NDM News: Globalisation

1) Is our news influenced by American cultural imperialism? What examples can you think of?

Our news is influenced by American cultural imperialism because we are constantly hearing about America and their culture in the news. The current US media domination amounts to cultural imperialism because it forces US culture on us through our media consumption. For example, when it comes to elite nations and elections for the next president, the British news make sure that it is one of the main news stories. Celebrities are also a key news story in the British news such as Kim Kardashian. Any thing that Americans seem to consider as celebrity news, it will be covered in the news in most countries. Natural disasters is also another big news story that we would hear about if anything happened in America. Even though other countries have natural disasters, we are not notified about it as much due to familiarity. However, since America is one of the most powerful countries in the world, and is ruled by elite people, their cultural imperialism has a big influence on our news.

 

 2) Has the increased globalisation of news improved the audience experience? How? Why?

The increased globalisation of news as improved the audiences experience as people can now gain much more information then before on the internet. There is also a sense in immediacy in the news now due to globalisation as people can hear as well as watch news as it arises. As we live in a "global village" (McLuhan) we can view events live as they happen and many people around the world can share the same moment. For example, with the Paris attacks, people were able to watch footage of what was happening that same night. However, it can be said that we've been "dumbed down" (Keen) due to the increased globalisation of news because the media reflect and create the social and cultural world we live in because the media producers construct our views of all these global events and therefore construct our values and ideologies.

 3) Has globalisation benefited or damaged major news institutions? How? Why?

Globalisation benefits the main providers of news. Due to globalisation, major news institutions, such as AOL Time Warner and Vivendi Universal, are able to reach increasing audiences and expand globally to become global players. The largest media organisations are supplying progressively more of the media we consume. This, however, effects the small local institutions as they have less power. Global brands will have more influence and often pushes home-grown media organisations out of business and replacing them.

(24) YouTube Kids: campaigners criticise app for its 'junk food' videos

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/25/youtube-kids-campaigners-attack-junk-food

 

 

Summary:

US groups found promotional videos for Coca-Cola, Oreos and other products in children’s app, and want regulators to investigate. The YouTube Kids app is supposed to make watching YouTube videos a more child-friendly experience, but two US campaigning groups claim that it is not filtering out promotional videos for “junk food”. Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC) and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) have filed new complaints with regulator the Federal Trade Commission, following objections lodged in April when YouTube Kids launched in the US. The groups claim to have found promotional videos for products from 17 food and drinks manufacturers, including 47 TV ads and 11 longer videos for Coke and Coke Zero; as well as 31 ads and 21 promotional placements for biscuit brand Oreos. Their complaints note that both companies have promised not to market their products to children, and call for the FTC to investigate the 17 companies alongside YouTube.

Key data/statistical information:

• 47 TV ads and 11 longer videos for Coke and Coke Zero
• 31 ads and 21 promotional placements for biscuit brand Oreos
• It cites the example of a video published by the popular EvanTubeHD channel where its young stars – who have more than 2.2 million subscribers on YouTube – taste 12 varieties of Oreo biscuits while blindfolded, and try to guess their flavours.

What's my view?

I think that such companies like Oreo's are trying to promote their business through youtube and their prime target is young children who enjoy watching videos on YouTube. Since it has one of the most powerful social networking sites, businesses are trying to their audiences by promoting themselves on things such as YouTube.

(23) Mail Online US almost doubles advertising growth

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/25/mail-online-us-almost-doubles-advertising-revenues

Summary:

The popularity of Mail Online’s US site is starting to translate into meaningful revenue with advertising growth of more than 60% in the last eight weeks – almost double the rate it has seen over the last year. “The US is the standout story in terms of growth,” said Stephen Daintith, finance chief at DMGT. “Over the last year there has been a concerted effort to raise the trade profile, the ad agency profile, of Mail Online in the US. There has been lots of TV coverage, much more than we see in the UK, which has raised awareness among media agencies and in their [advertising] buying schedules. The [scale of] audience in the US is now starting to deliver the rewards we expected.” He added that initiatives such as a tie-up with Snapchat’s Discover service, which sees 10 stories carrying ads, and the development of e-commerce revenues have started to pay off.

Key data/statistical information:

• Mail Online derives 40% of its 212 million monthly unique users from US readers, more than view it in its home market in the UK, but to date the site’s scale has not been matched by the potential of advertising revenue generation.
• The US site experienced 38% year-on-year revenue growth in parent company DMGT’s financial year to the end of September, making about £18m in advertising for the period.
• In the first eight weeks of its new financial year, Mail Online US has seen advertising revenue surge by 64%.
• It is perhaps the growth surge of the US-site that leads Daintith to hang on to the possibility of making £100m in ad revenues by the end of September 2016.
• Mail Online missed its 2015 target of £80m, it made £73m in the year to the end of September, as year-on-year growth slowed from 41% to 18%.
• Mail Online derived about 66% of its £73m in total revenues from the UK in the year to the end of September, with 25% coming from the US and 9% the rest of the world.

What's my view?

I think that advertising is a kay part in making money and increasing popularity in todays new and digital media world. I find that it potentially be a unique way in which news can continue to thrive.

(22) Twitter raids Sky for new head of UK news

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/20/twitter-raids-sky-for-new-head-of-uk-news

Summary:

Sky News senior executive Rob Owers joins Twitter to lead UK news team and develop government and industry partnerships. Twitter has appointed Rob Owers, a former senior executive on Sky News’ digital operation and News At Ten bulletin, as its new UK head of news. “Throughout my career as a journalist I’ve seen how Twitter has changed the conversation around news and sparked new ways for people to engage with the stories and events which really matter to them,” said Owers.

Key data/statistical information:

• Owers was Sky News output editor, also responsible for live online coverage of the general election results

• His earlier roles at Sky included building the team that launched Sky News’ iPad app, executive producer of Sky News Digital and editorial lead for News at Ten.

What's my view?

I find that this shows how pluralism is slowly coming into the lime light as twitter was able to appoint Rob Owers as a former senior exectuive. This suggests that social media is slowly allowing the audience to take some sort of power in making decisions within the news industry. 

(21) Two-thirds of Britons will own a smartphone by 2018, research finds

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/23/two-thirds-of-britons-will-own-a-smartphone-by-2018-research-finds

Summary:

Tablet use is also on the rise with half the country’s population expected to own one before New Year as density of mobile devices hit an all time high. By 2018 two-thirds of Britons will own a smartphone and be an avid tablet user, according to new research.“The rapid spread of mobile technology is transforming media consumption and marketing communications across the world,” said Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at ZenithOptimedia. “For more and more people, their smartphone or tablet is the first place they look for information or entertainment. Marketers need a mobile-first approach to communicate with these people effectively.”

Key data/statistical information:

• The report found that by the end of this year 51% of Britons will own a tablet, up from just 3.5% just five years ago, which ranks the UK the seventh highest in the world.

• By 2018, 65% of Britons will own or have regular access to a tablet device, which will rank sixth behind Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland.

• The rise of the tablet is mirrored in the smartphone world with 55% of the UK population expected to own one by the end of this year, rising to 69% by 2018.

• The report also found that by 2018 the number of internet users across the 47 countries it monitors globally will break the 2 billion barrier for the first time.

• ZenithOptimedia reckons that its 47 country survey covers 60% of all internet users across the world. However, the rate of growth in internet uptake is slowing from 7.9% in 2011 to 3.9% this year and 2.5% in 2018.

What's my view?

I find that we are in the era of technology and it seems to be evolving each and everyday. Although I don't think its a good thing that everyone, including children, will be involved with phones and ipads by the end of the year, I do think we need to keep up with technology so that we can have a firm control of it.

Marxism & Pluralism: Alain de Botton on the news

1) To what extent do you agree with Alain de Botton's views on the News?

I agree with Alain de Botton's view on the News to a certain extent because he makes a few valid points. The news is in fact the most powerful force out there and we only seem to concentrate on news that is put into some sort of disastrous imagery. The news "parachutes us to disastrous places" as we are familiar with the area around us. The news only shows us what they view as priorities and, in a way, has replaced the role of religion, as it guides people now. Recently, people feel helpless and manipulated by the news. Some news content is biased and due to the level o negativity thrown at us, people flee to the government and view them as a refuge. The news always sends a moral panic (Cohen). However, I do not 100% agree with the point that we are not told to decode the news as people do analyse the news and news articles. We may not analyse it to an extent to find out where the information is from etc. but we do analyse news to search out the purpose of the news industry and whether or not certain news stories are biased or edited by gatekeepers/elite people.

 2) How can you link Marxism and Hegemony to de Botton's criticisms of the News?

Marxism and hegemony can clearly be linked to de Botton's criticism of the News as Marxism view capitalist society as being one of class domination and that the media are seen to promote hegemonic ideology and ensure the dominance of certain classes as de Botton argues that the elite people drown us with news in order for us to accept the status quo. The news controls and guides people's lives now without knowing it and this is what a Marxist would argue that we enjoy the illusion of autonomy and socialise into and internalise the norms of the dominant culture. Despite the fact we feel as if we have freedom, in reality we are suffering from false consciousness.

 3) How could you use Pluralism and new technology to challenge de Botton's views on the News?

A pluralist sees the control of media in the hands o an autonomous managerial elite who allow a considerable degree of flexibility to media professionals. Therefore, a pluralist could challenge de Botton's view by saying that we get to choose what news we want to consume. We have the option of either watching the news offered to us or producing our own news through citizen journalism. Pluralism goes against the hyperdermic needle model which is what de Botton seems to be explaining.

4) Choose two news stories from the last six months - one that supports de Botton's views and one that challenges his belief that the News is used for social control.

SUPPORTS: Why the future of newspapers is not all doom and gloom/ Female technology journalists report abuse is still the name of the game

CHALLANGES: Sun website to scrap paywall

Marxism and Pluralism essay

The development of new/digital media means the audience is more powerful in terms of consumption and production. Discuss the arguments for and against this view.

Recently, there has been a sudden up rise in the developments of new/digital media which has started to affect the way in which the audience responds to the media. Two different views has been suggested against the view that the developments is making the audience more powerful in terms of consumption and production. A Marxist and pluralist view is presented.

A Marxist perspective would argue that the so-called "information revolution" has done little to benefit audiences or to subvert the established power structures in society. Far from being a “great leveller” (Krotoski, 2012) as many have claimed, it has merely helped to reinforce the status quo by promoting dominant ideologies. The most popular news website in the UK by a considerable margin is the ‘Mail Online’, which receives more than 8 million hits every month and is continuing to expand rapidly – with forecasts that it will make £100 million or more in digital revenues in the next three years. Similar to its tabloid print edition, the website takes a Conservative, right-wing perspective on key issues around gender, sexuality and race and audiences appear to passively accept what the Marxist theorist, Gramsci, called a hegemonic view. When one of their chief columnists, Jan Moir, wrote a homophobic article about the death of Stephen Gately in 2009 there were Twitter and Facebook protests but, ultimately, they did not change the editorial direction of the gatekeepers controlling the newspaper.

In a pluralist view, the development of new and digital media means the audience is more powerful especially in terms of consumption and production. Pluralists believe in an active audience who chose what media to consume and they don't have to swallow what the media feeds them. In a sense, they get to conform, accommodate or reject the media that they are shown. New and digital media has given the audience the possibility to do so much hence why it is described as "the most important medium of the twentieth century" (Briggs and Burke). In fact the audience is capable of manipulating the media and producing their opinions on-line. A good example of this is the Arab spring; the democratic uprising that arose independently & spread across the Arab world in 2011. The movement originated in Tunisia in December 2010 and quickly took hold in places such as Egypt and Libiya due to the effective use of social media to organize, communicate, and raise awareness in the face of state attempts at repression and Internet censorship. Facebook and Twitter were tools people in Egypt used to exchange information globally. The Facebook group helped organize over 100,000 people to protest on Egypt's police day, originally the Facebook page aimed for 50,000 people to protest. The protest overall led to political changes in the several countries, a change to a more democratic political regime. Therefore, the audience was able to cause democratization due to the powerful help of social media.

In contrast Marxists, argue that the audience have an illusion of autonomy and believe they have freedom when they are actually being told what to do. The audience suffer from false consciousness as it is the norm to indirectly follow the status quo. Keen suggests that "rebellion is encapsulated in the internet" as the news industry challenges and dares us to go against them. Since 1979, no government has been elected without the aid of Rupert Murdoch showing that we are influenced to vote what the media presents us. As Lin & Webster suggested in 2002 "Top 5% of all websites accounted for almost 75% of user volume" insisting that most of the audience go for the same media. It is also important to note that 50% of newspapers are controlled by Rupert Murdoch. He encouraged his viewpoint through the newspaper to "vote Cameron".

However, pluralists state that the control of the media is said to be in the hands of an autonomous managerial elite who allow a considerable degree of flexibility to media professionals. A basic symmetry is seen to exist between media institutions and their audiences. It is said that the new/digital media is allowing the "technological blossoming of the cultural of freedom, individual innovation and entrepreneurialism". (Castells, 1996) There are many ways in which the audience can express their opinions such as on-line blogs and forums. There is also an increase in civil journalism where most user generated content is shown on news. People around the world posted more than 100,000 stories on CNNiReport.com last year. Out of that, 10,789 were vetted for CNN, which means they were fact-checked and approved to be broadcast on CNN TV or featured on CNN.com. For the recent attack on Paris, most videos shown on the news were user generated content produces from the audience.

Marxists, on the other hand, believe that mass media are seen as a way of entertaining the workers while drip feeding them ideologies & beliefs. They create stereotypes and dominant ideologies through the media. "57% of 9-19 year-olds had come into contact with pornographic material online." (Tanya Bryon 2008) This can be taken as a feminist Marxist perspective as it reinforces the portrayal of sexualising women. This is why women are still treated differently in different cases. For instance, a newspaper article on the guardian named 'Female technology journalists report abuse is still the name of the game' explained how women hide their gender on-line and 62% said they had experienced sexist abuse, compared with 50% of female journalists who reported similar attacks to the Women’s Media Foundation. It can be therefore said that whatever we watch the media are seen to promote a hegemonic ideology.

A pluralist could argue that the elite people are no longer powerful as they once were which is digital disruption. Nogroponte stated in 1997 that "the monolithic empires of mass media are dissolving into an array of cottage industries," which can be related to the news industry of today. News industries have been suffering a lot lately due to the audience being more involved with new/ digital media. The Sun recently learned this when they realised the paywall that was set up was making things worse people didn't want to pay for news due to the free content they can receive on-line. The Guardian recently published an article titled 'Sun website to scrap paywall'. The article explained how The Sun is poised to make a major U-turn by scrapping its paywall and offering most of its website content for free. Since relaxing its paywall strategy the Sun has increased its average daily browser numbers to about 1 million. The audience was able to change The Sun's methods in a small amount of time. This is why Rupert Murdoch said "the internet has given readers much more power...The world is changing and newspapers have to adapt".

Another point that a Marxist would make is that the elite people control what the audience consume through censorship and through the use of gatekeepers. They only allow content that they view as acceptable to be shown to the audience. As Marxists view capitalist society as being one of class domination, they insist that the audience don't get much a say on the final decision. An example of this would be the Ian Tomlinson case where, despite having proof of what really happened, the police officer got away with it showing that the ruling class has the power over the audience even when facts and proof are being shown. They have the power to decide what is just and unjust and have the power to control situations like these. It is to note that the traditional, hegemonic view of the police in this case, and overall, would be that they are in control and should project their own way of seeing the world so that those who are controlled by it, the public, must accept what they say as the truth.

A pluralist would bring out the point of social networks and the benefits it provides to the audience which in fact makes the audience more aware of the censorship occurring. Due to social networking sites such as Twitter, the audience can receive news from other people who produce this through citizen journalism 24/7 and it would be news that hasn't been censored in certain areas through broadcasting news. Not only does it give the truth to the people but also helps the audience to be helpful to one another instead of relying on the police's help. Going back to the recent Paris attack, many people were able to find out if friends or family were okay due to the hashtags used and a Facebook page which allowed French citizens to confirm if they were fine. James Murdoch described this as a "threat to the plurality and independence of news" as the audience are less and less relying on the news in order to be up-to-date on what's going on around the world.

Alain de Boton takes a Marxist approach on the news industry as he claims "too much information erodes the real priorities". He is suggesting that the audience is overloaded with so much information that they don't know what do with it; in turn this confuses them preventing them from questioning a specific story for too long. If David Cameron was to announce minimum wage is being reduced further it would create havoc however if they next day a bomb went off in London most of the audience's attention would be directed at this meaning they don't have a chance to question those who are of higher authority- it acts as a diversion technique according to Marxists.

To conclude, over the years, we cannot deny that the audience has gained some sort of power through the use of new/digital media especially in terms of production. However, consumption can still be argued as more dominant towards the elite people.

(20) Eiffel Tower meets peace sign in show of solidarity after attacks

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/14/eiffel-tower-peace-sign-solidarity-paris-artwork

Summary:

Arwork believed to by London-based French graphic artist goes viral, with photos posted on social media under slogan Peace for Paris. A simple sketch combing two of the world’s most familiar images – Paris’s Eiffel Tower and the symbol for peace – has been adopted as a sign of solidarity with victims of the terror attacks in Paris. The artwork has gone viral on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Social media has also been used to offer help to those caught up in the crisis. The hashtag #PorteOuverte (open door) was used by residents in the affected areas to offer shelter to those fleeing attacks. Soon the hashtag was trending globally alongside #PriezPourParis (Pray for Paris), #Solidarite and simply the word, #Paris. Facebook was soon offering some comfort by marking all friends in Paris locations “safe” as they checked into their pages.

Key data/statistical information:

• The image is said to have been designed by London-based French graphic artist, Jean Jullien.
• The image has been shared by high-profile users including Sir Elton John, footballer David Beckham, chef Jamie Oliver, One Direction singer Harry Styles, and singers Justin Bieber and Britney Spears.

What's my view?

I think that social media was a great aid in helping people to communicate and make sure friends and family who were in the area were safe. Even though it was not able to stop the disastrous event that took place last Friday, the audience was able to reassure certain people and encourage others who have lost friends or family in the attack through social media. 

(19) Sun website traffic recovers as Mirror slips back

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/12/sun-website-traffic-mirror

Summary:

The Sun website bounced back in October, adding more than 180,000 daily unique browsers to take its total to 1.29 million. This represented an increase of more than 16% after a 14% fall in September, according to the latest figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations. The Sun’s rise came as all five of the most popular national newspaper websites posted small declines, with the Independent and Mirror Group national titles the worst hit with falls of about 5%. Also, last month Trinity announced a £200m deal to buy out local newspaper group Local World, which will give it control of more than 80 further titles.

Key data/statistical information:

• News UK site boosted by 16% rise to 1.29 million daily unique browsers in October, as rival’s national titles fall by 4.9% to 3.7 million
• The Independent and Mirror Group national titles the worst hit with falls of about 5%
• Mirror parent company Trinity Mirror was buoyed slightly by growth from its network of regional newspapers, which saw a 2.6% rise in daily browsers, however the group as a whole was still down 2.2%
• The Guardian was down by 2.6% to 8.15 million daily unique browsers following a record month in September
• The fastest rising national newspaper website was Metro, which posted a 25% increase in daily unique browsers, taking it back up over the 1 million mark after it had shed almost half a million in the previous month
• The Daily Star website also saw a large increase after a bad September, of 9.35% to 623,977 daily browsers.

What's my view?

I think it is normal such changes in the news industry. We are most likely going to keep seeing such jurastic changes where the amount of people reading The Sun or The Guardian, for example, would decrease or increase. 

(18) Marketing 2020: next generation talent will be key to filling digital skills gap

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/2015/nov/05/marketing-2020-generation-talent-digital-skills-gap

Summary:

The ideal marketers five years from now will be tech-savvy creatives with soft skills to deal with both clients and colleagues. Agencies understand the importance of digital skills and that shortages can impact on their sector. As a result, many do offer training to staff in order to stay competitive. This training is also regarded as key for staff retention. But some are going further, engaging with schools to train the next generation of talent. For the past two years, Carat UK has run its Discover Media programme in local schools to introduce GCSE and A-level students to media.

Key data/statistical information:

• UK consumers are the most enthusiastic online shoppers in Europe, with forecasts expecting them to spend more than £50bn this year.
• One of the other main shifts for marketers in the coming years is the increasing importance of mobile and video. Josh Krichefski, chief operating officer at MediaCom UK, said that video watched via mobiles has grown significantly and looks set to continue. The agency recently ran a campaign for Sky featuring Thierry Henry that was shared 21m times.

What's my view?

I think its a good idea to train the upcoming generation about technology and marketing. Its good as they are looking for young talent and they are looking to access larger pools of talent from different backgrounds to broaden the range of perspectives in the business. 

(17) BBC shelves plans to shut news channel

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/nov/06/bbc-shelves-plans-to-shut-news-channel

 

 

Summary:

 

The BBC is understood to have shelved plans to potentially shut its 24-hour news channel.

The corporation has been exploring plans to make the BBC News TV channel online-only

and replacing it with a mobile streaming service if further cuts need to be made.

It is understood that director general Tony Hall, who launched BBC News 24 and BBC News Online and went on to hold the post of chief executive of the news operation, was personally involved in the decision process. It is understood that the BBC Trust has also seen the outcome of the review of the cost-benefit analysis of potentially shutting the channel and similarly believe the case is not strong. In September, Hall outlined plans to move towards a mobile-focused streaming news service, called BBC Newstream, which would deliver more video-based stories “complemented by audio, graphics and text live from BBC News”. The BBC declined to comment.

 

Key data/statistical information:

• Corporation review into cost benefits of making channel online-only understood to show savings would only have been around £16m a year
• The total costs associated with running the channel are in excess of £110m a year, including production, newsgathering, content, distribution and infrastructure.
• It is understood a review of the cost benefits of closing the TV channel found that it was likely to only save perhaps £15m to £16m annually, not as big a saving as expected.

What's my view?

I think that it in the future, this potentially could happen due to the increase in new and digital media. The new and upcoming generation would be more intrigued with news being on-line.

NDM: Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony

1) Research the Ian Tomlinson case. What would the traditional, hegemonic view of the police be in a case like this? How did new and digital media create a different story? What does the police officer's subsequent aquittal suggest about the power of new and digital media?

 The traditional, hegemonic view of the police in this case would be that they are in control and should project their own way of seeing the world so that those who are controlled by it, the public, must accept what they say as the truth. So when they said that police medics and an ambulance crew tried to save his life after he collapsed but were marred by protesters throwing missiles as first aid was administered, they expected the audience to believe what they said as true. 

However new and digital media created a different story as a New York lawyer sent a video that he had made to the Guardian which was then published on its websites and made available on YouTube. The video showed a different story because it showed that the police's version was not true as the policeman Simon Harwood was seen on the video attacking Tomlinson.

The fact that the police officer got away with it shows that the ruling class has the power over the people even when facts and proof are being shown. They have the power to decide what is just and unjust and have the power to control situations like these. 

2) What does the author argue regarding whether hegemony is being challenged by Web 2.0?

The author suggests that Web 2.0 has not switched power from the producers to the audience just yet but the balance has shifted. We no longer have to rely on the token access that traditional media offered us and now we can produce texts ourselves. The author claims that it is to still too early to say that hegemony is being challenged by web 2.0 as it is only the early days of user-generate content. Over the next few years, it may be able to offer a larger impact especially upon the internet. Injustices can be challenged more easily; but the problem of political, and legal, controls will be harder to surmount.

3) In your opinion, does new and digital media reinforce dominant hegemonic views or give the audience a platform to challenge them?

Personally, I think that new and digital media gives the audience a platform to challenge them. As seen with the Ian Tomlinson case, the ruling class did not state the truth and even when a user-generated video was posted and viewed by the world, no one was brought to justice. However this was back in 2009. If we take back further we can see that in the case of Blair Peach in April 1979, no one has been charged with his case due to the lack of new and digital media to provide proof. Nowadays it is getting easier to challenge the hegemonic views because more and more user-generated news is being provided. The balance is now shifting as the police are now being forced by the public slightly to compromise and bring justice and truth. Since technology has evolved into something great, user-generated videos are now clear and provide enough evidence to show justice and show the wrongdoings of the dominant view. Due to this, more and more of the audience have the opportunity to challenge the dominant hegemonic view by posting videos on YouTube or sending them to certain newspapers so that that everything that the elite people say is not viewed as the total truth and that the lies that are covered are coming into the light. 

Article Index

(1)- Amazon launches gaming and 4K streaming Fire TV update

(2)- The Media Column: British TV is being bought up and outgunned by the Americans, leaving the BBC with a dilemma

(3)- BuzzFeed to cover more local news as it expands UK editorial team

(4)- Social media 'rehab': Is a 24/7 texting helpline really the best method?

(5)- Music streaming just became a billion-dollar industry

(6)- Forty percent of US millennials still pay for news, poll finds

(7)- Meryl Streep defends feminist credentials as Suffragette opens London film festival

(8)- Richard Desmond boosts Daily Star sales with price cut

(9)- Female technology journalists report abuse is still the name of the game

(10)- News Corp offers Times and WSJ digital bundle for corporate users

(11)- Why the future of newspapers is not all doom and gloom

(12)- Map shows parts of UK most excluded from digital world

(13)- Sun website to scrap paywall

(14)- Freedom of Information Act must be strengthened, says Tom Watson

(15)- Can dropping the paywall and upping the story count boost Sun’s website?

(16)- Kate Winslet says children being harmed by social media

(17)- BBC shelves plans to shut news channel

(18)- Marketing 2020: next generation talent will be key to filling digital skills gap

(19)- Sun website traffic recovers as Mirror slips back

(20)- Eiffel Tower meets peace sign in show of solidarity after attacks

(16) Kate Winslet says children being harmed by social media

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/nov/01/kate-winslet-says-children-being-harmed-by-social-media

 

 

Summary:

 



Co-star of new Steve Jobs film says she is worried by the addictive qualities of devices Apple has created. Parents are “losing control” of their children to social media, award-winning British actor Kate Winslet has said, adding the she has banned her own from using such sites over fears their self-esteem is being damaged. Winslet said social media made her blood boil and said it has a huge impact on young women’s self-esteem. “Because all they ever do is design themselves for people to like them. And what comes along with that? Eating disorders.” Her harshest criticism was reserved for families who are glued to mobile devices when out together. She said: “You go to a cafe and grown-ups are at one end of the table and children the other, on devices, not looking up.”

Key data/statistical information:

• In an interview with The Sunday Times, the Revolutionary Road star, 40, said parents should confiscate technology from their offspring – who she said may turn to social media for validation from strangers.
• The mother of three called for parents to take mobile devices out of the hands of their young.
• Winslet added she was troubled by the addictive quality of the devices that Jobs created. People “practically kiss them goodnight” she said.

What's my view?

I agree that this generation is to obsessed with social media and technology. Kids no longer play outside as they find it more interesting to stay indoors all day on-line. However, I also think it is too late to try and change things. It will be hard to remove technology and media from the lives of young people today.

(15) Can dropping the paywall and upping the story count boost Sun’s website?

Link: http://www.theguardian.com/media/media-blog/2015/nov/01/sun-website-paywall-rebekah-brooks-tony-gallagher

 

Summary:

 

Rupert Murdoch, the media mogul previously known for his refusal to give editorial content away free, has bowed to the inevitable by dismantling the Sun’s paywall. It was a flawed decision at its inception in 2013 and has proved to be disastrous ever since. Even a partial lifting of the wall in July made little difference. It was significant the Sun’s digital audience slipped backwards in September compared to August, suggesting opening the odd door in the wall had failed to keep stimulating interest. Meanwhile, the paper’s rivals have continued to prosper. Overall, 2015 has been a momentous year for the Sun. It began with the scrapping of Page 3 girls. By late summer, all but one of its staff charged in connection with payments to public officials had been cleared. Its former chief executive had returned. It gained a new editor. And Murdoch, ever the pragmatist, changed his mind about the efficacy of charging for online access.

Key data/statistical information:

• Although the revenue garnered from the Sun’s £7.99 monthly subscription for website access proved lucrative, it had the effect of locking the paper out from the online national conversation.
• 30 November, the day when the paywall is demolished

What's my view?

I think that the Sun is taking a positive turn especially if they want to have a successful future. It tended to frustrate non-paying visitors to the website who were uncertain what was, and was not, freely available.