Media Hegemonies

Media is a large part of society today. Whenever we go outside, we see millions of media all around us. They are in people's clothing and haircuts, billboards, newspapers and magazines, in television, movies, and music. There are certain media owners within our society that have a hegemony over the others, or a dominance in other words. NBC National is one of these media hegemonies.

NBC Universal is known throughout the world as one of the leading media and entertainment companies. They development, market and distribute news and information to the masses. NBC has been around for a while, but NBC Universal has only been around since May 2004 (all information taken from http://www.nbcuni.com/About_NBC_Universal/Company_Overview/). In May 2004, NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment joined forces, and created NBC Universal. With this cross-media ownership, NBC own 80% of the company, and Vivendi Universal Entertainment owns 20%. With this ownership, NBC Universal was able to expand and enter into many different types of entertainment. NBC Universal airs television dramas, comedies, reality TV shows, Late Night and Daytime television, and even shows geared towards children. For over 75 years, NBC has been involved in the deliverance of the news. With the combination with Vivendi, NBC Universal has been able to reach out to a larger audience and expand their television involvement. NBC National also shows many different sporting events each day, and even seasonal sports, like the Olympics.

There are also a few websites under the control of NBC Universal, like www.nbcni.com, www.nbc.com, and www.nbcsports.com. With the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, the world has had access to several different television, radio, and internet, and other entertainment sources that are under the jurisdiction of this company.

However, it is questionable as to whether or not the cross-ownership of this media is a good thing. There have been some disputes about this over the years. People wish to see a diversity in who owns what media within the world, as there are many companies, like NBC Universal, that own all three types of media outlets (television, radio, newspaper). With cross-media ownership, there are many companies that own all three forms of media, and this can jeopardize the diversity of the media in the world today.

Also, with cross-media ownership, it is possible for two main distributors of a media form could merge together to form one, which would create zero possibilities of difference, and take away any choice the person would have, as there would really only be one option.

This is what people are afraid of, and it is rightfully so. If companies keep merging to form one, there will be a large lack of choice in the media we have to chose. It looks as though there would be one company control each media outlet, and that would be your choice. I think cross-media ownership should be discouraged as it will completely take away all choice people will have in choosing their providers.

Not required, the dangers of media

So this is a post that I have chosen to do on my own time, despite the fact that i'm not caught up with my usual ones...

I live in a small town called Stroud, and its about 5 minutes south of Barrie. In Barrie Thanksgiving Monday, a little boy named Brandon Crisp went missing. He was looked for for almost 3 weeks, until some hunters came across his body in some woods in Oro Medonte. This boy was 15, and he died for a very disturbing reason. He ran away from home on Thanksgiving Monday because his parents took away his xbox 360. Brandon was an avid player of Call of Duty, and his parents were seeing it affect his school work. So he ran away from home. His parents thought nothing of it, assuming he would be back in the morning and would just go to a friends house. However, Brandon climbed a tree that night to get out of the snow, and fell out, crushing his ribcage and dying instantly.

This disturbs me for a few reasons. One, the boy was only 15, and someone should not die that young. But what disturbs me most is the circumstances surrounding this boys death. He died because his video games were taken away. That is what is happening in todays ever changing and advancing world. People are becoming addicted to their certain technologies to the point where they make stupid decisions if for some reason they can't be involved with this technology. Fifty years ago none of this was a problem. Technology was just becoming accessible. And I bet that the people involved with the creation of any of the major technologies never thought their technologies would cause ddeath, insanity, or anything of the sort.

But the fact is that people become absorbed in their technologies, it starts to take over their lives. We're all guilty of it, I for one can't go 10 minutes without looking at my phone. And I have to check my Facebook once a day at least. However, when these things aren't accessible to me, I'm fine with it.

It just scares me that there are people out there who can be so over-taken by one form of technology that it could lead to tragedies like Brandon's.

News Propaganda

When I hear the word propaganda, my mind first goes to my years of history classes, and the many examples of war propaganda I was shown. When I automatically think about war propaganda, I start to realize that today there is propaganda around us everywhere we go. There are still people out there who are trying to persuade the masses to behave a certain way or to think a certain way.

Propaganda is defined as influencing the opinions or behaviours of large numbers of people (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda). Another term used for propaganda is "perception management"; the process of transforming public opinion to conform to a premeditated political agenda (http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5058). This is what has always been understood: we see advertisements or articles that are put somewhere by companies or organizations in hopes of persuading the masses to buy their product or take their side.
Governments today use propaganda, it is just not as harsh or as obvious as the propaganda that was used during the First and Second World Wars. They use propaganda to persuade the public to believe what they believe and to support what they wish to accomplish. Politicians use propaganda throughout elections to enhance the public opinion of themselves and to increase the number of supporters they have. Also, propaganda is used by today's politicians to tarnish the public's perception of their opponents.

I feel that the biggest people that are putting propaganda out into the public today are the people of public relations. People within the PR business are hired by companies and corporations to boost the reputation and image of said companies or corporations. A person in PR takes the positive attributes of the company they are representing and releases them in a positive advertisement or article to the general public to enhance the company's image. PR people present facts selectively, so they are not technically lying to the public, they are just omitting facts that may not act in a postive way for the company they are representing.

Although the news put out as propaganda isn't false, the information may not be all there. The full picture is not being portrayed, therefore the full story is not being seen. Propaganda is used to enhance the image or reputation of a product, company or corporation. This means that only the good will be shown, and it will be up to the audience to discover the truth about the product. Propaganda only implies the good qualities of the product or company involved; the bad is hidden as to keep the reputation of the company or product in high standards.

Overall, propaganda is not bad; it is not something that should be avoided, because honestly that would prove difficult. However, the audience needs to be aware that what they are reading or seeing may not be the full picture, and that further research could show the other side of the product or company that is not included in their propaganda advertisement.

Social Uses

I can honestly say that I spend far too much time on my computer and my cell phone. Far too much. Each keep me in touch with the friends that I have moved away from, and with the new ones that I have made in my time here at school.

Without my computer, I would be completely oblivious to the people and the world around me. I use my computer as a means of communication with friends and family, I use it during my classes to take notes, I use it to research for upcoming tests and papers, and I use it to find out what is going on in the world.

My computer has become a major part of my daily routine, and I am not ashamed to say so. I wake up in the morning, I walk over to my desk, and I turn on my computer. That way, I can go brush my teeth and such, and by the time I walk back into my room, my computer is running, my msn has opened, and I am able to see how many new emails I have. I check my emails, I check my Facebook, I say good morning to my Dad over msn, and then I grab some breakfast and cruise news sites. I look at the Toronto Sun's headlines for the day, and read any stories that catch my eye, I look at BBC's website and do the same thing... Then I cruise over to Yahoo and Sports Illustrated and get my latest sport's scores and updates.

My computer has reformed my daily routine. I can no longer go a day without being on my computer; whether I'm doing homework (less likely) or chatting with my friends over Facebook and MSN (most likely). I feel no shame about the fact that my life has been mediated, because I know that I am FAR from alone. There are people out there just like me, a lot more than most people realize.

My name is Laura, and my life has been impacted by technology and media. And I'm neither alone or upset. =)

Theory/Praxis

Ideology, by definition is the body of doctrine, myth, belief, etc. that guides an individual, social movement, institution, class or large group (dictionary.com). This, to me, can be directly related to the media!

Media is what brings the masses together. Whether we like it or not, everyone in almost every place, everyday is affected by the media. Everyone has a form of media that they seem to not be able to live without.

There have been many media ideologies that have, over the years, drawn in a large following. One of the most obvious being the television: when the television first came about, everyone wanted to get their hands on one. The television was this new, never before seen form of media. Something that could keep you updated on local news, something that could let you watch your favourite shows. Also, people with televisions were seen as being wealthier than others. This media ideology had a large following at the time of its appearance, and it still has a large today.

Another, more recent, media ideology that has come about is Facebook. Let's face it, almost everyone you talk to has heard of Facebook, and has a Facebook account. This social networking service has become a major hit with the masses. People can talk instantly, post pictures, and keep in touch with those people who have drifted away from them. I know a ton of people who go on Facebook once a day; I myself seem to always be on it.

There are many media ideologies that effect the lives of people everyday. I am a major follower of the media, and I'm not afraid to admit that I always will be.

Advertisement Analysis

The advertisement that I chose to analyze is the commercial for stupid.ca, where the kids put an advertisement over the side of a working complex that states that "everyday in Ontario, 36 people die from smoking. at that rate, this building would be empty in 33 days".
This advertisement, along with all the other advertisements from stupid.ca, really have a purpose for me. I like the fact that the people who are always seen setting up these images of smoking facts are teenagers, as teenagers are seen to be the age group most influenced to smoke. The stupid.ca commercials always relay some message as to why smoking is bad, why is should be stopped, how people can stop it. These commercials have a purpose to me, because they are relaying a positive, educational message, as opposed to some of the commercials that are on television today, which are only on there strictly for the monumental gain of the company or corporation they represent.
The stupid.ca commercials are educational, and they have an impact on the society of today. Even if people choose not to stop smoking after seeing the commercials, their conscience is a little guiltier after seeing them, because they now have on more tidbit of information on how they are poisoning themselves and society.
The commercials are always acted out within a highly populated area, such as a city or a mall. This helps the message spread to a maximum amount of people. The activities are also always recorded by those involved in the activities, so that the message can be sent across the airwaves via television and reach millions more people and relay its message.
I chose to analyze the stupid.ca commercials because to me they are commercials that are worth watching, because they are for a good cause and for the benefit of the greater good. They are not to advertise for any companies, they are not for self gain. They are put across the airwaves solely to benefit the people of the world, and to reduce the amount of people in Ontario dying from smoke related diseases everyday.

Mass Media

To me, the term mass media is a means of communicating to the masses. To reaching numerous amounts of people using various forms of media. To me, mass media is used effectively in our everyday society. People are communicating to each other in numerous ways, and all of these are engaging our society and aiding in its growth.
Mass media is a useful tool within our society. With the use of mass media, people can communicate their ideas to the masses as ease, whether its through email, the television, or even just in the way they express themselves with their appearance. People today are accepting the idea of media and embracing it to express their individuality.
Mass media should not be repelled; should not be hated. It should be loved, and people should really start to see how useful the media is to them, and that whether they like it or not, their lives will always be touched by the media in some way.