After completing this assignment, one of the theories I stand by would be Shriver’s interplay of words and pictures. According to Shriver (1997), it is vital to integrate prose and words in a document. In this modern age, one is rarely without the other. I have learnt that both components can assist in solving complex communication issues by putting knowledge about verbal and visual rhetoric into practice.
Another theory would be Reep’s design features. Based on Reep (2006), a good document is presenting information in a form they find applicable. This will guide readers through the document and drawing attention where necessary and increasing the rate of remembrance.
Personally, as a blogger, apart from the ethical perspective one of the most important element is to design well. Based on Reep’s design principles, and the understanding of white space, typography, written cues and colour (Reep, 2006) are bread and butter to an attractive document that will stick in the minds of people.
Source: (aidanfoley.wordpress.com)
References:
1. Schriver, K 1997, Dynamics in Document Design: creating texts for readers, Wiley Computer Publications, New York.
2. Reep, D 2006, Technical Wrting, Pearson, New York.
Malaysia’s leading media investment group Media Prima aired a controversial, race-sensitive advertisement during the festive season of Ramadan in August. They were forced to axe a serious of these racist advertisements on 8TV channel that were suggestive of how other races should act in public. In addition, MP’s CEO, Ahmad Izlam Omar tweeted a simple apology followed by deflecting the issue by conversing about a random topic – musical brass instruments. Below is another tweet telling the public to "chill" about the racist ads.
Source: (joshuaongys.com)
A very distasteful ad, in my opinion, it depicted a Chinese girl in skimpy clothes eating in public during the fasting month and further mentioned this is how NOT to act. How much more insensitive could you be? Stereotypes are never a good thing; they lead to misinterpretations and can be hurtful, it’s unethical.
The compilation of the racist Ramadan ads by Media Prima.
Another example of racists advertising videos would be the one aired in Australia about KFC. It features a Caucasian guy, identified as Mick amidst a sea of rowdy coloured people in the stands, he is portrayed as the civilized one and how he cons them to calm down with KFC chicken and he utters the words "Too easy." after. (Owens, 2010)
According to Walsh (2006) it mentions about being aware of cultural and situational aspects to ensure that all parties are respected as mentioned in (Putnis & Petelin 1996). The Media Prima advertisement was rude and gained backlash on social media. This is not the first time 8TV has gotten into trouble with issues like this, they were previously fined RM 50,000 for it.
Based on the Malaysian Code of Advertising Practice, it states that “advertisements must not identify or typecast each particular racial group or sex with vocations, traditional values and backgrounds” (The Code of Advertising Practice, 2006). This series of Ramadan has done that, they judged and were not sensitive in considering the wellbeing of other races.
Racism does have an ideological basis which includes social practices such as discriminatory discourses and other interactions (Van Dijk, 2011). Racial contestation marks the logical outcome of a population that has a racial hierarchy where one race is superior to the rest (Silva, 2001).
3. Walsh, M 2006, ‘The ‘textual shift’: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal text’, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 24-37.
4. Putnis, P and Petelin, R 1996, Professional Communication : Principles and Applications, Prentice Hall, USA.
5.The Code of Advertising Practice 2006, Advertising Standards Authority Malaysia, viewed 4 November 2011, <http://www.asa.org.my/thecode.htm>.
UK Phone-Hacking Scandal Shows Clash of Privacy with Need to Know
Owner of News of the World (NOTW), Rupert Murdoch has given British journalism something to talk about after certain actions the tabloid paper has taken. It became a “hackgate” that listened in on people’s conversations especially vulnerable groups like: child murder victims, families of terror attacks and parents of soldiers killed in action. They used a special 4-digit PIN to access celebrities, public figures, royalties, etc voice mail. NOTW eventually shut down due to its tasteless act of invading one’s privacy.
Source: (hollywoodgossip.com)
click here to view video about the Rupert Murdoch scandal. Source: A short video by ABC news (2011) provides us the details.
No doubt the public are entitled to certain information but the means of getting that information has to remain ethical. I think it is wrong for corporations to “listen in” to the conversation of others just to gain a competitive edge. They may justify that it is news that concerns the public but there are other ways of getting the same piece of news without interfering into the private lives of others.
For instance, in relation to photojournalism, Japanese photographer, Kohei Yoshiyuki captured a photo in the 1970s that invaded privacy on all levels. It was during a time were couples in Japan could not find more private locations to be intimate and would have intercourse in parks (Chapine, 2010). The picture is displayed below:
Source: (cheerfulblues.wordpress.com)
"The Park" by Kohei Yoshiyuki, 1971
In journalistic world, invasion of privacy is a detrimental act. Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics states that journalists must:
1) Seek truth and report it
2) Minimize harm
3) Act independently
4) Be accountable
Under these four points which explains about minimizing harm (being sensitive and eliminating discomfort) of the victims when gathering news (SPJ Code of Ethics, 1996). Sources, subjects, colleagues must be treated with respect and only an overriding public need can justify invasion of privacy.
According to Ray (2006) tabloidization refers to a change done by the media about international issues of significance and presenting them as an entertainment and drama-like journalism. The hacking was done to dig up information from these vulnerable groups to have a major scoop over their competitors.
Commercialism is similar to tabloidization that it seeks to entertain readers, it deals with the capitalist system (Berry, 2008). Some others say it’s a played-down version of Marxism, particular free-market arrangements. Newspaper commercialism denotes ignoring news that may offend readers resulting in homogenization of content that only caters to public interest regardless of quality of content (McQuail, 2005).
4. Berry, D 2008, Journalism, Ethics and Society, Mixed Sources, England.
5. McQuail, D 2005, McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory, fifth edn, SAGE publications, London.
6. ABC News, 2008, Rupert Murdoch to shut down News of the World after UK Hack Scandal, video, YouTube, 8 July, viewed 9 November 2011, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXLnVKQ7jpc>.
Australian American business magnate, Rupert Murdoch has launched his new iPad-only newspaper in February. It emphasizes on the modern format of news via the Internet and no longer the traditional style of “hold and fold”. NewsCorp has rode on the successful name of Apple’s tablet in hopes to add another succession to existing publications like Fox News and New York Post.
It is a step forward in spreading news to society. Not just the youth, working class also prefer their news online. I feel that with the sea of people buying smartphones and tablets, it is only wise to move along with the trend and supply news from a medium they find relatable.
Another example of technology taking over the traditional way of doing things – booking airline tickets and hotels, you do not have to purchase them at the locations anymore. There has been an application on the iPad called Kayak (online travel service) that has the fastest flight search in the world (Muir, 2011). It provides you with a list of prices, airlines, durations and class with a simple interface on the tablet itself. Below is an example of the application's interface.
Source: (tnooz.com)
Under Kress and van Leeuwen’s semiotic landscape, there are various modes which are public communication available according to their uses and valuations (Kress & van Leeuwen, 1996). Some are more valued than others because of cultural or historical influences (Abrahamsson, 1999). For example, print is typically known as an authoritative source for credible news compared to online. Albeit so, this valuation seems to be taking a “paradigm shift” and online sources seem to be popular because of the younger generation and their acceptance of news due to “enculturation” of new media.
The iPad is a tablet that has great usability. Some of its special features include a read-tap asymmetry for websites, for content that is large enough to read but often times too small to tap (Budiu & Nielson, 2011).
According to Brill (2011), it mentions that iPad users use their PC 39% less since they owned the iPad. Furthermore, a survey called the YouGov survey have determined that a total of 51% of users prefer to read from their iPad. Not too shabby comparing with the traditional print media as the diagram below shows.
Orthodox Jewish paper apologizes for Hilary Clinton deletion
New York newspaper – Di Tzetung was found to have digitally removed a picture of Hilary Clinton and counterterrorism director, Audrey Tomason from a photograph where Barack Obama and his staff were in the White House. The published in Yiddish paper claimed that it is “immodest” to publish pictures of women according to ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Source: (thelmagazine.com)
The photographs clearly show the alterations made
and the one without the women was published.
I personally feel that images should not be digitally altered, especially those published in the media. It gives a sense of falsity which could ultimately mislead readers. Photojournalists should exercise wisdom and only alter photographs when they are underexposed. However, there should be a disclaimer.
For instance, in the case of freelance photographer, Adnan Hajj doctoring photos of the bombing in Beirut, within his possession over 900 images of the bombing which were digitally altered which was later removed by Reuters due to manipulation of photos with no disclaimers whatsoever (Lappin, 2006)
Source: (news.bbc.co.uk)
In the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Code of Ethics (Appendices B) states that as journalists accuracy is vital hence it is wrong to alter contests of photographs in any way that deceives the public.
Furthermore, “as photojournalists we have the responsibility to document society and to preserve its images as a matter of historical record (Bersak, 2006).
According to Schiller (2008) it states that photographs were created to be a narrative voice to the circumstance, and the preconceived photographer’s and audiences’ minds. Digital Custom Group Inc. (2002) adds on by saying alternations that “compensate for limitations and defects inherit digital process” are allowed but the photo must maintain its “true-to-life” accuracy.
In this case, Herbert Gans’s paradoxical cultural values can be seen. More specifically – ethnocentrism whereby an ethnic or cultural group tends to feel superior as compared to other groups (Hooghe, 2008). The Jewish had the perception of their cultural beliefs can be applied to the printing of newspapers.
The last theory that is applicable is Roland Barthe’s theory of semiotics. Barthes states that there is a structural system of codes or signs that acts as a social phenomenon, in the context of how they work in society (Crews, 2008). In photojournalism, cultural codes play a big role thus the “cropped” image of both women, as explained by managing editor, Lil Swanson of The Forward.
2. Bersak, D 2006, Ethics in Photojournalism: Past, Present and Future, S.B. Comparative Media Studies & Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology, viewed on 10 November 2011,<http://web.mit.edu/drb/Public/PhotoThesis/>.
According to (Reep 2006), it states that a document design indicates how it appears visually. It provides information and also visualrepresentations about relevant design principles: balance, proportion, sequence and consistency.
"We can think of a document as a field of interacting rhetorical clusters."
- Karen A. Shriver
When a reader reads a text, they begin to develop visual information (structured way of planning an interaction with the reader) about it such as size, colour, layout and more hence its importance (Hilligoss 2002).
Text is mostly scanned before reading hence readers map out reading paths before they read. It allows them to be exposed to values, salience, interpretations (Kress and van Leeuwen 1998, p.205)
According to Nielson (1999) it highlights the main differences about print and on-screen document designs. Issues such as dimensionality, interactivity, navigation, etc will be identified.
Differences in print and on-screen documents
1. Dimensionality
Source: (notcot.com, 2000)
Print design is 2-dimensional, you can flip the pages. Its design is displayed on a large canvas for viewing information all at once.
Source: (Boolegenterprise.com, 2009)
On-screen designs are 1-dimensional and N-dimensional. It gives a scrolling experience that fits differently according to window size.
2. Interactivity
Source: (beate-epp.com, 2006)
An example of a print design (newspaper) that has high impact images to attract readers and bring interactivity.
Web designs have reached a new level in terms of interactivity. The technology incorporated to enhance multimodal texts and user interactivity is great.
(click here to view Cascading Style Sheets 3 example)
3. Navigation
In print designs, the main form of navigation is done by turning pages. It's simple and benefits the reader in terms of selectivity.
In on-screen designs, web designs follow the hypertext navigation like the occurrence of links, where the link will lead and more.
I concur that both types of design are beneficial differently. Its' purposes can cater to our needs if we know how to apply it accordingly.
References
1. Reep, D 2006, Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings, Pearson, New York.
The media has become a big part of the lives of people today, largely for the purpose of communication. According to Kress and van Leeuwen (2006, p.23), it segregates 'old' and 'new' visual literacy. How the old focuses on language and little emphasis on visuals and the new is quite the opposite. Face-to-face communication has since then taken a back seat while social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and more are gaining acceptance rapidly. Though it may be so, there are several benefits to social media such as linking with people, seeking expertise and transmitting content quickly (Hotler 2007). Hence, now everyone can be a journalist.
Source: (Google images, 2009)
In fact traditional media such as books, newspapers and magazines are more advanced than they were. Most newspapers are available online these days, likewise for books (ebooks) and magazines (e-zines).Thus, the internet or these new forms of media publishing doesn't only provide one with options and better prospects but in (Naughton 2006) the internet also keeps one more informed and provides resources to obtain more information. On the other hand, there are some negative implications of the new media publishing that we have today. Take for example, YouTube. YouTube "offences" are often linked to ethical issues. Malaysia's Wee Meng Chee or commonly known as Namewee caused a controversy when his modified version of Negaraku was uploaded on YouTube in 2007. His citizenship was revoked and he was arrested under ISA after striking back with another controversial video (Asrul 2010). (click here to view video) Although when we have the freedom to express ourselves, it should be done wisely.
References
Kress, G and van Leeuwen, T 2006, 'The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication', Reading Images, pg. 16-44.
A blog community is like a social network device. They enhance communication and connections between people from different groups that have an identical mentality (Kinkeldei 2007). It allows people to share thoughts, review news and stay connected with their fellow enthusiasts.
Types of blogging community
According to (White 2006) there are 3 different types of blogging communities.
Source: (White, 2006)
1. One blog centric community : A community that is dependent one main blogger (person/organization)
2. Topic centric community : A community that is dependent on common topics of interest
3. Boundaried community: A community that is represented by a collection of blogs and its readers on a specific platform
How to create a blog community?
There are five different ways to create your own blogging community. Echoed in blog post (Holman 2011)
1. Reach out to professional bloggers
- Connecting with bloggers who are more established and experienced to gain know knowledge
2. Respond to commenters
- Responding to people who leave comments on your blog in the comment section
3. Write posts in reaction to others
- Writing about what others wrote to engage in conversation and build connections
4. Create a local blogger meet-up
- An actual meeting in real life can help expand the existing community that you have
Keywords mania 2011) offers information about Xanga.com which is an example of a blogging community. You can upload photos and videos online hence increasing networking. Some group examples include: arts and humanities, entertainment, business and finance, etc.
Xanga has incorporated one of White's models, mainly topic centric community which binds bloggers by a particular interest be it food or politics. Thus Xanga has created a platform for them to "meet" new people and share their common interests with one another by "journalling" or uploading photos. This community will then grow as each member of the community finds a common fan and they find another common fan. It acts like a chain reaction of similar interest people.
So how do people even begin if they want to be a part of a particular community? According to Osberg (2009) some of the ways include leaving comments on other blogs. This will help them (other bloggers) know more about you and you, more about them (through their feedback). Another would be to join conversations on Twitter. Over 70% of Twitter users have blogs, it would be a good place to start. You could reply the tweets or others or post tweets of your own and gain feedback but do not feel shy or uncomfortable to reply the tweets or people you don't know, it's on Twitter for the purpose of gaining feedback anyway.
In my opinion, I think Xanga's efforts are great. We are now more exposed to like-minded people like ourselves and it has given groups like housewives or stay at home dads an avenue to channel their creative thoughts as well. Blogging communities help us find our "kind" of people. It is important to express in accordance to one's passions and interests.
References
1. Kinkeldei, B 2007, Blog Communities: Forging Connections and Promoting Growth Through Blog Communities, Whitepaper, 21publish, viewed 23 August 2011,
