Weekly News

Top journalists sign up as Words By Women judges

A new awards ceremony taking aim at a lack of women nominated for the UK’s Press Awards has signed up some of the country’s top journalists to serve on its judging panel.

Sky’s Kay Burley, BuzzFeed UK editor-in-chief Janine Gibson and Independent on Sunday editor Lisa Markwell have joined the judging panel for the Words By Women awards. A shortlist for 13 categories will be announced on 29 February, with a ceremony at the Groucho Club scheduled for 21 March, the day before the Press Awards take place. 

I think that this is a good scheme in order to raise awareness that there is a lack of woman nominated for UK's press awards. Also, i think that this is a good opportunity too spread equality and give women just as much of a chance as male journalists

Top Gear's Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc: start of a special relationship?

The Anglo-American Top Gear presenting duo of Chris Evans and Matt LeBlancseem to be forming a special relationship already as they were see filming scenes for the new series of the hit motoring show.

LeBlanc may be wondering what he had let himself in for, because rather than zooming about in expensive supercars, one of his first assignments was to chug along in a three-wheeled Reliant Robin outside the BBC’s Broadcasting House headquarters in central London.

I think that this is a very interesting story because many would want to see how the new top gear cast will cope when the show airs. I think that there would have to be something special in order to compete or even match the last top gear cast with the likes of Jeremy Clarkson. This will create a lot of controversy and many people will compare the two.

Index

1) Reading the riots

2) Post-colonialism: Destiny Ekaragwa film analysis

3) Post-colonialism: theory and clip task

4) Feminism: post-feminism article and No More Page 3 research
5) Feminism: Feminist theory and Beyonce video analysis

6) Identity and Film - Media Factsheet task

7) Collective identity and the media

Identities and Film: blog task

In 1954, the researchers Manfred Kuhn and Thomas McPartland conducted an experiment, known as the TST (Twenty Statements Test) in which they asked the participants to answer the question “Who am I?” twenty times. People would be encouraged to think of all the different roles they have in their lives. The test reveals that people don’t have one single identity, but many identities that they move in and out of depending on the situation they find themselves in.

I am a male (Social groups and classifications)
I am a teenager (Social groups and classifications)
I am a student (Social groups and classifications)
I am a footballer (Interests)
I am a brother (Social groups and classifications)
I am creative (Self-evaluations)
I am interested in music (Interests)
I am interested in sports (Interests)
I am friendly (Self-evaluations)
I am funny (Self-evaluations)
I am ambitious (Ambitions)
I am lively (Self-evaluations)
I am fun (Self-evaluations)
I am kind (Self-evaluations)
I am laid back (Self-evaluations)
I am someone who enjoys solving problems (interests)
I am religious (Ideological beliefs)
I am helpful (Self-evaluations)
I am appreciative (Self-evaluations)
I am loyal (Self-evaluations)

My favorite film is Boyz N the Hood because of it's realism. I think that this says something about my character because i am into those types of movies. I think that the reason it is one of my favorite movies is that it shows a refreshing change in the typical stereotypes with one of the main characters Ricky being a successful black college student. It also addresses some of the issues that are still going on today such as police brutality and black inferiority. 

LGBT Films:

Wilde (1997, dir. Brian Gilbert)

Philadelphia (1993, dir. Jonathan Demme) 

The Wedding Banquet (1993, dir. Ang Lee) 

The Kids are Alright (2010, dir. Lisa Cholodenko) 

Pride (2014, dir. Matthew Warchus)

Weekly News

Time Inc buys what is left of MySpace for its user data

Time Inc has acquired what is left of social media pioneer MySpace in a move designed to hoover up user data to help it target digital ads more effectively.

The publisher of magazines including Time, People and in the UK, NME and Ideal Home announced in a statement it had acquired Viant, a group of companies that includes advertising network Specific Media, which purchased MySpace for $35m in 2011.

Time chief executive and chairman Joe Ripp described the deal as a “game changer”.

He said: “Marketers are selecting media partners that have either data-driven capabilities or premium content; we will be able to deliver both in a single platform, and will stand apart from those that offer just one or the other.”

MySpace was one of the first wave of social networks to emerge at the start of the century. It was acquired in 2005 by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp for $580m and peaked in December 2008 with 75.9 million monthly unique visitors.

I think that this is a good idea and is likely to benefit Time Inc in the long term. This is because Time Inc will be able to target digital ads effectively which could help them gain more revenue.

Marketing firm posts 'only dyslexics need apply' job advert

A marketing firm has released a job advertisement that stipulates applicants must be dyslexic as it wants employees who think differently.

The ad – which features a photograph of the Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was dyslexic – says: “We require people with a unique mind, so only dyslexics (like Steve) should apply.”

It was released by the Garage, which aims to provide “innovative thinking” for businesses. The new marketing consultancy was founded by Chris Arnold, a former creative director at the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi who describes himself as a “dyslexic entrepreneur”.

I think this is an interesting article because it circles out dyslexics which is surprising. Also it is at benefit to them and possibly a good idea because it gives less able people a chance to thrive in a department they enjoy.

Collective identity: blog task

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

Who are you- This section talks about constructing our identity through the media i.e. fashion statements etc.

I think therefore I am- our identity use to be pre-determined with class, age, gender and ethnicity however we are able to construct our own identity now.

The rise of the individual- identities became more of an individual factor rather than collective where people were able to form their own identities and uniqueness.

From citizen to consumer- This speaks about how advertising and the media were able to convince people to buy what they wanted not what they needed which played a role in constructing identities.

Branding and lifestyle- This links to the idea that branding and the brands you use and associate with play a role in forming your personality/identity.

Who will be?- A persons identity can be determined through their 'homepage' or their social media profile, this shows how they portray themselves publicly.

2) List five brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.

Apple- I am happy to be associated with apple because they bring across the idea of innovation and creativity which can reflect to ones personality as a user of their products.

Nike- Nike is a huge worldwide brand that is extremely successful and this reflects my identity as being sporty or having an active lifestyle.

LG- LG is a huge technology brand with the slogan 'life's good' which can reflect my identity as being happy and satisfied with my lifestyle.

Mercedes- This gives off the idea of luxury and a comfortable lifestyle which I am happy to be associated with.

PlayStation- This is a growing brand that I am happy to be associated with because it gives off the idea of having a 'fun' lifestyle due to their advanced gaming features.

3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

Yes, I agree with this expression to an extent because modern media shows peoples identities through their style and what they choose to shown people in their profile pictures, tweets etc. However, I also believe that substance is important in modern media because following someone will allow you to get to 'know them' or see some of their views through their posts and social media page.

This expression means modern media concentrates strictly on a person outside features and what they choose to show people rather than their personal features and views in terms of popular topics.

4) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

'External superficial value exceeds all that is substantial under the veneer of glitter and pretty garlands of flowers.'

5) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

I think that my social media pages are a reflection of who I am to an extent because my posts/tweets etc are coming from me and how i feel about certain issues. I feel that social media is a good way to share your opinion sometimes because of the wide variety of views. However I also think that I cannot be completely judged or summed up though my social media because it is sometimes used as a sense of escapism.

6) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

I think it isn't an invasion of your privacy because it usually and automated service that offers you these products which means there is no real invasion. Also, many may find this useful because they can get products that they want or are interested in according to their searches.

Beyonce video

1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?

The media influences performance roles because it reinforces the idea that women are there to do housework and look after children. The Beyonce video seems to reinforce the idea that women just work around the house which is a common stereotype about women.

2) Would McRobbie view Beyonce as an empowering role model for women?

McRobbie would view this as an empowering factor for women to an extent because the whole idea of the glamour shown throughout the video makes women seem powerful and luxurious in the music video. However, Beyonce working in the kitchen may also degrade women to an extent because of the typical stereotypes.

3) What are your OWN views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ (Mulvey)?

I personally think that Beyonce reinforces the male gaze and other stereotypes to an extent. When looking strictly at the lyric 'why dont you love me' you can instantly see that she needs a man to support and lover her which degrades women and show them not to be independent. Also the revealing clothing reinforces the male gaze and allows men watching the video to sexualise her and look at her for their own purposes and pleasures.

Identities and the Media: Feminism

Media Magazine reading

1) What are the two texts the article focuses on?

the article focuses on Beyonce and her representations in her video 'why dont you love me' and how the music video reinforces some stereotypes  that women are just the typical housewives. This shows women stereotypes and reinforces them to an extent.

2) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?

Beyonce- Why dont you love me'
Pan Am

3) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?

I think texts such as these show some form of sexism and stereotypes because it gives the idea that women should stick to housework. These texts make men superior to women in many things and doesn't allow women to do what men do.

No More Page 3

1) How can the No More Page 3 campaign be linked to the idea of post-feminism?

page 3 would challenge feminism because the whole image and idea of it objectifies women. Feminists will look at this and look to argue that this doesn't show equality because the male is looking at the female in a sexual way.

2) What are your OWN views on the No More Page 3 campaign. Do you agree with the campaign's aims? Should the campaign continue?

I think that the campaign should continue this is simply because page 3 reinforces many stereotypes. Also,  page 3 objectifies women because they are simply there for the male gaze.

3) Do you agree that we are in a post-feminist state or is there still a need for feminism?

I think there is a need for feminism to an extent because the idea of equality is important in society. Also, with men objectifying and sexualising women in music videos this still shows that feminism is needed to an extent to ensure men and women are equal in society and how they are viewed.