Identities and Film: blog task

Identities and Film: blog task

1.) ...

2.) I am a sixth-form student at Greenford High School - 

I am the only child to my family

I am from a Nepalese ethnic background

I am diagnosed with ADD and mild OCD

I am sometimes in an alter-ego personality

I am an ex-resident to Hong Kong

I am interested in imagining

I am a music enthusiast
I am a video editor
I am immature
I am an artist
I am a Capricorn star sign
I am edgy
I am a theist?
I am a male
I am dynamic
I am both an introvert and extrovert
I am unconventional
I am honest 
I am calm

3.) 
I am a sixth-form student at Greenford High School - social groups and classifications
I am the only child to my family - social groups and classifications
I am from a Nepalese ethnic background - social groups and classifications
I am diagnosed with ADD and mild OCD - social groups and classifications
I am sometimes in an alter-ego personality - social groups and classifications
I am an ex-resident to Hong Kong - social groups and classifications
I am interested in imagining - self-evaluations
I am a music enthusiast - interests
I am a video editor - interests
I am immature - self-evaluations
I am an artist - self-evaluations
I am a Capricorn star sign
I am edgy - self-evaluations
I am a theist? - self-evaluations
I am a male - social groups and classifications
I am dynamic - self-evaluations
I am both an introvert and extrovert
I am unconventional - self-evaluations
I am honest - self-evaluations

I am calm - self-evaluations

4.) 
If I HAD to pick a favourite Disney film it would be Cars - this movie is memorable and nostalgic for me because of the songs that remind me of a certain time of my childhood. I seem to like especially the song "Life is a Highway" by the Rascal Flatts that conjures euphoric childhood memories for me. I identify as someone who seems to enjoy cherished moments in life as a result.

5.) LGBT identities give more authority to those in the categories: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The trailers for them explore their protests and fight for rights that they believe in.

Daily post now wales' best-selling regional newspaper

Story #50 Daily Post now Wales' best-selling regional newspaper 

According to the article, the Daily Post has overtaken the South Wales Evening Post as the top-selling printed regional daily in Wales, and as a result the Daily Post is now Wales' best-selling regional newspaper, although the print sector remains in long-term decline. Figures for 2016 show the paper, which serves readers across north Wales, sold an average of 22,251 copies. It is a decline on the 23,645 printed copies sold in 2015. The Daily Post's circulation has overtaken the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post. which had an average circulation in 2016 of 21,031 copies.

This also saw a decline in the number of browsers of its website. Kevin Ward, former South Wales Argus editor, said: "Newspaper sales have been declining for 50 years but that rate of decline has been much faster over the last 10 years since people have turned to online news.

• Wales Online's audience grew 13.1% to reach an average of 292,824 daily unique browsers, according to the latest ABC figures.
• The Daily Post's website grew 5.1% to reach 81,125 daily unique browsers.
• The Wales on Sunday also lost readers, reaching an average circulation of 11,608 last year compared to 14,314 in 2015.

newspaper business model broken

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/newspaper-business-model-broken-says-celtic-media-chief-1.2966782

Story #49 Newspaper business model ‘broken’, says Celtic Media chief

As the article states, the business model for local newspapers is “broken” and the future of Celtic Media's place as a newspaper producing company is not looking good. Chief executive of Celtic Media quotes “The reality is we are faced with a broken business model for local newspapers and, dare I say it, newspapers,”. Robert Pitt, chief executive of Independent News and Media, states that there had been a 62 per cent decline in print advertising revenues in the Irish newspaper industry since 2007 as well as a 39 per cent decline in circulation volumes over that period. Redundancies continue to occur across the industry. Mr Mulrennan, a former business editor of the Irish Independent, led a management buyout of Celtic Media when it went into receivership in 2012. He is its largest shareholder, while 25 per cent of the equity is held by its editors and sales managers.

• 62% decline in print advertising revenues in the Irish newspaper industry since 2007
• Celtic Media's has 25% of it's equity held by their editors and sales managers

identities apply feminism

Identities: applying feminism

Media factsheet: Applying Feminism

1.) The types of feminism outlined in the article are:

• Radical Feminism 
• Liberal Feminism
• Marxist-Feminism
• Black Feminism
• Postmodern Feminism

2.) Judith Butler argues how gender roles are a 'performance' and not biologically determined. She believes that it is influenced by external and social factors instead of the human biological nature in how men and women act. With this being said, Butler would probably fall under the category of a liberal feminist, given that their beliefs are exactly what she believes in, and that is that "This type of feminism is mainly concerned with gender socialisation in order to show that gender roles are not biologically determined. The main aim of this type of feminism is to change the ways children are socialised into stereotypical gender roles and to attempt to change social policy to improve the position of women within the family."

On the other hand, Angela McRobbie explores the empowerment and reclaiming of femininity. As a result she would most likely fall under the 

3.) Suffragettes are radical feminists that protested in often violent and illegal ways in order to maintain the party that they were fighting for. One of their most notorious actions were chaining themselves to the railings outside Downing Street and the houses of Parliament. 

On the other hand, Suffragists would take the exact opposite approach to protesting their feminist rights. Instead, they would peacefully and lawfully protest. Originally, this group of women were formed in 1897 to unite several existing women’s groups who wanted the vote for women. 

4.) Laura Mulvey argues that Hollywood's use of cinematography objectifies the women being presented, often focusing on their sexual appeal. This is obviously a demonstration that led to her theory of the 'male gaze', to which then she comments that Hollywood needs to change their style of cinematography. The fact sheet contains examples such as Megan Fox from the Transformers.

5.) Jean Killbourne points out the unrealistic ideal image of a women being presented by the media. She gives examples such as altered pictures such as using different women's facial parts to form one. Example, using eyes from women x, using nose from women y, using lips from women h, etc. She mentions magazines such as Lucy Magazine that used this technique. Her examples of exploiting ideal women appearance also includes her mentioning that women were only considered beautiful if they were in the approximate white ideal. She also mentions how in commercials for example, a bizarre idea of a women turning into a beer keg puts forth the 'maid' sort of figure a women would be.

6.) Killbourne's overall argument is that the representation of women in advertising is unrealistic, given the amount of 'artificial image' they are given from using several different people's features to make one, to having the ideal skin colour of white to only be the beautiful skin on a woman. 

7.) Theorist Naomi Wolf in 'The Beauty Myth' argues that beauty is socially constructed and is patriarchal. The fact sheet also states that her theory and suggestions are a follow on from Killbourne's representation of women in the media. She argues that each culture in the world varies in the definition of beauty, and the issue is that the Western society has given off this dominated representation of an ideal and beautiful woman onto other cultures.

8.) Given that women are sexually objectified in music videos, it is not surprising that it is a controversial topic for feminists. Examples given in the fact sheet are Nelly's video for Tip-Drill, which was seen to be controversial given that the music video supposedly had an unattractive woman but with an attractive body, putting forth the sexual objectification of women again. 

9.) Artists such as Beyonce and Nicki Minaj sort of do empower women as they given off the impression that they're comfortable in their own skin. However, the exception of Nicki Minaj given her buttock implants, plastic surgery, etc, does trespass the view of natural beauty, and instead says that she once wasn't happy and comfortable in her own skin. 

10.) New and digital media has given the Internet as a platform to express their views regarding feminism. They can use a synergy of connected links on the Internet to raise their voice using social media apps such as Twitter and it's 're-tweet' feature. Given this, there are two arguments that are derived from this. While women can challenge sexist views, they can also be harassed or Internet known - "trolled" and oppressed even more.

Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

Case study: Everyday Sexism

1.) Laura Bates, who started the 'Everyday Sexism' project as a website where feminists can share their stories of their victim experience as a female. 

2.) Everyday Sexism links into post-feminism in the sense that the idea that there is now gender equality from post-feminism can be challenged by the bombarding of incoming stories on the Everyday Sexism that is still present. This links as there is still something active going on between post-feminism and the western society in general.

3.) Judith Butler claims that gender roles are a 'performance' and are a result of social, political, influences, etc, and are not influenced by genetic nature. This can link to the creation of the Everyday Sexism project as there are still women who are victim to being harassed by men, therefore there is the need for feminism.

4.) Angela McRobbie talks about the empowerment of women in magazines. This links into the clash that women face, in other words, women cannot be free to express themselves comfortably without being harassed and commented by men.

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

1.) 'Networked feminism' is "... a phenomenon that can be described as the online mobilization and coordination of feminists in response to perceived sexist, misogynistic, racist, and other discriminatory acts against minority groups." In short, it is the widespread of feminism using modern technology such as social apps to raise an Internet presence. 

'Why is it a problem' discusses the ongoing activity of women who are being victim to prejudice and discrimination despite the fact that there is belief we have arrived at a post-feminism era.

2.) The four waves of feminism are:

First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).

Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.

Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. 

Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

I do believe to an extent that we are in the fourth wave of feminism - networked feminism as the modern era has had a huge influence in the influx and bringing light to feminism in general. However, I also feel as if networked feminism is a sort of merging between passiveness and womanly nature in respect. Protests would I think in my opinion be more influencing. 

3.) 

EVERYDAY SEXISM - a project that is intended for widespread of feminism, particularly by hosting a website where anyone can post stories of their experiences as a victim to being harassed, discriminated, prejudice, etc, as a woman.

HeForShe - a campaign that was founded and led by celebrity Emma Watson. HeForShe is also a unique campaign in it's own way, given that it encourages BOTH men and women to partake in the act of feminism. 

FCKH8 CAMPAIGN - this campaign is a for-profit company that merges the issue of feminism and it's clothing line that sells for the endorsing of feminism itself.

THIS GIRL CAN - a campaign as described on their website "This Girl Can is a celebration of active women who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it, how they look or even how red their face gets. Developed by Sport England, we want to help women overcome the fear of judgement that is stopping too many women and girls from joining in."

4.) 

I think the new and digital media merged with feminism is a great duo to bring more light into the issue. I think it perhaps might be an alternative to passive protesters that may feel intimidated by the idea of protesting. The convenience of the Internet having such a large scale, pandemic and a global presence also increases awareness on feminism. 

newspapers welcome more digital subscribers in time of fake news

https://www.ft.com/content/d97bef40-f19b-11e6-8758-6876151821a6

"Newspapers welcome more digital subscribers in time of fake news"

As the article states, as print's fortunes continue to decline, prominent publishers such as the New York Times are increasingly relying on their digital future. Apart from news such as Brexit and the presidential elections, print news has no further rise in sales. Just six weeks into the new year, the news cycle shows no signs of slowing. In the US, at least, this “heightened interest” will probably last as long as the White House “continues to be creating news and controversy”, says Mark Thompson, chief executive of the New York Times. The NYT alone added a record 267,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter, most of them after Mr Trump was elected. Mr Thompson used the gains to hit back at the president’s claims that the newspaper is “failing” and is a purveyor of “fake news”.

Police encourage responsible use of social media

http://antiguaobserver.com/police-encourage-responsible-use-of-social-media/

"Police encourage responsible use of social media"

As the article states, the police are urging residents to be responsible when posting on social media, especially when the information has not been confirmed. This response from the police came after relatives and friends of Glenmore Hughes, who was injured was posted "rest in peace" on his Facebook status. Hughes, the 47-year-old resident of Sea View Farm had an altercation with a family friend who reportedly slapped him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the road. However, he is still not given a definitive state on whether he is actually dead or not, just that some of his body parts are unresponsive.

This responsibility on social media is a demonstration of the echo chamber and to some extents, fake news. Fake news in the sense that incorrect or mistaken information is being put out on the internet without definitive approval. 

Identities: Feminist theory and blog task

Identities: Feminist theory and blog task

1.) 
Judith Butler's idea of a 'gender performance' highlights that men and women are not biologically determined and are instead influenced by other things. In this case, Beyonce's music video above, the performance here is that even though there is a representation of a woman and her stereotypical duties of cooking and cleaning, there are still clips of her smoking, which would be a social factor and is not a very 'feminine' trait to have.

2.)
Angela McRobbie is known for exploring the empowering of women and teenage girls in the 80's and 90's. As a result, yes Beyonce would be viewed as an empowering woman figure by McRobbie as the video presents her to be comfortable in her own skin and having no 'peer pressured' and set look by society on how a woman should be.

3.)
The traditional 'male gaze' is being demonstrated here in the video, given Beyonce is dressed in a very sexually appealing way, such as in a lingerie, hot pants, etc. As a result, yes this does enforce the view given that woman are seen to be objects for sexual pleasure. In another interpretation however, this also gives off the idea that woman should be comfortable in their own skin as a female regardless of what society ought them to be. An example of this is when Beyonce is smoking - this is a very 'unfeminine' thing to do. 

WWW:

• There's the basis for a very good essay with a fascinating debate regarding the media's role in creating Islamophobia. With a few specific changes/additions, I'm confident you can move this up two grades.

EBI:

• Written English is poor... just not good enough for A2 standard. Did you proofread this? Pay particular attention to topic sentences - keep them short + very clear.
• You need to learn to introduce quotes: crucial skill
• You are lacking research for the top levels: 18 footnotes is half the number you need and 14 entries entries to your bibliography in total is frankly poor.
• Similarly, your referencing is consistently incorrect. It's vital you learn to create accurate bibliography entries then footnote correctly. You also have several quotes/stats not footnoted.
• You are lacking detailed textual analysis. This essay doesn't showcase your media analysis skills.
• The final section on newspaper articles is poor - it doesn't seem to have any link to Hollywood or the rest of the essay. I would consider removing it and instead seriously try improving/developing the previous section on academic research. 

Identities and the Media: Feminism

Identities and the Media: Feminism

Media Magazine reading

1.) ...

2.) The two texts the article focuses on are:

Pan Am - an American drama series that comes in the style of the 1960's, and features pilots and stewardesses. 

Beyonce's "Why Don't You Love Me" music video that is presented in the style of a much later 1950's. 

3.) Mulvey introduces us with the term 'male gaze'. The demonstration of this is in Beyonce's Why Don't You Love Me music video for example, where Beyonce is presented in an outfit that is large in sexual appeal in almost throughout the entire video. 

4.) 

5.) Feminism - Women that demand equality for their own agenda, as to be on par with males on a social, economical, and political level.

Patriarchy - a discriminating and prejudice reason that puts men over women

Nostalgia - reminiscent of a time when the world ceased to move around you because you had it all

No More Page 3

1.) 'No More Page 3'  was a campaign was started by Lucy-Anne Holmes in August 2012, and is a campaign that aims to encourage combat against women being viewed simply as objects of sex and pleasure for men.

2.) The reasons for why NMP3 had to go was because of the topless pictures of women presented, therefore exploiting their sexuality as a woman. They were identified as offensive as a result.

3.) As the article states, Barbara Ellen thinks that the campaign shouldn't be dropped, whereas Susan Boniface says otherwise. Boniface from the opposition, claims that 

4.) One of the stories, "LITTLE MIXED UP ABOUT WHAT TO WEAR?" discusses the band 'Little Mix' to be wearing very revealing attires for their performance on ITV LIVE. Obviously, the article stated that this was an inappropriate choice as a result, to which I think is not surprising as females' exploitation is being used by Simon Cowell and ITV to purposely gain attraction and generate views.

5.) NMP3 could be linked to post-feminism as NMP3 argues that there is no post-feminist state, therefore continuing the debate of feminism. The campaign as a result brings light to the issues and that it shouldn't be left forgotten.

6.) I respect the awareness a campaign like No More Page 3 has intended to raise, therefore I would support and agree with the views that they're presenting on their website and social medias, however in my subjective opinion I don't think it will have as much as an influence as it ought to.

7.) I believe that we're not living in a post-feminist state, given that there are still academically praised lecturers such as Milo Yiannopoulos that have to wipe the floor against radical feminists, not feminists who have plausible arguments which have to be made a distinction against between the two. Judging by statistics and from an objective point of view, there is still inequality too in for example, the pay a woman and a man gets.

Should I Subscribe To A Newspaper? Supporting The Media Is One Way To Challenge The Status Quo

https://www.bustle.com/articles/195260-should-i-subscribe-to-a-newspaper-supporting-the-media-is-one-way-to-challenge-the-status

Should I Subscribe To A Newspaper? Supporting The Media Is One Way To Challenge The Status Quo

As the article simply states, print journalism "badly" needs support. Given print journalism outlets like the New York Times (with subscriptions as low as $3.75 per week, with a discount in your first month) and the Washington Post (with subscriptions as low as $9.99 per month, with a discount in your first month), as well as countless local and regional newspapers, the demand for revenue in the print industry is not surprising. As a result the article strongly suggests directly to the reader that "So, if you've got the money and the ability, don't sit on the sidelines on this one. It's time to get involved, whether in a big, active way, or through simple means of financial support."

• New York Times with print subscriptions of $3.75 weekly
• Washington post with print subscriptions of $9.99 monthly
• USA Today $25 every three months, or $8.33 monthly

Obviously the article is fully about supporting the print industry and it's demand and cry for help to maintain it's position in the market. However, it is undoubtedly true that the online world is taking competition in the lead by a storm, leaving print news obsolete. Perhaps their only hope is to be surprised by a miracle.

NYT report show newspaper remaining confident in digital subscription strategy, even as financial results go wanting

http://www.talkingnewmedia.com/2017/01/17/nyt-report-show-newspaper-remaining-confident-in-digital-subscription-strategy-even-as-financial-results-go-wanting/

NYT report show newspaper remaining confident in digital subscription strategy, even as financial results go wanting

As the article states, there was a report conducted, and it shows the competition between revenue derived of consumer and advertising. While total revenue stood at around $1.8 billion a decade ago, it now is closer to $1.4 billion. In order to aid this, the authors push the theme that its news needs to continue to become more visual, something readers have appreciated over the past few years. According to the report’s authors, 12.1 percent of all articles now contain visual elements, but the paper needs to do better. The report also urges the use of “more digitally native mix of journalistic forms.” 

• $1.8 billion a decade ago
• now is closer to $1.4 billion. 
• 12.1 percent of all articles now contain visual elements
• NYT report is attempting to invest $5 million in their coverage

 The main aim here is to obviously improve the quality of journalism and it's presentation in newspapers instead of trying to generate revenue, which is why NYT quote that "Our incentives point us toward journalistic excellence.". However, it is uncertain that the generated revenue will be enough to sustain it's continuation in the way that it is going now. A drop of $400 million in a decade is obviously a big deal - just about a fourth or quarter of a drop. 

Post-colonialism: final blog tasks

Post-colonialism: final blog tasks

1.) Alvarado - talks about the specific representations of the black community, divided into - 'pitied', 'humorous', 'dangerous', and 'exotic'.

Fanon - talks about the derogatory side that categorises the black community, such as primitivilizes, infantilizes, essentializes, and dehumanizes. 

Said - talks about the division between The West and The East.

2.) 

Right from the beginning, we see a derogatory insult spray painted "Paki" on the outside of a garage where followers of Islam would come to chant and say their prayers. Of course this is a demonstration of the clashing between the east and the west, as Edward Said mentions quite frequently. Then there is Yasmin who removes her religious attire and dresses casual before going out, and this just signifies how much even the way in how the Muslim community looks can be discriminated and be victim to prejudicism. 

3.) Alvarado - 

According to Alvarado, the representation here could be exotic as there are expensive jewellery, venues, and expensive drugs involved. 

According to Alvarado, the representation here could be dangerous, given that the video includes Mac-10's, AK-47's, USP-45's, etc, weapons that connote anti-social behaviour. 

According to Alavarado, the representaton here is humorous, given there are compilations of "funny black people" scattered around YouTube.

Fanon - 

Essentializes the young teenagers of Britain for being involved in the London Riots 2011, even though they weren't involved.

Controversially seen to be a racist KFC advert, the black community is seen to stereotypically be at frenzy when they see fried chicken, and as a result dehumanizes them.

Primitivilizes the black community as they're stereotypically known to have a strong prowess in sports.

Said - 

Not specifically this scene, but in general, United-93 is a predominant demonstration of the west and east's feud with each other. The identification of the hijackers speaking in presumably Arabic language puts it's name in bad light.

Citizen Khan is a perfect example of the merging between the east and the west. 

post-colonialism: bonus and reading blog tasks

Post-colonialism: bonus and reading blog tasks

MM58: Social Media and Black Identity

1.) 3 theorists discussed in the article are:

• Aisha Harris
• Giddens
• Henry Jenkins

2.) Social media can have a positive impact on black identity in the sense that it brings light to the issues and situations revolved around it, therefore makes it not go unnoticed. However, it can also be negative because it may attract a lot of negative attention from conflicting ideas from those foreign to black identities. As a result of all this, #BlackLivesMatter was derived for example. 

3.) We could apply Alvarado's presentation of the racial stereotypes that consist of the categories: Pitied, Humorous, Dangerous, and Exotic, as for example we could categorize a black male to be dangerous as they stereotypically have connotations of gangs.

A Hustle for Life: Refugees in the Media

1.) According to the article, there are negative representations being created about refugees, such as a "dangerous and threatening mass". They're also being generalized and essentialized a lot (Frantz Fanon), as stated by the article because they're seen to be a "nameless mass of refugees". 

2.) I would think that a documentary genre would be less biased as it is a presentation of realism, therefore there is no subjectivity that twists stories and meanings of a situation, and is instead presenting what is purely happening. News media on the other hand would perhaps alter and change stories to support their own agenda in order to manipulate the audience mass.

3.) As Alvarado states, there are key themes in the representations of the black community, however obviously it can be applied to those other than said:

 Exotic (models; music artists; food)

Dangerous (crime; gangs; socially dysfunctional)

Humorous (comedians; sidekicks; quirky)

Pitied (poverty)

In this case, refugees can be pitied as they're seen helpless in their situation, maybe dangerous too if seen from a xenophobic perspective where illegal immigrants are seen to be threats in the sense that they "come into our country and take our jobs" kind of perspective.