Lecture 6: Commercial Media

This lecture hit close to home for me. I happen to be very passionate about the idea of peer brokerage and monarchical control of news and media. The ability and ease in which already powerful figures such as Rupert Murdoch, the Packer Family and the newly emerged Gina Rinehart, can manipulate the news is disgusting. As an archaic relic Rupert's sour outlook on politics is aptly reflected in his tendency to alter his media for political power and control. 

For example the freedom and liberties granted by News Limited to Bill O'Reilly (a presenter on the Fox US channel) is worrying. He, i feel, is a great example of how Rupert's brash opinions and poetical games harm the community.

Obviously the point of commercial media is to generate money through large audience viewership and their gain paid advertisement, but in a lot of cases advertising is seemingly excessive and is almost killing certain mediums. For example, commercial radio is a joke. The amount of tedious, repetitive and dumb advertising is almost silly. That is why i prefer ABC radio and tv. 

The various conglomerate media companies can be divided as such

NINE ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

• Channel 9
• GO!
• Gem
• Extra
• Ninemsn
• Womens Weekly, Cosmo, Cleo
• AcerArena

NEWS LIMITED

• Courier Mail
• The Australian
• Quest Community Newspapers
• NRL
• HarperCollinsPublishers
• Fox Sports
• National Geographic Channel
• SkyNews
• Foxtel
• 20th Century Fox

SEVEN NETWORK

• Channel 7
• 7 Two
• 7 Mate
• Sky News
• The West Australian
• Yahoo 7
• Pacific Magazines

FAIRFAX MEDIA

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• The Age
• Financial Review
• Brisbane Times
• Domain.com.au
• MyCareer.com.au
• RSVP

I didn't know that the government now subsidises Free to Air media apart from the ABC. IT seems sensible to me to maintain citizens writes to free press and media. As someone who doesn't have foxtel or austar i think it is extremely important that we keep pastimes such as Sport on FTA. The slow shift in sport broadcast rights toward pay tv worries me. Things such as the A league and Soccerroos, Super 14 and now even a lot of cricket is on the Fox Sports network. As a enthusiast of all these Sports it angers me and i am sure many others that i cannot access it.

Having been introduced through this subject to the Global Mail, i am now a massive fan and read a lot of their articles. A recent article by Jeremy Clarke about Kenya marathon runners i found genius and mesmerising. This is definitely the kind of journalism that inspires me.

http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/how-to-win-marathons/308/

peace. x

Lecture 5: A Picture Tells A Thousand Words

Photo-journalism is definitely not for me. After battling through COMU1999 last semester, this lecture made me uncomfortable. That is not to say that i don't appreciate or understand the relevance and importance of photo-journalism. In a contemporary sense a could image makes or breaks a story. An image is extremely important in hooking and capturing an audience, especially in a highly competitive and fast paced medium such as the internet.

I am a strong advocate for stumble upon and am constantly finding myself spending hours 'stumbling' interests such as travel and sports photography.

In an explosive and instant 21st century news environment, pictures often come as the first source of news or information. The capability of  people globally to take photos and be able to upload them within seconds to social media such as Twitter or Facebook, has heralded a new age of front line journalism.

images found on Stumbleupon such as,

 www.buzzfeed.com/pepsinext/10-beautiful-places-in-the-world-that-actually-exi/

onebigphoto.com/baby-chameleons/

constantly engaged me and succeeded in encouraging me to spend a long period of time browsing their site.

New and interesting images never get old. That is the hidden beauty of photo journalism. Multiple and detailed perspective can be given within an instant through a few careful taken photos.

With the current technological capabilities photos and images now can be altered and manipulated. This is an interesting and often controversial development in which almost anything can be made to look real or realistic. Programs such as photoshop are readily accessible and easy to use. Criticism of the air brushing and alteration of front page models to look almost inhumanly beautiful is testament to the away in which we can be persuaded and encouraged by media outlets.

peace. x

Kissing couple during the Vancouver Riots

Controversy at Home

As the voting booths for the UQ Student Union Elections open tonight for college students, Colin Finke deemed it necessary to give a short address at dinner in order to 'speak out against unfounded allegations brought upon the current Fresh party. Allegations of misconduct and foul play have rocked UQ in recent weeks after what i can only describe as a immoral act of cowardice and injustice. Previously a Fresh supporter due to their ongoing and generous support toward college life, I was horrified by the unethical actions of Fresh.

Having changed the constitutional right under the UQ Union Student laws of entitlement to ownership  for a decade of a previously listed party name, to that in which a party must re-apply every year, Fresh has essentially ensured a continuing term in power.

Allow a completely legal act, the obvious implication here is the moral and ethical dilemma that now stands in the way of our right to democratically have options come voting day.

Being a Cromwell College resident in the few weeks has been far from uneventful. Especially considering that the current President and many of the Pulse 'running delegates' are my 'noisy neighbours'. It has been interesting to see observe the growing divide also in the college community that previously hasn't existed. Although assured for a next term in power, i feel that this stunt was in a lot of ways politically immature. Fresh have alienated and unsettled there largest and most devoted support base, in the college system. Previously united in an attempt to ensure continued support for college events, many students such as myself are now left bitter and resentful. This is of course overtly promotional to the general university student population and perspective.

It is encouraging to see the gross coverage by the media of this issue. originally simply a social network and on campus movement. Democracy 4UQU has picked a broad and devoted following. The willingness for numerous news outlets who have picked up the story, seemed curious to me.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-29/angry-protests-over-uq-student-union-election/4231260

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/uq-shines-spotlight-on-student-union-activity/story-e6frgcjx-1226460171774

http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/08/27/university-of-queensland-union-documents/

http://www.news.com.au/national/university-of-queensland-to-hold-hearing-over-union-freshs-dirty-tactics/story-fndo4ckr-1226455938819

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/stories/s3572763.htm

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opposition-candidates-withdraw-from-university-of-queensland-student-union-election-after-incumbent-party-changes-rules/story-e6freon6-1226454793016

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/allegations-fly-over-brisbane-university-election-20120820-24idh.html

However the obvious link between Fresh and the Queensland Liberal National Party makes it a topical issue, i guess. Although fresh deny any alliance or party political links and bias, it is clear to see and is emphasised by the 'friendship' they share with LNP Senator George Brandis. Who has publically endorsed the Fresh Executive in Parliament as his 'friends'. See link below,

http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2011-09-20.236.12

Although everything seems to be coming to a natural end, it certainly seems to me that more transparency os needed now and for the future. Hopefully the recently announced audit of the Union proves to be a step in the right direction.

peace. x

Lecture 4: Stories with Sound

I have to admit i was hanging out for a lecture like this. At home in Lennox Head on the Far North Coast of NSW, my family listens to ABC statewide local radio almost 24/7. My parents are even in the habit of often falling asleep listening to the radio in their bedroom. Dinner conversations was often interrupted by someone answering a question from Norman the Quiz on the Evenings program. Needless to say my childhood was characterised by growing up listening to James O'loughlin quick wit and interesting/topical banter. i was ecstatic to find out Richard Fiedler was speaking in this lecture as  my mothers favourite segment is 'Conversations'. hearing this lecture prompted me to go and listen to the most recent broadcast. Fiedler is talking to Benjamin Law a gay-Asian writer who travels through asia exploring how he would of struggled if he hadn't come to Australia. 

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisbane/conversations/201208/r996728_11052297.mp3

All presenters where thoroughly engaging and the lecture left me feeling positive about the future of radio, something i was very undecided and worried about. A unique medium still largely unchanged and untouched until recently by technology, radio i believe, still has a more to give to the media and larger community. Points addressed such  are the fact radio is avery different medium and being known transferable made me appreciate more this form of broadcasting. 

Radio seems to me to be more humble and more intimate. Listeners feel more included, in fact often we are engaged and transfixed to a conversations that is retrospectively about nothing or dull. This is due to this intimate effect i think. I was interested also by the conversation about talk back and its ability to transpose the boundary that other mediums struggle with.

The more dreary element of the lecture revolved around speech patterns, tone and structure. The most important point i noted was importance of these elements as voice is the only tool that can be manipulated on radio. Audience must be constantly engaged so as to prevent a change of station. People tend to stick more with and be more loyal to a particular broadcaster in radio, by comparison to other mediums such as television. Therefore loss of an audience is more detrimental.

The most thought provoking element I took away from the lecture was the definitely the idea that ' the most interesting people you interview are the ones you have never heard of'. This is encouraging for me not essentially in terms of radio media, but generally as motivation for the future.

I am not quite sure i whether i want to pursue this form of journalism but that is not to say that i am not in awe and appreciate create radio journalism such as the pop culture hit and phenomenon that is Triple J and it's various segments such as Like a Version. That is a genius example of how radio can transform itself.

peace. x

Flying High

I don't drink Red Bull but i certainly appreciate what RedBull has done for Sport.

The genius of Redbull is unparalleled. Only founded in 1984 there meteoric rise to the top of the branding world has given more back to the community of sport than most. Orignially labelled crazy for their aggressive international branding campaign, RedBull can now boost billion dollar profits not to mention a unrivalled public acceptance status. Obviously their path to the top through sponsorship etc. was with their personal interest at heart, however they have still managed to enable a whole new world of possibilities by giving people the opportunity to do what they love for a living. Through direct ownership and a management of teams, event sponsorship or athlete endorsement Red Bull has successfully brought to my eyes and the eyes of billions insane and interesting new forms of adventure, travel and sport.

Even as a firm believer that energy drinks shouldn't be sold cause of the long term health effects  i still have a unresolved appreciation for RedBull that have given such amazing things to the world of sport over the past decade. 

They sponsor a range of lesser known sports such as,

mountain biking, BMX, motocross, windsurfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, cliff-diving, surfing, skating, freestyle motocross, rally, Formula 1 racing.

just to name a few. Not to mention breakdancing to art shows, music, and video games. Many of the above sports i don't even enjoy or have interest in, but that is the genius of their business model. No matter what you are interested in RedBull have an event they support that interest you. 

RedBull generally cope a lot of abuse and often rightly so for the implications of their energy drink. However no one else gets better footage or has to date enable and encouraged such enthusiasm for generally speaking, forgotten sports.

This article is worth a read. 

http://www.simplyzesty.com/advertising-and-marketing/are-red-bull-just-a-media-company-who-happen-to-sell-energy-drinks/


Thankyou. x

Lecture 3: Telling Stories...

Considering writing is my favourite form of producing media, todays lecture on written and text as a medium for media production was highly relevant. As a print journalist, the guest lecturer Skye Doherty, provided an interesting, fresh and relevant insight into the current print media industry. Although i didn't raise my hand hand when she asked who wanted to be a print journalist, i certainly thought hard about doing so.

Hopefully it isn't pompous, but, i have always had an admiration for print journalists. The intricate and delicate (in some cases, definitely not all) way in which they can edit or shape words and texts to elaborate a particular perspective, emotion or idea; often without the public realisation of manipulation. Sound and image media, whilst liberating in some respects are much more confined and limited in this sense. It is almost artful, again in some cases, for journalist to give a narrative concisely.

Words are portable and accessible. Skye surprised me in saying that even in today's society, the tools of her trade are fundamentally, a pen and pad of paper. I think that is a really cool concept and something i could see myself being satisfied with. Although obviously times are changing and the majority of journalist are expected to be almost over-qualified or 'well rounded' in the sense that they need to write, shoot and edit there own stories now.

She also seemed to think print journalism was more engaging in terms of being able to engage with people. The quote suggested in the first lecture applies here i think,

"I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world".
   Henry R. Luce

Skye constantly referred to inverted pyramid news models as a means to explain to us 'newbies', the way in which the industry works. The way in which articles are prioritised, edited and arranged is all obvious by in the relevant models.

Generally speaking 'more important' news (as shown above) proceeds irrelevant and personal interest stories. However Skye and also Dr Bruce Redman previously, refer us to the escalating rate in which 'fluff' is being seen as prioritised news. Especially in an online medium due to the fact that we can now record and analysis where people are clicking, and therefore see what news they are interested in predominantly. This is obviously worrying to all journalism students as one does not idolise the idea of chasing nothing stories purely for the sake of making the news entertaining. 

I also found highly interesting the seemingly obvious, but unrealised, point that people tend not to read full articles. The tendency being to move on once we have 'got the gist of it'. So we must therefore adjust and structure print text so that key facts and information is conveyed concisely not to mention in order of importance and relevance. This model shows a simplified standard structure that a print journalist might use, 

The diagram that proceeded this definitely puzzled me.

An seemingly detailed breakdown of how to structure an article. i had to do further research in order to differentiate the purpose of the various heads.

Both of these diagrams will be extremely useful and I have saved them for future reference.

Peace. x

AFL Asks Questions of Young Swans

Having been beaten in a top of the ladder clash with the Hawthorn Hawks, questions are being asked of a young hopeful Sydney Swans outfit. Previous leaders overnight in the race for the AFL Minor Premiership flag, they now sit second behind the hawks with one game to play. Still level on points but behind on aggregate, they are mathematically able to top the hawks with a win against Geelong at home on the weekend.

Disappointed Sydney Swans after blowing a big lead at SCG

However having blown a 34 point lead, in the second half against the Hawks many coaches have written of the Swans as Premiership contenders due to their inability to hold their nerve against other top sides. Arguably the best coach of all time, Mick Malthouse, went as far as to say recently that "I can't get my head around them being the best side, on points, in the comp - because they're not."

This season is comparable to their 2007 premiership season where the similarly defied the critics and the odds, besting a host of other top teams to eventually win the final by a point. The differing factor is of course age however. With the loss Brett Kirk, Michael O'Loughlin, Leo Barry and Craig Bolton to retirement; the swans have arguably found more than adequate replacements alongside a host of young and hungry new midfield stars. The strong 'bloods' culture at the club is extremely strong and their is no lack of confidence. But with the lack of experience on the field, can these young bloods make the right decisions at key moments?

2010 Rising Star Winner Dan Hannebery beats a Hawk

Quality Strip to go with some Quality Transfers

I am so excited today as my favourite English Premier League football team, Tottenham Hotspur, have just unveiled our third Strip.

The new strip is easily better than the current home strip, which I , and many other people have been disappointed in. The return to the traditional collar on the home strip is hideous. The away and third strip now however, more than make up for it.

Away Strip

Home Strip

Third Strip

The unveiling comes as Tottenham  has found new sponsorship in Under Armour, who are attempting to capitalise in the current form, quality and success that is Spurs football. Having bounced back from the mid table wilderness of the early to mid 2000's, Spurs as of last season now sit firmly in contention for outside EPL title shot, not to mention an incredibly achievable Champions League berth for the second time in 3 yrs.

Although the loss of World Class Player Luka Modric is a massive blow, the signing by Real Madrid is testament to the recruiting and competitive class that Spurs have achieved in recent years under now forgone coach Harry Redknapp. The loss is tolerable however, success and a 'good culture' at the club has generated interest from high profile players willing to transfer to White Hart Lane. Possible signings in French World Class Keeper Hugo Lloris and Leandro Damiao an internacional and brazilian U23 superstar alongside transfers such as Sigurdsson, Vertonghen, Dembele and the return of Adebayor after a loan spell, sees us ultimately stronger. New Coach, Andre Villas Boas, who is himself an exciting new and young prospect at 34 years old, has managed to discard laot of ageing and dead salary  weight, in Saha and Corluka. However the sale of captain Michael Dawson is sad considering his current form and service he has done for spurs.

Lecture 2: Old & New - Media & Mediums

The ever developing and changing relationship or balance between old and new media and the forms in which it comes, has always interested me. Coming from a family big on 'reading the paper' and listening to abc radio for news, my resulting increased usage of the internet per the developments in accessibility, efficiency and flexibility of almost all mediums for media on the internet, seemed a prime example of how we are constantly adapting and creating new pathways for information. 

Having set and in checking these homepage websites everyday,

 I am not the most avid user of 'Old Media'. It was interesting however that in the lecture i was the only one who new about the changes of SMH and The Age to tabloids, suggesting perhaps a higher trend toward new media than myself and that i would of thought previously.

The concept of




was unexpectedly quite intriguing for me. Although an avid user of new media, i consider myself some what inept technically speaking. So the relief of not actually having to deal with technical jargon/knowledge alongside the concept of 'possibility for new ideas', actually really excited me. The idea of traditional roles for journalists in terms of producing media being somewhat dead or dying was scary, but exciting none the less.

The transition from a primary simplistic WEB 1.0 used primarily for information sharing or documenting, to WEB 2.0 and WEB 3.0 is perhaps relevant to and almost parallel in comparison with the transition to new media forms. WEB 2.0 is perhaps mostly responsible for a shift away from old media sources (e.g. newspapers). The readiness and accessibility coupled with the new found interactivity of WEB 2.0 is an efficient and flexible way to access information (e.g. news).

WEB 3.0 intrigues me. As a relatively new development i am unsure as to exactly what it encompasses apart from the potential for hyper-localisation of information and 'meta tagging'. The grey areas such as the ability for target advertising and person specific 'web tailoring' scare me. Although i am confident i click on enough links on relevant news events, to avoid a flood of recent celebrity or Justin Bieber updates, i still would like to have the power to 'tailor it' myself. It makes me think that a small percentage are controlling what we view collectively, and that is scary. Almost as scary as the idea of paying for information/news.

peace. x

Lecture 1: "You are the Journalist"

"I know of no human being who has a better time than an eager and energetic young

reporter",

continues to stick like a residue in the back of my mind. Having always had a passion for Debate, discussion and reading from a young age, especially in relation to sport, Dr Redman readied my insecurity in the doubt about the ability to get joy out of working in the current news media industry. Journalism has always appealed to me for the sole reason i check a host of news sites and mediums everyday in search of the latest hot interest item, and it makes sense to me to pursue what i enjoy.

Although brief, the lecture is clever in achieving its purpose of 'hooking' students. The relevance and casual nature of the compiled quotes and references enabled us to take away a huge interest and positive outlook toward the course. The engaging modem and low modality Dr Redman used, whilst easily and effectively conveying important information and ideas, made me feel positive that i was in the right place and that he was indeed qualified to teach journalism.

 The quotes, "I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world" and "Journalism is little more than scribbling on the back of advertisements" seem relevant, whilst being both exciting and challenging to me.  A feeling a think was universally shared amongst my peers.

I was also interested in the current issues facing contemporary journalist such as public perception of Journalists, technology and the death of the newspaper and news that is seen as entertainment.

Keen for next week.

Ten Day Media Use Diary

Ten Day Media Use Diary

In modern day scoiety media forms a broad and integral framework for increasing communication and access to information. My media use at a hyperlocal level demonstrates the relevance of media in everyday life. Living at college on campus heavily dictates my media use. The immediacy and close proximity of our living alongside minimal access to television, newspapers and no commute in which to listen to radio is strongly reflected in my collected data.

 The above graph by showing minutes (y-axis) of media use over ten days represents clearly a massive separation between between old and new mediums for viewing media. Even including the high televison use which was temporary (proven by the sudden drop on day 7) due to an interest in the olympics, old media such as radio and even phone use is vastly overshadowed by the dominating use of online resources and the internet. The accessiblity and flexiblity of almost all mediums for media on the internet has heraled a new age in information consuming and producing. When I first started to pay close attention to news, my consumption was a miscellaneous mix of print, tv, radio and online resources. Today the ability for me to specify, locate and recieve a maximum amount of desired information quickly has seen a complete transition to online sources. This is directly comparable to the gradual move in dependence on online research sources for study/assignments. The wealth and instant access to libraries of information on the internet, for example uq library, allows for increased efficiency and convenience. Due to a busy lifestyle the efficiency of online 'new' resources  can be seen in the fluctuation of the graphed internet research line; study/assignments that need to be completed are usually done within a short period of time, meaning a drop in the following days data.

 

  The difference between my production and consumption of media is massive. Aptly and crudely labelled 'facebook and phone retarded' by my friends, my heavy use of social media, highlights how universally accesible communication resources are. With me being in the  21% of the class not owning an app abled smart phone and therefore not being amongst the 81% who use the Facebook app, I understand how people are frustrated by my ‘inept’ use of social mediums such as facebook.The possibility of a link between the tendency for me to leave my phone at home compared to my friends who have smart phones seems relevant to me. However even though I may not be as instantly contactable as some, the importance of facebook to me as respresented by my data is no less, I feel, inferior to others. Facebook is my main source of communication, organisation and online socialising. Facebook provides constant contact with my friends from home who are now spread across various universities and world destination whilst not subtracting from face value time with college friends due to the ability to 'log in' and 'log out' of both communication circles. All college events (e.g. sport) are organised through facebook and being part of 'groups' with other college kids means I have constant access to academic support.

Overall, my relationship with new media is obvious through the reliance on online resources and the internet. Although my consumption of old media may be atypical, it can be adequately be explained by my college lifestyle and limited access to old media sources. 

g