Enter World: exploring mediated cultures

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Tonight I presented research comparing independent media agendas and corporate media agendas to a group at Fielding’s Summer Session.

Based on research comparing the media agendas in online independent and corporate news sources, I discussed social and ethical implications of media agendas. I was specifically interested in discovering whether the independent media source provided an alternative agenda to that of corporate media. Following the first phase of agenda setting research, the research was based on public issues to categorize headlines and compared three sources from Portland, OR.

Abstract:
The following paper presents an analysis of research conducted in early 2007 comparing the media agendas in online independent and corporate news sources. Following the first phase of agenda setting research, the author uses public issues to categorize headlines from the sources. Comparison of the issues covered by each source revealed statistically significant differences between the two corporate media agendas but no statistically significant difference between the independent source and either corporate source’s media agenda. The nature of and potential for independent media are discussed in relation to these findings.

Friday, April 06, 2007

JWF_PSY769_MediaSynergy_WEB.pdf

Preface

The goal of this paper is to establish Michael Moore as a force in the media who is able to use media synergy in a way typically seen in use by major media conglomerates. After establishing this, we can begin to analyze effects of crossing media formats and styles on audience interest and processing. To begin this analysis of media synergy, we need to establish how Moore is involved with media creation and promotion. Section I: Michael Moore and Media reviews Moore’s early and varied media experiences. His experiences, as well as responses to some situations, are important to understanding points made later in the paper. As we explore the implications of Moore’s media involvement it becomes clear that past experiences build toward his identity formation, integration of entertainment and information, and understanding of media promotion. Section I establishes Moore’s background in relation to media and media synergy.

Sections II and III detail the making and promotion of Moore’s two top-grossing documentary films, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11. These sections explore the culmination of Moore’s media awareness and experience as well as his growth between the two films. It is also in these sections that we begin to explore how Moore interwove entertainment styles with the documentary format and how this might affect audience interpretation of his films.

Section IV: Promotion, Controversy and Media constructs a comparison of Moore’s on- and off-screen tactics to draw coverage to himself and his documentary films, leading into Section V: Media Synergy and Michael Moore. Having established Moore’s media background and successes, we are now able to begin exploring the connections between Moore and media synergy. This section expands upon the meaning of media synergy, how Moore aims for synergy in promotion and creation of his products, and addresses trends in media consumption.

Section VI: A Progressing Relationship Between Entertainment and Information takes the links of media synergy beyond the creation and promotion of media content and into an investigation of changing ideals in the media sphere. Using Moore’s documentary films as an example of the crossover between entertainment and information, we look more closely at various methods used to draw viewer attention. Finally, the paper concludes with Section VII: Implications for Media Psychology and Future Research.

Monday, February 12, 2007

It’s been a while since I wrote anything here. I was on vacation for a couple weeks, but that doesn’t excuse the two month lapse. I did post a paper in December, but am now reworking parts of it so it’s down for the moment.

Things that have been progressing: I’ve signed on as the associate editor for an APA newsletter. Started on my last two classes for the PhD requirements. I’m excited. Decided to sell the house and move to the Lower 48 for a reintroduction to the outside world. I’ll probably take this summer off from classes to fascilitate the move. And to make sure I get another burst of enthusiasm before diving into my dissertation. Before then I need to finish up the comprehensives.

but ... back to work. someone’s got to pay for all this education.

Monday, August 28, 2006

An article in the Boston Globe yesterday about changes in marketing techniques due to changes in media reminded me once again of product endorsement in textbooks. I was not able to find any articles or research on that when I looked last, it might be time to search again. It’s pretty common knowledge that the products in major motion pictures were sold those spots, it’s even been the target of comedy in movies. However, in this world obsessed with protecting the child—why is no one concerned with the statistics textbook that talks about Camel cigarettes in its word problems?

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Back in March of 2005 I wrote about the mass media’s emphasis on male bloggers in Who’s afraid of the white male blogger?. Today I ran across a Pew study that backs up my assumptions that the blogospehere is not male dominated.

This excerpt from WIMN’s Voices sums it up rather well:

Listen up, corporate journos: time to stop reporting on all those “here’s a photo of me on a picnic with my pet fluffy and a Photoshopped Lindsey Lohan” stories about bloggers. There’s a more socially relevant story to be told. A small but growing (blog readership and blog ownership have increased dramatically in recent years, Pew shows) army of young, racially diverse, fact-checking bloggers - half of whom are women, and a nearly a third of whom are politically motivated - are engaging the public debate every day.

This Pew study doesn’t only shed light on the demographics of the blogosphere - it raises some very basic questions about the demographics of sources quoted in corporate news reports about blogs. If bloggers are approximately 50% female and are racially diverse, why are white men still the majority of bloggers quoted and discussed in print and broadcast reports about blogs (that is, reports not focused on porn, or on predatory threats to girls with MySpace accounts)?

Sunday, June 25, 2006

I’ve been working on converting the media literacy project I completed last year to this new site format. It’s now up at thefremlin / medialit.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Media Sustainability Index 2005

My first reaction to the Media Sustainability Index that I received in the mail from Fielding was eagerness to delve into it and excitement that such a thing existed. Reading through the executive summary had me wishing to be a part of the project in some way, but I also began to question some points. For example, while the study centers on indendent media, I could not locate a working definition of independent and/or independent media. The closest I came to unearthing such a definition is in the final sentence of the exectuvie summary:

… a robust media system that promotes governmental transparency and accountability and brings citizens the information they need and deserve.

Still, my questions were minimal compared to the excitement at apparent growing independent media sustainability in eastern europe and the evidence to follow in country-specific chapters. Until I read the methodology.

When I envision independent media, I think of indymedia.org, grassroots groups, blogs, ‘zines, and in-depth reporting overlooked and under-funded by mainstream, corporate media. These groups are revolutionizing the U.S. media.

Unfortunately, the objectives and indicators included in this study seem to base healthy journalism on steroetypical and out-dated U.S. paradigms. Systems that are being challenged by academics and the masses. Systems that are leading to new definitions of journalism and experimentation by major universities in attempts discover how to research, present and distribute information in this age where trust (of journalists) is waning and information is always available.

Why hold emerging media to flawed visions when they have the potential to show us new opportunities?

My main complaint about the criteria used in the study are the Business Management Indicators. These require that media be profit-generating businesses, use advertising, and use market research to “enhance advertising revenue"… What about media supported by audiences? Media that refuse to play by the rules of advertisers as well as government? This is an especially important question when taking into account the concern by MSI panelists in various countries about “commercialization.”

With domestic and foreign investors seeking solid returns on their capital, many criticize media for seeking the lowest common denominator as they peddle scandal, entertainment, and gossip at the expense of news and public affairs.

Objective 1 covers free speech. In light of the concentration on corporate/for-profit media, a new concern arises. The summary for this section is that “legal and social norms protect and promote free speech and access to public information.” While this in and of itself is a positive objective, leaving out the possibility of corporate control of speech when business has such a prominent place in the objectives and indicators leaves a large gap in judgement. For an example of this, look to Fox News’ suffocation of the bovine growth hormone newscast in Florida (due to an advertiser complaint) that led to the termination of employment for the two reporters involved as well as suppression of the information.

Simply having multiple, non-state media outlets does not guarantee free speech nor variety of content.