Media & Society Online

No Longer Using This Site

2011-08-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry to confuse you, but I have decided to discontinue using this site. I've recently found that using the MyCourses blogging tool is more efficient for grading purposes. You should now use the blog associated with MyCourses. On the class homepage, there is a link that will take you to it. Please use that link instead.

Farewell

2011-04-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

There are no more blogs for the semester. Thanks for all the participation and commentary you've provided. I hope you've enjoyed the class. Don't forget that the April Movie Quiz must be completed by the end of April 21st (Thursday) and the Final Exam is available starting the 22nd and running through the 27th.

Should Teachers Use Facebook

2011-04-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we talked about prisoners who were using Facebook to communicate to the outside world. I asked the question if restricting prisoners' use of social media violated their first amendment rights.

So here's a different situation. In the past few weeks, a number of teachers have been fired or disciplined for commenting on their students' behavior online. As a result, many school boards are now coming up with official policies as to what teachers can and cannot say on social networking sites. Read the following article here and tell me what you think. Are you violating a teacher's first amendment right to free speech if you are now telling them what they can and cannot say online? Are there other professions where speech online should be limited? If you were a teacher and had a bad day in class (for example your students were behaving badly) should you be punished for pointing that out online?

How does your phone impact your life

2011-04-05T07:18:00.000-07:00

I'd like you to read the following story by clicking here. Then I'd like you to tell me what aspects of your phone you use the most: just for calls, for games, for music, for web browsing, pictures and video, etc.

This also brings up a bigger discussion that I was having with friends this weekend. How do you think cell phone technology has negatively impacted society today? For all the advantages and ease of communication it creates, how do you think it harms society?

Technology and Teens

2011-03-28T09:23:00.001-07:00

According to the latest poll from the Pew Organization, about 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States own a mobile phone, up from 45 percent in 2004. This begs the question, "When do we let Teens gain access to their own personal technology?" What do you think is an appropriate age for someone to get their own cell phone? When do you think a child should have their own computer with an internet connection in their room? When should a child have their own television? Also, how many teens out there are sending or receiving sexual material over their cell phone? Some recent polls indicate 1 out of 3. Why do you think this trend, called "sexting" is becoming so popular?

Facebook As Free Speech

2011-03-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

I'd like you to read the following article. Read it thoroughly so you can understand all the arguments. Now post your ideas on the following.
1. If a prisoner is allowed to send mail to the outside world (knowing it is monitored), should he/she be allowed to use a prison's computer to create a facebook page (if it is monitored). I'm not talking about using contraband cell phones. What if the prison allowed internet use for some prisoners?
2. Should state laws be put in place that would block outsiders (third party friends/family) from creating facebook pages for people in prison? The article states "Inmates in federal prison and a handful of other jurisdictions also have limited access to e-mail, and typically can only send it to people who have previously agreed to it." If that is the case, should laws ban criminals from having third parties set up the page and fill it with content emailed by the prisoner.
3. What is your general feeling on the article. It's easy to say that prisoners don't deserve access to social media when they are paying their time. That may be totally true. But can you think of ways in which a prisoner's right to free speech may be violated by these laws? Perhaps an even bigger question is whether you think prisoners should have the right to free speech at all?

Spring Break

2011-03-16T11:04:00.001-07:00

No post this week as it is Spring Break here on campus. Enjoy your week.

Stealing or Not

2011-03-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

The New York Times's ethicist, Randy Cohen, published a column last year in which he stated it was O.K. to illegally download a copy of a Stephen King book if you had already purchased a hard copy edition. Read his argument here. Why do you think the ethicist believes this? What are the implications for other media? You might want to read this article regarding iTunes consideration of making unlimited downloads of purchased music available to customers. Do you believe once you buy a media object online you should have unlimited rights to it in different versions? What are some of the problems that could be encountered with this belief. How could it actually harm the industry?

Look for new post tomorrow

2011-03-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

Hey gang,
Today in addition to all my other duties, I'm hosting a job candidate for a position we have here at school. That being said, I will probably not be able to post a new topic today. Check back tomorrow for the new posting.

Why Do We Watch?

2011-02-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

As I was looking around for info to blog about today, i ran across this interview with comedian Adam Carolla. Carolla's talking about Piers Morgan (who took over Larry King's interviewing show) and why people expected him to be good at his job. In the middle of Carolla's rant, he hinted at something i've always wondered about. Why do we care about people like The Kardashians, The Real Housewives, or any other reality TV people. If you talk to anybody on the street, they express their disgust and disdain towards these stars. Still, their ratings are big enough that they come back every season. Carolla suggests it is because we, as a society, are voyeurs and that we are so narcissistic that we enjoy watching other's own narcissism. Watch Carolla's comments by clicking here (note there is some harsh language). Do you agree with Carolla? Do we envy these people? Do we secretly wish to be as spotlighted as them? Why do we watch these reality shows?

Newsroom Evolution

2011-02-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

An article was recently released regarding suggestions that newsrooms should adopt to make them more updated and fresh. I'd like you to read the suggestions by clicking here. I'd like you to post your reactions to the items. Which suggestions do you agree with? Which suggestions do you think could have unintended consequences and what would those consequences be? Are all these suggestions helpful for newsrooms or could there be problems?

P.S. - Someone used the name "NaturallyDelish" to post last week. I'm not sure exactly how i'm supposed to determine the student's name to award them credit. I'm not qualified to determine who in class is the most "naturallydelish!"

Off The Record

2011-02-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

The following comes from Chuck Ross of TV Week:

"Last month, when it became known that Apple CEO Steve Jobs was going to be taking another leave of absence, Time Warner's Fortune magazine ran a story with information that heretofore had not been public: that Jobs had been treated for cancer in Switzerland in 2009.

Now, it's not a secret that Jobs has had cancer. But this particular information had not been made public by Jobs or anyone else. The article in Fortune said the author of the article had been told this information off-the-record by a source. The source had subsequently died, so the information was no longer off-the-record, the article said."

So here's my question. What do you think "off the record" means? Do you think there are any limitations to that? When should something move from being "off the record" to being "on the record?" If the "off the record" source died, does that necessarily mean the information is fair game?

P.S. someone posted last week with the name "eld_school." If this is a classmate who wants points for the blog, you'll have to let me know who you are. There is no way i can guess who "eld_school" refers to.

Positive Aspects of Video Games

2011-02-07T19:08:00.000-08:00

Recently, an article was published which found that girls who spent time playing video games with their fathers had better relationships with them. You can read it here.

Most news about video games seem to just state the negative aspects. I'd like you to consider both the negative and positive aspects. So i'd like at least a paragraph on each. 1) What are the negative future consequences of video game play? and 2) What are the positive future consequences of video game play?

Is There Space for Al Jazeera

2011-02-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

Whenever a government is threatened with being toppled, one of the first things the dying government does is shut down the press within the country and try to stop international press members from coming in. With the recent political unrest in Egypt, it became clear that access to the story was limited in the first few days. While American journalists were trying to gain access and travel to Egypt, the middle eastern news network Al Jazeera was already in the area.

Al Jazeera has an English-spoken channel. But this network is offered in only a handful of areas across the USA. One concern regarding Al Jazeera has traditionally been that it perhaps has a pro-Muslim bias, although Al Jazeera has constantly responded that it has no political or religious affiliations.

Do you think the recent events show that our national cable and satellite providers should show more interest in providing English-spoken foreign news networks? Or should we trust our own national news networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN) to report the news? Would you want to subscribe to Al Jazeera if it was offered in your cable or satellite package?

For a more detailed description of the issue, click here. Also, look for yourself. While you might not have access to Al Jazeera on television you can watch a live stream of it by clicking here.

Should It Air?

2011-01-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

I'd like you to read the following story. Tell me what you think. Should WDAM be allowed to air the video content? What is to be gained from showing the video? Are there valid privacy concerns regarding the juveniles in the facility? Which outweighs the other: bringing the story more to light or making sure that a juvenile's identity is not released to the public? How do you think the Mississippi State Supreme Court will rule?

Also, there is a person who is posting as Elle B. If you are a student in my class, could you please tell me your full name so I can give you full credit?

(Not Really) "The Tonight Show"

2011-01-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

Recent TV ratings revealed that Jay Leno's ratings have gone up since his return to "The Tonight Show" and Conan O'Brien's departure to TBS. However, when you take into consideration that some people record these programs to a digital video recorder (like TiVo), the number of people viewing Conan O'Brien is higher than those watching Leno. Read the story by clicking here.

I am wondering how many of you have a digital video recorder (like a TiVo) and use it regularly? How do you think a technology like a DVR (digital video recorder) will change the way people watch TV? The story seems to hint that "Late Night TV" may no longer truly be late night TV. Do you think the ritual of watching a show at the same time everyday will be broken by DVR's? Would you watch the local TV news more if you could record it and watch it later? Would a DVR cause you to watch more or less TV?

Welcome to Spring Semester

2011-01-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

Very ironic that I am welcoming you to Spring semester on what MSU has declared a snow day. Oh well. This is the first blog. Usually I set up a few questions that have some relevance to current media news and you respond with a couple of paragraphs. Here are some quick rules.

1)When you are asked to create a username so you can respond to the blog, please choose a username which allows me to quickly identify your real name. This helps me grade quicker and ensures you get proper credit. For example, if your name on my class list is John Smith, it really doesn't help me if your username is CrazyDawg. A better choice would be something like JSmith, or even JSmith21.
2)Two or three sentences does not a blog reply make. I expect you to give some thought to the topic and add at least two paragraphs for me. If not, then don't expect full points.
3)Part of the reason this blog exists is so that a dialogue can be created among the students. In other words, make sure you read everyone else's post. In some cases maybe you don't have a lot to say on a topic but then realize you have a lot to add in response to another classmate.

With that said, let's begin our first topic. The big story this weekend may have locally been about the snowstorm, but the national story was definitely the Tucson shooting. In addition to the tragic story, the discussion also drifted to whether or not political rhetoric has gotten too heated and out of control. One item mentioned was Sarah Palin's past use of crosshairs on the victim's district and campaign. Personally, I feel that the shooting was an act of a deranged paranoid schizophrenic. While true, that doesn't necessarily mean that the rhetoric of Palin, other Tea Party'ers, and, perhaps most importantly, media pundits (like Glenn Beck or Keith Olbermann) isn't dangerous and irresponsible. The other side of the coin is that in America expressing your political opinion is a freedom of speech issue. In other words, Beck, Palin, and Olbermann have the right to say what they think. Perhaps, they even feel it is their responsibility to say what they actually feel. If Beck feels like America really is on a precipice heading towards failure, shouldn't he be allowed to speak fervently about the matter.

What's your opinion? Has it gotten out of hand? Should media pundits and political figures face serious consequences when using inflammatory speech? What should those consequences be? Is it a violation of free speech?

Final Blog and Holiday Media

2010-11-15T13:03:00.001-08:00

This week is the last blog of the semester. I hope you've enjoyed this opportunity to share your opinions with your classmates on these various media topics. So here's the last post.

With the holidays approaching, i'd like you to share with the group any media related traditions you have. Does your family all get together to watch something on TV? Is there any particular show you love to watch every Christmas/Thanksgiving? Why is that show/s so important to you. I know i have some favorites dating back to when i was a kid but i wonder if there are any new shows that have come on recently that will one day be a favorite for my children?

Is MSNBC's Policy Correct?

2010-11-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Recently, Keith Olbermann, who has his own show on MSNBC, was suspended indefinitely without pay when it was revealed he contributed more than $7,000 to three different political candidates without MSNBC approval. MSNBC claimed this was an outright violation of its policy which states:
"Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest. Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the President of NBC News or his designee."

Although Olbermann is scheduled to return Tuesday, making it a very short suspension, many claim it was unwarranted and violated his civil rights to make campaign contributions to any candidate of his choosing. Olbermann argued that while he did contribute to these campaigns he never once solicited on air for anyone to give to the candidates. Many think MSNBC was holding itself to a higher standard than FOX News who not only has on-air talent who has contributed to campaigns but has itself, as an organization, contributed directly to republican activist groups.

One thing blurring the line is that many claim the talking heads on the night-time shows are commentators and pundits rather than actual journalists and shouldn't be held to higher journalistic standards. Here's a few articles on the subject. Read them and then give me your opinion.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/07/keith-olbermann-to-return_n_780141.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/maddow-keith-olbermann-su_n_779851.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/keith-olbermann-suspension_n_779727.html

Should Teens Be Able To Buy Violent Games

2010-11-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

A California law that restricts the sale of violent video games to those under 18 will be challenged in the Supreme Court soon. Read This Article.

What's your opinion. Do you believe in this ban or do you side with those who say this law violates people's rights. Should a 17-year old be banned from buying a violent game? What if the 17-year old bought the game with money he earned himself? Should these games be treated the same as movies or more like pornography?

The Future of the Media

2010-10-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

So what will happen to the media in the future. A recent poll found that most people think newspapers will be extinct by 2050. Amazon.com regularly sells more books through their kindle (electronic form) than hardcover books. We've seen chain stores like Sam Goody's go out of business due to most people downloading their music. What do you predict happens next. How will cell phones change? How will radio change? How will television change? What does the future look like to you.

Context/Content/Facts

2010-10-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

So I've avoided the debate about the mosque near ground zero because i felt like it was more of a political issue than a media issue. But recently, there have been some incidents which have spotlighted media figures' beliefs about Islam, terrorism, and the mosque.

First, i want you watch this video.

Then i'd like you to watch this one.

Now this one.

And finally, this one.

So what's your take on this. Were Bill O'Reilly's comments taken out of context? Were they factually correct? Was Kilmeade's comments out of context? Factually Correct? Or were all of these comments biased and uninformed? What's your take on this discussion and these comments?

Stranded on an Island

2010-10-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
There's an old conversation game called "stranded on an island." Basically, if you knew you were going to be stranded on an island, what would you take with you? So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

SPOOKY TIME!!!!

2010-10-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

Hello all,
It's that time of year again, my favorite time of year actually (well next to christmas).It's Halloween. I loved trick or treating as a kid and get to relive it all over again now with my own kids. And of course, cable tv is great now cause they show all the horror movies (even if they are edited).

That brings me to my question. What is your favorite Horror Movie. Tell me why it is your favorite. And why do you think we go see horror movies. Even if you don't like them, tell me why you think others go see them. And by the way, here's a good scare for you (not for those with a heart condition).

Is there a place for satire in Congress?

2010-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Recently, Stephen Colbert was asked to testify before Congress regarding undocumented immigrants working in America. Colbert participated in an event where Americans were asked to come work in a job that was typically done by illegal immigrants. Colbert worked in a field for a day. Since Colbert was one of only a few that participated, he was asked to talk about his experience.

But Colbert, being a comedian, turned the table. He chose to speak in character, as the pompous blowhard commentator he is on his show. He wrote his testimony the night before and handed it over to the committee. Many were upset that he was going to speak "in character." Both democrats and republicans stated it was inappropriate. Some however did not have a problem with it.

So here's my question. Even though Colbert's testimony was, on its face, part of a comedic act, is there value in what he did? Or was it a waste of time? His celebrity certainly brought out the cameras. Many congressional members said there were more cameras there than normal.

For clips of the event, click here.

What's Your Opinion

2010-09-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

So, TV Azteca reporter, Ines Sainz, has been in the headlines lately regarding harassment in the NY Jets locker room. I'd like you to read some of the following articles and watch some of the following videos and give me your opinion. One key point in the whole debate is whether Sainz should have expected the football players to make the rude comments they did given the way she dresses when attending practices. Read the following link describing the incident. It includes what Sainz calls a typical outfit she wears to practice.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/12/ines-sainz-azteca-jets_n_713843.html

Some have commented that she should expect such things when she dresses that way. Here are some comments made backing that opinion.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/16/brian-baldinger-ines-sainz_n_719745.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/17/jenn-sterger-ines-sainz_n_719960.html

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/09/rush-limbaugh-ines-sainz-bootylicious/1

Yet some argue that regardless of her dress, Sainz does not deserve to be treated without respect in the locker room. For an example, watch the following.

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201009190010

So what is your opinion on all this? Who was to blame for the incident? Should Sainz have to dress more modestly at practices? Or were the football players out of line?

New Survey Results

2010-09-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

The Pew Center recently released the results of their study on the people and the press. I'd like you to read the overview, which can be found here. I'd like you to post with two findings that you thought were surprising and what social implications could result from them.

Was Fox Wrong?

2010-09-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

So, even though I try not to talk about Fox News all the time, I pick on them often. There's a host of reasons but probably the biggest one is that they are a ratings giant. They, head and shoulders, beat other news channels in the ratings. Therefore, they should be seen as the "flagship" for broadcast journalism. They set the bar.

Recently you may have heard about Fox's parent company donating $1 million to the republican governor's association. If not, you can read a quick bit about it here. I read the story last week but decided not to use it for the blog.

Then, another story surfaced showing that the Democratic Governor's Association was going to sue Fox for illegal campaign contributions. Apparently, Fox interviewed an Ohio gubernatorial candidate and allowed him to state where campaign contributions could be sent. This often happens on air. The big difference was that Fox showed a graphic revealing the candidate's website while the donation pitch was being made. The DGA claims that showing the graphic while the candidate was asking for money was basically free publicity amounting to nothing less than an advertisement. There were some other arguments made by the DGA as to why the interview should be considered an "in kind contribution" to the candidate. Read the full report here.

So here's my question. Do you think Fox is acting illegally? Do you think Fox is crossing an ethical line here in promoting republican candidates over democrats either through this latest claim or through the $1 million donation?

P.S. - please remember to write your name at the bottom of your post so i can tell who is who. Also, i've discovered that a spam filter on blogger has "zapped" some of your comments. If you are posting, but not seeing it online, please let me know so i can give credit and address the issue. Thanks.

An Invasion of Privacy?

2010-08-31T09:23:00.000-07:00

Recently the LA Times published a list rating teachers on how well they prepared students for the California Standardized Test. The list was released online and immediately became hugely popular. Teachers, as represented by their union, complained that this ranking did not accurately reflect the quality of their work. The School district evaluates the teachers by using more than just that one measure. In other words, the teacher's effectiveness is not based solely on how well their students did on the tests. You can read about this story by clicking here. Many educators argue that the problem with schools today is that teachers are encouraged to teach children how to pass standardized tests while not necessarily focusing on a child's individual needs. Here's my question. Do you think it was an invasion of privacy for the Times to publish this list of individualized names? As a public employee, do the teachers' have an argument that their rankings should not be published? Are they justified in complaining that the story does not accurately reflect their effectiveness in the classroom? How would you feel if you were a government employee and details about your performance were released without your consent?

P.S. please sign your name at the end of the blog reply. I can't tell from some of your usernames who to give credit to. For example, in the last post i'm not sure who Bethann, David, Hunter, Emdaco, or Nick is. We have a couple of David's and a couple of Nick's. Please specify who you are under your reply.

Welcome to the Semester

2010-08-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to the new semester. This week we start blogging assignments. Each week i'll post a topic and in two paragraphs i'd like you to respond. Every week you respond, you get 4pts. Over time those points will build. So here's the first blog

Dr. Laura, a popular talk radio host, announced recently that after several years she has decided to not renew her radio contract, effectively quitting radio. This comes on the heels of an incident where many accused her of being racist in regards to an incident where she used the "n" word in response to a caller's question.

This is not the first time her comments have gotten her in trouble. In the past, she has made remarks that infuriated homosexuals. That particular incident probably cost her a television show as well as losing several sponsors for her.

Dr. Laura claimed she is quitting radio to regain her first amendment rights. Read this article for her comments. The article also has links to her original radio comments as well as her apology and further commentary. What do you think about both her initial comments that got her into trouble and her reasoning for why she is leaving radio. Was she being racist, was the caller oversensitive, was she sincere in her apology?

That's All, Folks

2010-07-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

So that's it. No more blogs. Last week was the last. The last assignment is the final exam. It's already available for you to take. It must be done by 11:55PM on July 30th. No peeking either. Once you begin the exam, the timer starts ticking and you must finish within a certain amount of time. My suggestion would be to print out your slides and organize them well before beginning the exam. Good Luck and thanks for all your input.

Where does it go from here?

2010-07-19T21:51:00.000-07:00

So what will happen to the media in the future. A recent poll found that most people think newspapers will be extinct by 2050. Also, this month amazon.com sold more books through their kindle (electronic form) than hardcover books. We've seen chain stores like Sam Goody's go out of business due to most people downloading their music. What do you predict happens next. How will cell phones change? How will radio change? How will television change? What does the future look like to you.

By the way, several of you pointed out that there was a test question on the midterm that referenced a video that was no longer available for download. I've decided to make sure everyone gets a bonus two points added on to their grade.

Was The Decision a Big Deal

2010-07-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

Arguably, the big media event last week was the Lebron James announcement of what NBA team he would be following. It all culminated in "The Decision" a program highlighting James and his decision to join The Miami Heat (which many had speculated he would join). ESPN aired The Decision. But apparently The Decision was a somewhat pre-packaged and contrived program originally conceived by Jim Gray. It has been reported that Gray, as interviewer, and Lebron's corporate endorsers, as sponsors of the program, were part of a package deal. In other words, if ESPN wanted exclusive rights to air his announcement, they had to accept his interviewer and sponsors. Many sports critics have commented they were disgusted by the display of corporate driven propaganda which took place on a supposed "sporting news" channel. One such response can be read by clicking here.

Read the article linked above and let me know what you think. Does The Decision make a mockery out of sports? Do you think James will suffer any backlash for it? Does ESPN as an organization employing sports journalists have a responsibility to cover the event impartially or is ESPN just an entertainment channel which we should expect no more from than MTV or VH1?

The Press and the Military

2010-07-05T11:44:00.001-07:00

One of the biggest stories related to journalism lately has been General McChrystal's relief from duty and subsequent retirement after a Rolling Stone article quoted him on issues regarding his relationship to President Obama and his administration. Some argued that the General's comments were concerned "off the record." Defense Secretary Gates has revised policy that senior military officials must request approval before giving interviews but that he still wants a good relationship with the press.

Do you think the Rolling Stone reporter should have published McChrystal's comments? Apart from classified information, should the press be willing to publish any information they feel relevant. Some opposing reporters have argued that in order to build rapport and gain access, sometimes you have to hold off on reporting information that you think the public would like to know. What do you think about people telling things to journalists but then saying "this is off the record"?

Stranded on an Island

2010-06-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all,
I'm actually at the beach this weekend on vacation and am writing this at the island's local library. Isn't technology neat. However, we had a bad storm here last night and the island went pitch black. Ahh, stranded on an island (kind of). That brings up an old question. The old "what would you take with you if stranded on an island?"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

Keep your head down

2010-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

So, i was looking for a topic this week and came across this article regarding PBS's underwriters: the companies or organizations that in part pay for a particular PBS program. In particular, PBS's NewsHour, which brings nightly news, has had underwriters in the oil industry, the banking industry, and in the agricultural industry. The tie-in for me is that the article is from PBS's ombudsman, basically someone PBS hires to make sure they are living up to ethical standards in journalism. I have a very good friend who works for the ombudsman. In fact, i'm going to forward this post to her and see if she has any comments. But don't be intimidated or feel like i'm stacking the deck. Remember, their job is basically to be a watchdog (or watchdawg if you're an MSU or UGA fan).

Click here for the article.

So here's the question. Do you think these advertisers could have a serious effect on Newshour, either directly or indirectly. The producers seem to advocate that no conflict of interest exists. What's your thoughts? Do you trust them? Should you trust them? And we're really not just talking about PBS here but all newsorgs. Have you ever thought about how advertisers could impact your local and national news?

Technology and Teens

2010-06-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Semester

2010-06-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to summer semester. Every monday (sometimes tuesday when i'm busy) i'll post a new topic for you to respond to. Your job is to respond to my questions with at least a 2 paragraph contribution. You will have roughly a week to do so. You have to respond before i post the next week's blog or you don't get any points. This website tracks the day and time you respond so there is no going back and posting late. Every blog that you respond to will earn you points and those points will build up over the course of the semester.

You'll have to register with the site in order to post. When creating a username please choose something that i can easily associate with your name. That helps me in awarding points. For example, if you choose "soldier3" then i have no idea who to give your points to. So let's begin with the first topic.

Everyone's concerned about the oil spill in the Gulf. But our own governor has been criticized by some as being too "unconcerned" with it. Gov. Barbour claims that the media has made too much about the situation. View his latest appearance on TV by clicking here. Here are my questions.

1. Do you believe the media is over-reporting on the issue.
2. Do you believe the media's coverage is harmful and irresponsible to our state's tourism industry?
3. Do you believe Gov. Barbour is presenting himself in the best interest of our state? If not, what should he be saying to the media?
4. How would you characterize BP's use of the media during the recent spill?

Finishing the Semester

2010-04-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

There's only two points available to finish the blog so i didn't really prepare a question. This one is easy. Just respond back to me with anything to pick up your two points. However i would like to remind you of a few things.

1. The final is available starting on April 22nd. The deadline passes at 11:59PM on April 27th. I will not accept any late grades for ANY REASON.
2. The April mini-monthly is still due by the end of the month.
3. Please consider filling out a course evaluation when AOCE prompts you to do so. Historically speaking, the response rate for online courses is very low. Many online students just forget to fill them out. They are extremely helpful to me. I value all comments, both positive and negative. I would appreciate any response you could give to this.

That being said, i hope you've all enjoyed the course.

Big Story This Week (and it ain't Tiger)

2010-04-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

I don't want to preface the following too much. Read this website and watch the video it contains (note: it is war footage and people are killed). I simply want your comments on what you think about wikileaks presenting the information.

Stealing or Not?

2010-04-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

The New York Times's ethicist, Randy Cohen, recently published a column in which he stated it was O.K. to illegally download a copy of Stephen King's latest book if you had already purchased a hard copy edition. Why do you think the ethicist believes this? What are the implications for other media? Do you believe his argument to be valid and why?

Book Evolution

2010-03-30T08:39:00.001-07:00

Continuing with our discussion from last week, Apple is now taking orders for iPads. And it seems the device is in high demand. Many magazines and traditional print publishers are trying to evolve so that their products are desirable on the iPad. Just like ipods may have changed the way we purchase and play music, the iPad may change the way we purchase and interact with books (if you could still call them that). Read the following and watch the videos contained on the page. Do you think most magazines are headed in the direction the article suggests? Are there reasons why you would want a traditional print copy of a magazine rather than an interactive one? What about books? If books become highly interactive (with audio and video) do they lose some quality that readers want? When do they cease to be "books"? What about textbooks? How might the iPad change the way educators write textbooks?

Is Cable TV Doomed

2010-03-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

As access to high speed internet increases, we're seeing several markets shrink and go away. For example, Sam Goody (the record store) recently closed here in Starkville. Blockbuster is rumored to be going bankrupt. No doubt, technologies like the Kindle and the iPad will change how people buy and read books. I'd like you to read the following article. The argument is that cable TV could also take a large hit and internet access expands and people start watching more video content online. How about yourself? Would you be willing to give up Cable TV right now and switch to only internet viewing? NBC already has many of its programs online. Hulu offers a variety of shows. Do you think cable prices and rates will have to change in order to grab back the viewers it may lose? What are your thoughts?

The News in Wonderland

2010-03-08T20:26:00.001-08:00

Last week, the LA Times posted an advertisement on its front page which made it look like the ad and the front page news were combined into one. See it here. Some people feel the ad posed no problem and was just another way for a cash-strapped business to generate more money. Some feel it was professionally unethical. What is your opinion? Do you think it's OK for newspapers to sell large ads on its front page? If you had to say it was professionally unethical, what argument would you make?

No Post This Week

2010-03-02T20:29:00.001-08:00

Take a Break from the Blog this week. A new post will be here next monday.

Tiger Woods Apology

2010-02-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

So Tiger Woods had a "press conference" to give an apology over recent events. I have the video of it embedded below if you have not seen it. Where do you stand on these events. Some say what happens in a marriage is of no interest or concern to others outside the marriage. Some say that such a high profile celebrity who is considered a role model to children should carry themselves with more dignity. Some believe that as a case study in public relations, Woods and his publicists have totally mismanaged the situation and that his silence was more damaging than quickly admitting the truth. Some even criticized that his apology below was an invitation only event with no outside press being allowed and no questions taken after the statement. What do you think about the whole ordeal?

Also what is your response to the video below which was a press conference given by one of Woods's mistresses?

The Winter Olympics

2010-02-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

The Winter Olympics are occurring now on NBC. NBC was projected to lose over $200 million on the event because ratings for it were expected to be low. Surprisingly, ratings have been higher than expected. The opening ceremony was viewed by far more people than viewed the last winter olympics opening ceremony. Why do you think so many more people are viewing the events now as opposed to the last time? Have you been watching any of the events and if so, what has stood out to you?

Stranded on an Island

2010-02-09T10:29:00.001-08:00

Hello all,
I once saw a news piece where a journalist asked the presidential candidates what book they would take with them to the White House. That's a neat question and it reminded me of that old question, "If you were stranded on an island........"

So here's my media related question to you this week. Write a short paragraph on each:

1. If you were stranded on an island, what magazine would you like to wash up onshore every week? And why?

2. If you were stranded on an island, what one movie would you like to take with you (in a portable dvd player, of course)? And why?

3. If you were stranded on an island, what one album/song would you like to be loaded on the mp3 player you took with you? And why?

Good Luck

Superbowl Advertising

2010-02-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Concerning the SuperBowl, people tend to pay just as much attention to the commercials as the actual game. Two potential commercials are causing quite a stir this year. One ad, promoting a gay dating site was rejected by CBS, citing that the network didn't feel it was appropriate for family viewing. Here's the ad that was rejected.

Given the racy "Go Daddy" commercials and other commercials in the past that have seemed racy, do you think CBS made the right decision in rejecting this ad?

Secondly, CBS is reversing its own past policy of rejecting advocacy commercials, ads paid for by organizations not selling a product but rather promoting a view on a particular issue. Focus on the Family created an anti-abortion commercial, starring Tim Tebow and his mother. My question is the following: if the Superbowl will now have advocacy ads, should all groups have an equal shot at getting airtime? For example, The United Church of Christ was turned down by CBS in 2004 when it wanted to air a Super Bowl ad that celebrated diversity and welcomed gay and lesbian Christians to the denomination. If the church tried to re-air the commercial now, given CBS's recent decision, should it be given air-time?

The Politics of Talk

2010-01-25T10:43:00.000-08:00

So this week a media experiment officially failed. Air America, a liberal-oriented national talk radio station, filed for bankruptcy and went off-air. This is especially interesting in a time when liberals control the White House as well as Congress. Some of the most profitable talk radio shows (Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity) are conservative oriented. So here's my question to you. Why do you think conservative based shows are more successful than liberal based shows? I don't necessarily want you to discuss why one political ideology is better than the other. I want you to frame your discussion in terms of media success. If another liberal based talk show were to emerge what do you think it would have to do to be as successful as a Limbaugh or O'Reilly show?

Also, please sign the blog with your full name if it is different than your user id. I can't tell who a person is sometimes when their user id doesn't match my role. For example, someone named Hartman posted last week but i'm not sure who to award the points to.

One Hell of a Week

2010-01-18T19:56:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of stories to talk about this week. A lot is going on in the news. Some of it seems humorous such as the Leno-Conan-NBC debacle. But the biggest story is definitely the insufferable Hell that the victims of Haiti have been put through. I hope you've seen some of the coverage. If not, I wish you would. It takes really big events to change how news is covered. The first war in Iraq gave us constant access to the front lines of a War in real time. Katrina gave us real time constant coverage of our own national disaster. I'm left wondering what Haiti will do to news coverage. One thing i've noticed is that the actual journalists are actively engaging with the disaster. Katie Couric held a child while his broken leg was being reset. Both of his parents were killed in the earthquake. She has vowed to do whatever's necessary to care for the boy. CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta worked at a field hospital while reporting and was later called to perform a brain surgery. Anderson Cooper rescued a boy who had been injured in a looting. The newest form of philanthropy evolved when record amounts of money were raised for Haiti simply by people texting the red cross to donate via their cell phone bill. I'm not even sure what to ask but i know that Haiti is THE STORY. Perhaps the biggest story we've had since Katrina. I think i'm a bit biased however. I am a former journalist, who now teaches media studies, so i have an interest in paying attention to this stuff. What about yourself? Have you been watching the coverage? What has interested you? What have you liked or disliked about the story? What are some of the high points and some of the low points? Now that we are a week into this story, do you think interest has lessened? Are journalists becoming too active in their stories? What will you remember?

Welcome to the Semester

2010-01-10T18:15:00.001-08:00

So here's the first blog of the new semester. Let's get started by finding out everyone's general view of the media. So answer the following questions for me.
1. What is your favorite news source? Newspaper, television, radio, online?
2. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of each of the aforementioned news sources?
3. What do you think about bias in the media? Do you notice it, what do you notice, and who do you believe is the most biased?

Here's to hoping we have a productive and informative semester.

The Blog is Closed

2009-11-23T15:40:00.001-08:00

The Blogging requirements are now complete for the class. Thanks to all those participating and especially to the 5 students who replied to all messages.

Holiday Media

2009-11-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

With the holidays approaching, i'd like you to share with the group any media related traditions you have. Does your family all get together to watch something on TV. Is there any particular show you love to watch every Christmas/Thanksgiving? Why is that show/s so important to you. I know i have some favorites dating back to when i was a kid but i wonder if there are any new shows that have come on recently that will one day be a favorite for my children?

Honestly

2009-11-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

....i've got nothing. and i'm really late on this one so everybody gets a freebie.

America's War

2009-11-02T08:15:00.001-08:00

I try to stay away from overtly political topics on this blog but i was forwarded this clip from a friend today and thought it would make a good blog topic. Bill Moyers is a noted journalist, spending most of his time working for PBS. He was press secretary for President Lyndon B. Johnson when Vietnam was becoming an issue and being so, had access to the President while he was considering going to War. Moyers, on his current show at PBS, made the following comment recently here. What do you feel about this? What if America reinstated a draft? Have we become too detached from the War? How has media coverage of the War impacted our view of it?

Sex and the Media

2009-10-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

Late last year, CNN published a piece on a RAND study linking teen pregnancy to watching sex on television. First, read the piece here. After reading i want you to address a few questions.
1. Do you think the results are correct? Does watching more sex on tv lead to teen pregnancy?
2. What other factors are also leading to teen pregnancy? In the piece one person says that too many things other than parenting are always blamed for teen pregnancy. Do you agree? Could good parenting counter the effects of watching too much sex on TV.
3. Could there be a third variable going on here? Teen pregnancy is on the rise. Sex on TV is on the rise. The number of hours of TV watched is on the rise? What's going on?
4. The term Media Literacy is used. This means teaching people how to critically interpret and understand the media with which they engage. (Basically you're taking a class in media literacy right now). Is there a place for this in the classroom? And how can we teach media literacy in the classroom when education budgets are being slashed and we are barely getting basic skills like reading and writing taught in the classroom?

Get that Kid Outta Here

2009-10-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

I was reading this article on CNN about the new movie "Where the Wild Things Are" based on the popular children's book. Of particular interest to me was the quote of the editor of the parenting site dadcentric.com who basically said taking a child younger than 5 to a movie is pushing it. One parent was upset that their 20-month old wasn't interested in the movie.

Here's my question. Have you ever taken a child younger than 5 to a movie theater? How about younger than 3? Should we expect children at this age to enjoy the theater experience? Also, a couple of months ago, i witnessed a couple bringing a young child (i'm guessing around 5 or 6) to the horror movie, Halloween 2. Of course, the movie frightened the child so bad that she cried throughout the film and hid her sobbing face in one of her parent's chest. Here's another question. In a situation like this, do you think the movie theater (and i guess by that, i mean the usher) should have told the couple to please remove the frightened child. By the way, the couple talked out loud during the whole movie to the point where the person behind them asked them to please be quiet. What's your thoughts on all this mess?

SPOOKY TIME!!!!

2009-10-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

No Blog This Week.

2009-10-05T07:16:00.000-07:00

Because the midterm is due, there is no blog for this week. However, someone posted last week that did not sign their name. I'm not sure who msright2474 is. If that person wants the blog points, they need to inform me of their real name.

The future of print

2009-09-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being late posting this but i became ill on sunday and have been in bed for the past three days. I'm just able to get to a computer now. Anyways, here goes.

There's a lot of debate right now concerning the future of print newspapers. The concern of how these papers will survive in the digital age has been present since the internet boom of the mid 90's. But now the concern has been revitalized with a proposed government bailout to help print newspapers.

I want you to read this article and also the comments below it. What's your opinion on the matter? Are we ready yet to let traditional newspapers die? Or will their death contribute to a degradation of journalistic standards?

If I Have to Come Back There and Separate You Two!!!!

2009-09-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

Fox News has a history of trashtalking to the mainstream media, despite the fact that it is perhaps now the most mainstream of the media companies out there. Its ratings consistently beat those of ABC, NBC, CBS, or CNN. But now it seems that CNN is ready to do some talking of its own. A recent event has heated the animosity between the two channels. At some of the recent Teabag protests in Washington, it was revealed that FOX producers were apparently encouraging the crowds to cheer loudly when reporters were in front of the crowds. Many see this act as promotion of an event as opposed to coverage of an event. Video footage of the producers rallying the crowd can be seen below:

Rick Sanchez of CNN commented lately on an advertisement that FOX bought claiming that the mainstream media did not cover the protests. Sanchez spent significant time bashing FOX for such a claim. His response is below:

Here's my question? Are we as a society headed towards a "biased" media situation, one in which each channel must take sides and viewers must accept that the organization is biased? Are we capable and ready as a society to critically evaluate our news coverage or do we accept the "talking heads" perspective as fact? Do you prefer one channel over another because their "news" agrees with your perspective/politics?

Stranded on an Island

2009-09-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

How to Cover War

2009-09-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

I want your opinion on the following matter. An Associated Press photographer posted photos she had taken while covering the war overseas. One photo showed a marine who had been killed in action. The family asked that the photo not be distributed but the photographer and the AP felt it was their duty to show the true cost of war.

The story can be found by clicking here. The Commercial Appeal of Memphis was one paper that chose to display the photo. Does the press have a responsibility and duty to show these types of photos. During the Bush Administration, photographers were banned from taking photos on the incoming coffins of soldiers being flown back to the states. Many complained that Bush was trying to hide the negative side of War with his ban. What do you think?

Again, please sign your posts at the end with your name. Many of you share first names and i can't tell who some people are (for example, Kamryn'sMom).

An Example of Media Concentration

2009-08-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

The big news to me today is that Disney is purchasing Marvel Entertainment, the comics company that owns Spider-Man, X-Men, The Hulk, Fantastic Four, etc. Being that we've discussed media concentration and consolidation, what are some things you expect to happen to Marvel due to the buyout? What new opportunities or threats do you believe Marvel faces.

This also brings up another question. In the last decade we have seen a resurgence in superheroes. Every year there are a few big superhero movies released. "Heroes" is a top rated show on NBC. What is the appeal of the superhero genre and why do you think it has recently gained so much interest?

Also, please sign the end of your posts with your name. We have several in class that share first names.

Social Media

2009-08-24T18:53:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new semester! One of the things that i noticed last semester was how much time i was spending with Facebook. If you don't know about Facebook, then you need to look it up. Google it. Using this social connector, i have been able to re-establish contact with friends from long ago. I recently had dinner with an old college buddy that i found by using facebook.

So here's my question to you. How has social media like facebook, myspace, youtube, changed your life? Do you use any of these programs? Some people even have their cellphone connected to facebook. I'm amazed at how much information people will share on these sites. People constantly post pictures of themselves in compromising situations. I even know some employers who check candidates' facebook pages to see what kind of person they are in private. Do you think the Internet, with the help of these programs, is helping us reveal too much about ourself. Is modesty fading because of new media? Or does the possibility of re-connecting with old friends and establishing relationships with similar likes and dislikes outweigh the negative implications of this media. Remember, two paragraphs. Again, welcome to class.

To Cap It Off

2009-07-27T14:15:00.001-07:00

Well, we are at the end of our semester. But perhaps there's something you wanted to say about the media that we haven't covered. Here's your opportunity to speak. I'd like you to discuss your top 3 issues you have with the media. These can be things you think the media does poorly or does complimentary. It's your 3 issues to vent. Perhaps there are issues we didn't talk about. Remember, you're creating the post here so any links you can give to back up your argument would be appreciated.

Free Speech and Porn

2009-07-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Since some recent lectures have been about sex and media effects i thought i'd share this story with you. The University of Maryland attempted to show a pornographic movie recently. After a a state legislator threatened to withhold funding from the University should they air the film, the school's administrators canceled the event. Student groups however protested and showed the film on their own. No university funds were used to purchase the movie or sponsor the event. This became a free speech issue for the students and some of the professors, feeling that if the showing could educate people about porn's impact on society why shouldn't the university be involved. I remember a porn movie being shown at the University of Georgia movie theater when i was an undergrad student. The event was huge and most of the audience just laughed their way through the film. I've included a link to the news story here. Be sure to watch the video as well as read the article. What are your thoughts?

The landscape is changing

2009-07-13T12:05:00.001-07:00

Some big news is starting to boil up regarding the media and changes to how we engage with it. For starters, early reports are suggesting that legal downloading and sharing of music is beginning to take root and impact illegal filesharing and piracy. Second, magazine ad revenues are down significantly, threatening the livelihood of many popular magazines. Third, broadcast networks (like NBC, CBS, ABC) are taking a beating from cable channels this summer. Finally, the New York Times is considering charging for access to its website.

So, where do you think we are heading? How often do you use legal music downloading sites/applications like iTunes? Do you think the New York Times' strategy of charging for content a valid (and profitable) method of distribution for the newspaper industry? And why are the broadcast stations taking a beating from cable?

No Blog This Week

2009-07-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

There is no blog this week as it is midterm week. Back next monday (the 13th).

Overexposed?

2009-06-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

How many of you knew that ABC had an hour long special on the health care debate featuring a town hall meeting with President Obama? Apparently no one else noticed either. The ratings were abysmal. President Obama's town hall scored less viewers than a CSI:NY rerun and "i survived a Japanese game show". This brings me to a question that many media critics have been asking lately. Is Obama overexposing himself? Can a sitting U.S. President be too visible in the media? Why do you think the ratings are so bad? Was no one interested in the topic of health care reform? Was everyone interested in other summer activities? Or did people skim through the channels, see Obama, and think to themselves, "oh, it's him again?"

Twitter wins big

2009-06-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry about putting this up late but the long trip home from our vacation just zapped me yesterday. During my trip, of course, the big news was the protest in Iran. The media landscape changed dramatically because of this event. As professional journalists were banned from reporting the events, everyday citizens began using twitter, facebook, and youtube to post news and video/photos of the events on the ground. CNN and the other news stations were forced to use viewer created content for their stories. This brings us to some important questions.
1. What will news channels and newspapers look like 15 years from now?
2. What role should professional journalists play in this new media world when viewers create the content?

two paragraphs on this please. also, please add your real name when posting. sometimes it is hard for me to figure out who you are from the user name.

On Vacation

2009-06-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

So i'm writing this in a starbucks while i'm on vacation at the beach in florida. I don't have much time before they close so let me post some quick questions here. Do your media habits change during the summer and how? Do you go to the movies more often? Read more books? And what about any summer trips you take or any long trips away from home for that matter. When you go on a trip do you feel more or less engaged with the media? Do you welcome the chance to "unplug" from television, the internet, your cellphone, or do you feel withdrawn and less connected to the world? Two paragraphs on these if you can. and don't forget you can bounce questions off each other. the point of this blog is to foster conversation not just between you and i but between each other.

Social Media

2009-06-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

Miss USA and Gay Marriage

2009-04-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we started the semester by talking about celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton and we'll end on it. I really didn't think this was a big deal, but Miss California's response to a question regarding Gay Marriage is getting some press attention. In the competition for Miss USA, celebrity judge Perez Hilton asked Miss California about her view on gay marriage. Hilton later chided Miss California for her response. I'm not so concerned about her answer (although i thought it sounded like she was fumbling a bit), but i am more interested in some of Hilton's comments. Watch the following video. What do you think about Hilton's stance?

Well. That was Awkward....

2009-04-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure if you can comment two paragraphs on this. But what the hell do you think was going on here?

Pirate Porn and the Public University

2009-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

I don't even know how to start this week's blog but i'll give it a shot. The University of Maryland attempted to show a pornographic movie recently. After a a state legislator threatened to withhold funding from the University should they air the film, the school's administrators canceled the event. Student groups however protested and showed the film on their own. No university funds were used to purchase the movie or sponsor the event. This became a free speech issue for the students and some of the professors, feeling that if the showing could educate people about porn's impact on society why shouldn't the university be involved. I remember a porn movie being shown at the University of Georgia movie theater when i was an undergrad student. The event was huge and most of the audience just laughed their way through the film. I've included a link to the news story here. Be sure to watch the video as well as read the article. What are your thoughts?

Violent Video Games and Media Coverage

2009-03-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

So last week i brought up the idea of blaming school shootings on video games. Let's continue with that theme. My main area of research is on the psychology of playing video games, namely how video games make people feel and think. I will leave my personal feelings and findings out of this post because i don't want to persuade the group. CNN posted this article last semester. One interesting thing to look for when the media covers school or teenage shootings is that they will also put a quick one sentence mention that the shooter owned violent video games.

So before you post your comments on the topics, let's investigate the recent school shooting in Germany. Do a google search for "Tim Kretschmer, school shooting, video games" and see what you get. After reading some of those then post your comments. So what do you think about violent video games. Are they becoming too prevalent in society? Do they contribute to violence? Can we blame them for school shootings (as the media has done several times, especially at Columbine)? If they are a negative force for children, how do we combat that? Your thoughts please.

Where are our Pundits Leading Us

2009-03-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

A lot of you may have seen Jon Stewart's (of the Daily Show) interview with CNBC star Jim Cramer in which Stewart basically accused Cramer and other CNBC hosts of bad journalism. You can see it here. One of Stewart's best points is that The Daily Show is a comedy show on Comedy Central whereas some of these other pundits are on News Shows. Does the fact that some pundits (like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Keith Olbermann, and Rachel Maddow) are on news Channels, like Fox and MSNBC, mean that they should be held to a higher standard of journalism? How many of us believe that these people are good journalists? And is there danger in the almost cult-like devotion some fans show towards them?

For example, the man who recently shot several people in a Tennessee church, apparently wrote a letter beforehand claiming that he was shooting liberals to better the country. One of the items he mentioned in the letter was a book written by Bernard Goldberg who is a frequent guest of the O'Reilly Factor. Please follow this link to read the story and watch clips. What do you think of these shows? Are you a fan?

Some will argue that O'Reilly and Goldberg can't be blamed for the church shooting. I tend to agree. It is clearly an act of an insane person. But then again, don't we blame video games for school shootings? If we blame that medium for the actions of crazed killers, shouldn't we blame the actions of the church shooter on the media he consumed?

Blog Topic Coming

2009-03-24T07:51:00.001-07:00

The blog topic will be posted by the end of the day. check back later.

Spring Break

2009-03-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

No posting this week as it is Spring Break on campus.

Pack Your Bag

2009-03-09T18:30:00.001-07:00

No Post This Week

2009-03-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Originally i had wanted to skip the blog during midterm week, but i thought the editorial cartoon was such a good topic that i posted it anyway. turns out that it was a good topic and got a lot of you to respond. so this week we'll take a break. come back next monday for a new topic.

The Washington Post Cartoon

2009-02-23T19:15:00.001-08:00

Recently, the Washington Post editorial section posted the following picture.

The Post Editorial staff claimed that the dead chimpanzee referenced an earlier story in the week regarding police officers having to shoot and kill a monkey that attacked and killed a woman. The cartoonist claims he was commenting that the latest stimulus bill was written by a bunch of dumb monkeys (congressmen). But others disagree.

Many claim that the monkey could be seen as a racist comment on one of the chief architects of the stimulus bill, President Obama. They claim that the editors should have recognized that the editorial could be misconstrued and should have pulled the cartoon. For a summary of this story, click here .

What’s your take? Is the cartoon O.K. or is it racially insensitive? Is this a legitimate argument or in our quest for political correctness, have we become too sensitive?

Was A-Rod an A-hole to the Media?

2009-02-17T09:43:00.000-08:00

I'd like you to watch the following clip about the A-Rod steroid case by clicking here. The testing that happened years ago was supposed to be anonymous, yet A-Rod's name was published. Some journalists have argued that the other 103 names that tested positive for steroids don't need to be published. What do you think? Should their names be released just like A-Rod's. Do you think A-Rod was targeted because he has had poor relations with the media in the past.
What about A-Rod's claim that the Sports Illustrated reporter has been unnecessarily hounding him. Apparently there will be another press conference by A-Rod today around 1:30.
Do you think the press needs to be more active in covering steroid abuse in professional sports? What do you think about "public shame" that the video clip mentions? Is that the role that the media should serve in these cases?

Let's Talk About Sex

2009-02-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

Last week's talk about Jessica Simpson got us talking about sex a little bit so let's stay with the topic. Late last year, CNN published a piece on a RAND study linking teen pregnancy to watching sex on television. First, read the piece here. After reading i want you to address a few questions.
1. Do you think the results are correct? Does watching more sex on tv lead to teen pregnancy?
2. What other factors are also leading to teen pregnancy? In the piece one person says that too many things other than parenting are always blamed for teen pregnancy. Do you agree? Could good parenting counter the effects of watching too much sex on TV.
3. Could there be a third variable going on here? Teen pregnancy is on the rise. Sex on TV is on the rise. The number of hours of TV watched is on the rise? What's going on?
4. The term Media Literacy is used. This means teaching people how to critically interpret and understand the media with which they engage. (Basically you're taking a class in media literacy right now). Is there a place for this in the classroom? And how can we teach media literacy in the classroom when education budgets are being slashed and we are barely getting basic skills like reading and writing taught in the classroom?

The Female Body Image

2009-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Looking at the celebrity gossip pages this week, i saw a story regarding singer/actress Jessica Simpson. Gossip columnists posted pictures of Simpson saying that she has gotten "fat". Here's a pic of her portraying Daisy Duke in the Dukes of Hazzard movie.

And here's a current photo

Many celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Heidi Klum (also known for showing off their body) state that people should leave Jessica alone and stop ridiculing someone for their weight gain.

Here's my question. There is no doubt that a key reason behind Simpson's success (as well as Kardashian and Klum's) happens to be their body image. All of these women use their sexuality to sell items. In essence, part of their "product" or "brand" is their body. Are we as consumers, entitled to speak negatively of someone when that "brand" is not up to the same standard it has been in the past. In other words, because these women make money off their body, can we ridicule them when we think they have "let themselves go." Or, is that a sexist notion. If we commented on the appearance of a woman who was not a sex symbol, would we be considered sexist? The argument goes both ways. Marlon Brando was viewed as a sex symbol but many made fun of his weight gain towards the end of his life. Should anyone be concerned about Simpson's weight?

Also, i've been having trouble associating your post id's to an actual name. Please write your name at the bottom of your posts so i can ensure you get your points.

While i was sick

2009-01-26T10:15:00.000-08:00

I told you that i had the flu last week. I was in bed for about two days straight and had a chance to watch a lot of TV. I noticed something (especially since i was nauseous). There are a lot of food advertisements on television. There are a lot for fast food but also a lot for food in general. Being that we have a national obesity problem (with mississippi being one of the fatest states in the nation), do you think that food advertising should be regulated so that there are certain rules about how much food advertising can occur within a program? Or do you think this is an area that government should not be concerned with? If we regulate advertising on unhealthy activities such as drinking and smoking, should we regulate advertising on food? Two paragraphs please.

Freebie Post this week

2009-01-21T07:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting this week. I'm afraid i got the flu over the weekend and am just now getting back to normal. Since it is so late in the week, i won't post anything this week but will give everybody the points for this week.

Social Media

2009-01-12T15:08:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new semester! One of the things that i noticed last semester was how much time i was spending with Facebook. If you don't know about Facebook, then you need to look it up. Google it. Using this social connector, i have been able to re-establish contact with friends from long ago. Over the holidays i had dinner with an old college buddy that i found by using facebook.

So here's my question to you. How has social media like facebook, myspace, youtube, changed your life? Do you use any of these programs? Some people even have their cellphone connected to facebook. I'm amazed at how much information people will share on these sites. People constantly post pictures of themselves in compromising situations. I even know some employers who check candidates' facebook pages to see what kind of person they are in private. Do you think the Internet, with the help of these programs, is helping us reveal too much about ourself. Is modesty fading because of new media? Or does the possibility of re-connecting with old friends and establishing relationships with similar likes and dislikes outweigh the negative implications of this media. Remember, two paragraphs. Again, welcome to class.

Holliday Media

2008-11-24T08:11:00.000-08:00

Video Games and Violence

2008-11-10T07:54:00.000-08:00

So last week the topic was sex and tv. This week it's video games and violence. This is my particular research area. In addition to teaching, i conduct experiments at the university looking at what elements in a game contribute to hostile feelings. I will leave my personal feelings and findings out of this post because i don't want to persuade the group. I noticed CNN posted this article last week. So what do you think about violent video games. Are they becoming too prevalent in society? Do they contribute to violence? Can we blame them for school shootings (as the media has done several times, especially at Columbine)? If they are a negative force for children, how do we combat that? Your thoughts please.

TV and SEX

2008-11-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

CNN published a piece today on a RAND study linking teen pregnancy to watching sex on television. First, read the piece here. After reading i want you to address a few questions.
1. Do you think the results are correct? Does watching more sex on tv lead to teen pregnancy?
2. What other factors are also leading to teen pregnancy? In the piece one person says that too many things other than parenting are always blamed for teen pregnancy. Do you agree? Could good parenting counter the effects of watching too much sex on TV.
3. Could there be a third variable going on here? Teen pregnancy is on the rise. Sex on TV is on the rise. The number of hours of TV watched is on the rise? What's going on?
4. The term Media Literacy is used. This means teaching children about the lies and manipulations that can be made in the media. (Basically you're taking a class in media literacy right now). Is there a place for this in the classroom? And how can we teach media literacy in the classroom when we are barely getting basic skills like reading and writing taught in the classroom?

SPOOKY TIME!!!!

2008-10-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

Now He's Too Busy???

2008-10-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Ringo Starr of The Beatles recently posted a video claiming he was too busy to answer fan mail or sign autographs. Here's the video.

So has Ringo finally earned the right to no longer take fan mail or do you think he has an obligation to respond to people who have supported him in the past. What exactly do you think should be the relationship between a star and the fan?

Tim McGraw Needs to Apologize

2008-10-14T12:22:00.000-07:00

This just in: Tim McGraw is apologizing for releasing a greatest hits CD when there was only one studio album released since his latest greatest hits album. See the story here. Thank you Tim. I myself have always hated when an artist released greatest hits albums within 5 years of putting the last one out. I also hate it when a band that only has 3 albums out decides to release a greatest hits album.

Are we too quick to make musicians into icons. Sure some musicians have conquered album sales (like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Springsteen). But aren't there some people out there who really don't deserve to keep releasing albums. Who do you think is the most over-rated singer/performer out there. With economic times as hard as they are, is there anyone out there that you would pay over $100 to see in concert.

Also, with the advent of ITunes and other legal downloading applications, do you think the "greatest hits" album is a thing of the past? Does the ability to buy single songs instead of whole albums impact the concept of a greatest hits package?

An often overlooked media

2008-10-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
It seems that the current trend in cellphones these days are either the blackberry or the iphone, both of which function more as a mini-computer rather than a simple phone. One of the latest things i've been thinking about it how all the new phones have GPS in them. You know what GPS is, the ability for a satellite to recognize your location and give you directions to any place you want to travel.

George Carlin, the comedian, once said, "When fascism comes to America, it will not be in brown and black shirts. It will not be with jackboots. It will be Nike sneakers and smiley shirts. Smiley-smiley." If you're a fan of Star Wars then you remember in the last prequel movie, the female hero says, "so this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause." Sometimes i believe our freedoms and liberty are being plucked from us and we misinterpret that pluck as a tickle. Think about this. With every cellphone now having GPS, Facebook wants to publish an application where you can locate where your friends are at any moment of the day by tracking your GPS cellphone. Slowly your right to privacy is being stolen, and we are happily signing up to pay $50 a month to ensure it.

How has the cellphone changed our life and how will it further change our life. Do you view the cellphone as a positive technology or negative. Give reasons for both: why the cellphone is good and bad for society. Also, where do you think the cellphone is heading. What will the cellphone technology hold for us in the future? Remember two paragraphs.

P.S. i have someone posting as Matthew&Ashley. That person has not received any points yet. Could you please tell me your name so i can credit you with points.

A Week Off

2008-09-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

Because of the midterm being this week, there is no blog.

School Shootings and the Media

2008-09-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry for being a day late on this. Word is just now spreading that there was a massive school shooting in Finland today. As someone who studies media violence and particularly video games, i wonder how long it will be before the press mentions that the shooter played violent video games. It always seems to be a talking point with the press. Perhaps this time we won't hear anything about it, but my money says it will be mentioned.

This brings me to another point. Media violence is typically stated as an influence in these types of events. What is your view. Does violence in the media spark these type of mass killings. Give me reasons and arguments to back up your beliefs. What do you think is most responsible for these violent actions. Remember, two paragraphs please.

Laughing to the White House

2008-09-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

So, two big events this weekend. First, Sarah Palin's interview on ABC. Second, and perhaps more important, the parody of Palin on Saturday Night Live, which can be found by clicking here.

Parodying political figures and events is nothing new, but we seem to be at a period in time where programs like "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," and "Real Time with Bill Maher" are scoring major ratings. That brings me to this week's questions.

1. What do you think about the Palin parody that i linked above? Do you think it's funny, unfair, important, etc? Do you think political parody serves an important function in society?

2. What's your favorite political parody (a cartoon, a sketch, etc.) and where did you see it (Saturday Night Live, a magazine, a newspaper, another TV show)? Why was it your favorite?

Remember, give me two paragraphs.

And finally, i want you to google the following terms "Jonathan Swift, A Modest Proposal". You don't have to write anything about what you find. I just want to show you that political parody and protest have been around for awhile. If Swift were alive today, he'd be a regular on The Daily Show.