further 30 people. 
5. Mumbai bombings
6. Hudson river plane crash

Theory (audience reception etc.) 

Benefits to institutions 

• Citizen journalism benefits institutions as it makes their company more known; they're gaining more views from the public.
• Also, huge companies such as Google have brought social networking sites such as YouTube to become more known and popular.
• Flickr is now owned by Yahoo, Microsoft invested in Facebook, and News Corporation, is owned by Murdoch, bought MySpace.

Benefits to audience 

• It has benefited audiences dramatically as they are able to see the true original story of what had actually happened, without anything being manipulated by the editors.

Wider issues and debates 

• However, audiences may misinterpret the footage in another way as the quality maybe be poor e.g too shaky and blurry. 
• Also, editors may not use the whole footage, they may cut some things out of it to make it seem less damaging
• Creates moral panics

SHEP

Social

• Creates moral panics
• Causes the public to take action e.g protests by the majority - which could lead to destruction and chaos
• Fear of unemployment by journalists

Historical

• The only way for news to get around was by listening to the radio or by word of mouth as advances technology e.g phones with cameras, were not invented then

Economical

• Moral panics, which turns into chaos, leads to billions of pounds to make everything back to the way it was
• However, as everyone is producing new content, journalist fear of losing their jobs as no one would turn to them, because it is better to look at things in a video rather than reading it

Political

• Causes chaos with politics if riots occur

1) What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?

The term citizen journalism, is where the public record footage themselves and publish it on social networking sites such as YouTube for everyone to watch globally e.g A man recorded police officers strangling his friend to death and posted it online for everyone to see

2) What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?
Rodney King, an African-American, after a high speed chase, the officers surrounded him, tasered him and beat him with clubs. The event was filmed by an onlooker from his apartment window. The home-video footage made prime-time news and became an international media sensation, and a focus for complaints about police racism towards African-Americans.

3) List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations.

4) What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?
Professional footage is shown after the incident has happened - its not live. However, it may have been edited to make the scenario seem not so damaging. Also footage is clear. Whereas, with first-hand footage, it is shown there and then; at the time the incident had occurred, it shows the audience everything that occurred, although the footage is unclear and blurry.

5) What is a gatekeeper?
Gatekeepers are people who are an attendant employed to control what goes through a gate e.g footage that can be published on YouTube.

6) How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?
The role of the gatekeepers have changed dramatically as they allow sensitive topics/footage to be publish on social networking sites. They are not as harsh as they used to be e.g pornography is accessible for everyone of all ages.

7) What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?
They fear that due to all the content produced by citizens, they will become unemployed as the public are more likely to watch what they have recorded, which is all legit, rather than read something which may have been twisted by journalists - not the full story. 

What impact is new/digital media having on the following:

• News stories - The public are less likely to read these stories as they'd prefer to watch the real thing
• The news agenda - More exciting and interesting stories are shown on new and digital media, which, could lead to a decline in news stories - they would need to produce better stories than others to still exist
• The role of professionals in news - their jobs could go into a decline as the public would watch footage that hasn't been manipulated with than footage that has.

Newspapers - The effect of online technology

1) Do you agree with James Murdoch that the BBC should not be allowed to provide free news online? Why?
In my opinion, i do not agree with Rupert Murdoch's statement. This is due to the fact that information produced in newspapers lays a huge role in generating critical autonomy to the public. I believe that free newspapers is something we are entitled to and should not pay to read them. Also, a small percentage of the population have a low salary - they wont be able to afford this as they spend their money on the necessities, meaning they wont know about what is happening in their city, county and the world.

2) Read this blog on the Times paywall three years on.

3) Was Rupert Murdoch right to put his news content (The Times, The Sun) behind a paywall?
No, i don't think it was right for Rupert Murdoch to put his news content behind a paywall. This is because as information should not be restricted to the public, it should be open.

4) Choose two comments from below the Times paywall article - one that argues in favour of the paywall and one that argues against. Copy a quote from each and explain which YOU agree with and why.

1) 'Maybe a locked-down paywall is the answer after all, to preserve a newspaper as an institution'


I agree with this comment as it will help newspapers institutions to gain money and help them keep their roles of what they are in society currently, however the effect on the audience is more detrimental as they would have to pay to read the newspaper and some may not be able to afford it. It may be considered as unethical. 

2) 'It is so ridiculous if these mainstream newspapers believe that they can force readership of fee-based news. One can the same news for free almost anywhere on the internet'

I do agree with this comment as i believe that the public are most likely to turn to the free articles rather than pay money to read something they can get somewhere else for free. 

5) Read this article from the Media Briefing on the continuing decline of the newspaper industry. 

6) Why do you think the Evening Standard has bucked the trend and increased circulation and profit in the last two years?

This is because, if the newspapers are free the public are more likely to buy it, increasing the institutions reading numbers. 

7) Is there any hope for the newspaper industry or will it eventually die out? Provide a detailed response to this question explaining and justifying your opinion.

In my opinion, i think that it would depend on the content produced. It has to be interesting and significant in order for the public to carry on buying newspapers. However, if the newspapers carry on with the way they are going such as producing unnecessary stories then it may go into a decline, as there may be no need to for it anymore due to new and digital media - readers can read it online for free rather than pay to read it. Also, the digital media, people are allowed to share their own views and values of what their opinions are about the article, whereas this cannot happen with newspapers. Online media is more effective for readers.

2 article summary

#7 Watch out instagram users- the mums, dads and racists are coming 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/25/instagram-users-minion-memes-baby-photos

The article talks about converting transition of apps from when they start and how they progress given their fast growth rate. However, looking at instagram, it's been  revealed that they have not hit the most users they have ever had, of 400 million active users. This gives an insight of the mass market being targeted and getting involved. Instagram is the place to be able to capture special moments and make people jealous' Therefore, this article covers change that took place on Facebook which is also predicted to eventually have on instagram as the parents kick in as well as the racists. The revolution of social media is also discusses as its stated that overtime the users may become so into it that it simply checking their social pages. 

• Instagram has passed 400 million users
• Snapchat has 100/200 million uses

In my opinion, i do believe that there will be a time where instagram will need to up there game as audiences will want more from them as they may become boring overtime. 

#8 Jon Steinberg  to leave Daily Mail's US digital operation

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/06/jon-steinberg-to-leave-daily-mail-us

Jon Steinberg, 30 years old, is said to leave the Daily Mail's US digital programme at the end of the year for an 'orderly transition' of management responsibilities. He also led on investments in content discovery firm Taboola etc, the media and e-commerce business targeting the craft community and teen magazine Tiger Beat.

• In the last year, the daily mail has struck deals including acquiring cultures news website Elite Daily, for about 50 million dollars

In my opionion,  i think that if Jon wants to leave the Daily Mail's US digital operation then let him be. I do believe that there will be a time where instagram will need to up there game as audiences will want more from them as they may become boring overtime.

Learner response

Feedback: Promising first essay, sophia
www: you've revised some very details well; decent structure.
LR: You need to question the congromeratics and consider how they're promoting dominant ideologies profiting most - consider Paretos law. Write a paragraph on this.
Grade: C- 27/48
LR -
Contromatics are promoting dominant ideologies as for example, these can be things such as apps, news online, music/movies online, games and many more. Due to these audiences have access have a greater variety of views and values. The internet is consulted mainly by the younger generation as they have more access to it via schools and mobile phones. Although, access to it for adults is increasing. For example, 18.3 million households in the UK has access in 2009 compared to 2 million in 2006, however has risen to 33% in 2013. The internet is used for a variety of things, such as looking up information, playing music and many more. Also, Paretos law says that.

2 article summary

#5 Muslim Gang violence

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/sep/20/mail-on-sunday-apologises-for-muslim-gangs-attack-immigration-van-story

This article is about a misunderstood statement against a group of Muslim boys in hoodies, that vandalised an immigration enforcement car. It was said that 'Muslim gang slashes tyres of immigration-raid can before officers were showered with eggs from high rise'. This caused great controversy as the audience believed that the articles was negatively targeting the Muslim community, instead of the individuals. 

• An article on July 26th said a gang of Muslim youths was responsible for damaging Home Office immigration enforcement vehicles in Shadwell, east London, in the week the prime minister appealed Muslims to help combat extremism.
• The mail on Sunday agrees to rewrite the story to remove the references to Muslims
• The coverage of Muslims in mainstream media continues to be very negative and there are too many sensationalist headlines that generalise about Muslims. 

In my opinion, i would argue that this is just practically racism as they have targeted all the Muslims rather than just the individuals who had vandalised the immigration officers car. They emphasising the fact that all Muslims are bad, which makes me so annoyed. 

#6 Virgin media focuses on female role models in TV add campaign
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/02/virgin-media-focuses-on-female-role-models-in-tv-ad-campaign

The article is about virgin media launching a multi-million pound TV campaign featuring female figures icluding famous people to mark the launch of its new ultrafast broadband services. The campaign starts during Englands Rugby world cup match againsts Australia on Saturday, which features a young girl and her mother using Virgin broadband to look at faous women from the past and present. They say 200mb service means customers can download a tow hour HD movie in just over three minutes and a music album in three seconds.

• The campaign unveils the new brand vivid which will be uses to market the companys new 100mb and 200mb ultra fast broadband options

In my opinion, i think that the campaign will be extremely successful to the female population as its promoting both female independence and dominance, which helps virgin themselves as they will be an increase in buyers. 

NDM News case study: Audience and Institution

1) Read this extract from the Ofcom 2014 report on the consumption of the news in the UK. What are the key statistics relating to the influence of new and digital media? 

News consumption in the UK

• 95% of adults in the UK use say they follow the use and 95% say they use the TV a as source of news.
• There is a growth in the number of those who use any internet apps for news, with over four in ten (41%) doing so this year, compared to a third (37%) last year.
• Over a quarter (28%) of those who consume in the UK named BBC, compared to over ove-third (34%) in 2013
• Since 2013, there has been an increase in the number of people starting a website/app as their most important news source

TV news consumption

• Figures show that adults watched an average of 115 hours of news and TV in 2013 and the same with the year before
• The majority was 64% on BBC One or BBC Two news channel.
• However, 16-24 year old's only consumed 27 hours of news on TV, compared to 196 hours for those ages 55+

Attitudes towards different types of news

• UK politics and current affairs and worldwide current affairs are see to have societal importance by half (49%) of UK adults, crime by 48% and weather by 45%.
• Younger and older age groups find different news topics personally interesting. Among 16-24s, specific news categories such as crime, sports, technology and science/environment fall into the top ten topics, while over 55s are more likely to nominate general world news.

Reasons to follow the news

• 3 in 5 adults (58%) in the UK say they follow the news to find out what is going on around the world
• Another reason is what is going on in the UK (56%), followed by what is going on in the local area (49%)
• Also, to know what is going on in respective nations (46%)
• Lastly as they say it is important to keep informed about certain issues (42%)

2) Come up with an example of an institution that has benefited from the changes new and and digital media has brought to the news industry. Explain how new technology has helped the institution and try to find statistics or financial figures that support your point.

In my opinion, i believe that the institution that has benefited from the changes in new and digital media is Google. This is due to the fact that more people now have greater access to the internet as they can use it at home on their computer, in schools, on their mobile phones etc. and it is much easier for audiences to reach a variety of information due to new technology. This means that Google has more viewers - becoming more known globally. For example, in 2003 only 46% of people had access to the internet, however this has risen dramatically to 83% in 2013.

3)Find an example of an institution that has suffered as a result of the changes new and digital media has brought to the news industry. In what way has it had a negative impact? Again, try and find actual statistics or financial figures to explain your point. 

Ealing Gazette is a newspaper that has suffered as a results of the changes new and digital media has brought to the news industry. This is due to that fact that readers have started reading news online from bigger institutions, causing the Ealing Gazette to go into a decline as less readers are reading the papers. this also means that people are stating to loose their jobs and wages are decreasing. 

4) Who has benefited most from the changes in new and digital media have had on the news industry - audiences or institutions? 

In my opinion, i believe that the audiences have benefited dramatically because of new and digital technology. This is due to the fact that, audiences now have greater access to the internet as well access to a wider range of information as they have a wealth of information available at all times via broadband, wi-fi and multi platform mobile devise such as the iPhone and the Blackberry. Both adults and younger people use the internet for a variety of things e.g teenagers use it to listen to music and adults use it to look up news around the world, for example 3 in 5 adults (58%) in the UK say they watch the news to find out what is going on around the world.

Furthermore, the term convergence means that all digital content can be accessed in one place for the cost of broadband or subscription via Sky or Virgin on the move via a device such as an iPod or notebook computer and as nowadays more and more people are having access to this new technology, means that they are at an advantage as they get to access information quicker, easier and cheaper. Also, news comes from newspapers online, RSS feeds, blogs and news organisation websites such as BBC News who also supply podcasts. Due new and digital technology, audiences are able to access this via there phones, laptops etc. However, the younger generation watch the news for different things to the older generation such as science. For example, Among 16-24s, specific news categories such as crime, sports, technology and science/environment fall into the top ten topics, while over 55s are more likely to nominate general world news.

The most common form of watching news is by TV. For example 95%  of adults say they use the TV a as source of news. There is a growth in the number of those who use any internet apps for news, with over four in ten (41%) doing so this year, compared to a third (37%) last year and over a quarter (28%) of those who consume in the UK named BBC, compared to over one-third (34%) in 2013. Also, since 2013, there has been an increase in the number of people starting a website/app as their most important news source.

Figures show that adults watched an average of 115 hours of news and TV in 2013 and the same with the year before. The majority was 64% on BBC One or BBC Two news channel. However, 16-24 year old's only consumed 27 hours of news on TV, compared to 196 hours for those ages 55 plus. Furthermore, missing one your programmes is not a major problem, as it is available on the BBC iplayer and the other mainstream channels have similar devices. In addition, if people want to show the world their videos to the film, they are able to make a You Tube account and upload it onto there.

Additionally, availability of interactive features are social networking sites such as Fcaebook, Twitter and internet blogs, Also Skype which allows you to make long distance calls, video calls and emails. This benefits the audience, as it allows them to interact with people out of the country and in their society. They can engage in what is happening all over the world e.g by looking at news on social networking sites etc. Also , new developments include the hybrid television where social networking sites, emails and the internet are accessible on your TV screen, so whatever you want to watch or do online, can be done on your TV.  Moreover, on demand means music, feature films and television and all the content of the internet are available on a laptop with wi-fi, again having a hige advantage on the audiences.

However, the institution that has benefited from the changes in new and digital media as well as audiences is Google. This is due to the fact that more people now have greater access to the internet e.g by using their phones etc. and it is much easier for audiences to reach a variety of information. This means that Google has more viewers - becoming more known globally.