Mass Communication and Its Impact on Society Course Reflection

It was definitely eye-opening to come into this quarter with a lot of previous knowledge from my university classes at journalism school, and walking into a class where all the information was completely new to my classmates. It made the class really refreshing, and I loved hearing everyone's opinions on the media, journalism, and other forms of mass communication. I learned a lot about my peers in the class, and made good friendships as well!

Ever since drowning in journalism classes, I realize I have a journalistic objective viewpoint on media, but it was really great to hear from other aspects of mass communication and realize that there are many roads I can take career wise. I have a greater understanding of all types of communication, such as Public Relations and Media Advertising that are really interesting to me. I now feel that I have a wide variety of media knowledge rather than just one in journalism.

I still am eternally thankful and grateful for the First Amendment because it allows journalists and other professions in mass communications to have free speech, report on unjust systems, and allows for creativity and art. Also, it is the only phrase I would consider getting a tattoo of-Julia Louis-Dreyfus sure does pull it off!

Media Law Case Study: The Journal News Published Pistol Ownership Map

          

A few weeks after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown Connecticut in December 2012, the Journal News, a paper serving Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties in New York, decided to publish an interactive map of the names and addresses of all gun owners in the area. The article was title"The gun owner next door: What you don't know about the weapons in your neighborhood," and published in January 2013. It received outcry from around the country because of the harm it put gun owners in the neighborhood in.

While the article is unfavorable by the public, The Journal News’ decision to publish a map of the gun owners in Westchester and Rockland counties as a result of the Sandy Hook shooting is both lawful and ethical. The Freedom of Information Law and freedom of the press portion of the first amendment allows The Journal News to publish this information. Information of gun-holders and people who have gun permits is open to the public, and therefore the reporters who published the article had the right to obtain and put together and publish a map of the locations.

The Published of the Journal News, Janet Hasson, defended the publication of the article. She said, "One of our roles is to report publicly available information on timely issues, even when unpopular. We knew publication of the database would be controversial, but we felt sharing information about gun permits in our area was important in the aftermath of the Newtown shootings." 

I agree with Janet Hasson’s argument that the information about gun permits is important and was newsworthy during the time it was printed.  The journalists involved with the story made the correct ethical and lawful decision to gather and put together the information, and The Journal News was right to publish it. 

Ethically, I believe that this is an important issue and the journalists involved made the correct choices to publish the information. They should not have been harassed releasing public information that could potentially protect citizens in the communities they reported on. The news would not harm anyone, but instead create awareness of the number of gun-owners in residential communities in the area. 

Annotated Items for Research Paper

1. Conan, N. (2010). Women Sports Reporters Still Fighting for Respect [Radio series episode]. In Talk of the Nation. Washington D.C.: NPR.

This NPR news broadcast hosts Arizona Republic reporter, Paola Boivin, and journalism professor Sherry Ricchiardi. The female reporters discuss their experiences in the sports journalism field. The discussion includes their experiences with sexual harrassment, low-profile event assignments, and overall inequality in the industry. I will use this in my paper to depict an example of how female sports journalists women are not taken as seriously to men in the industry. 

2. Mahler, J. (2014, September 14). In Coverage of N.F.L. Scandals, Female Voices Puncture the Din. The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2014.

This New York Times articles highlights how female sports reporters covered the topic of domestic abuse in recent light of N.F.L. news. It compares how coverage of these issues is done by men and female reporters. I will use this source in my paper to highlight why we need women in sports media. It is important to have diverse representation in all media, including sports.


3. Herman, R. (2013, July 16). How Far Have You We Really Come? Retrieved November 17, 2014.

Robin Herman, the first sports female sports writer of The New York Times, reports on the growing number of women in the sports industry. She uses her experiences to highlight a time when the number of female sports writers was so scarce that she was discriminated against when entering locker rooms. I am using this source to contrast my thesis that there is not enough female voice in the sports industry. I will highlight how it has grown, and use this as background for where women started in sports broadcasting

Propaganda in Advertising

SCAPEGOATING AND DICTAT PROPAGANDA
This advertisement for the United States Navy uses Scapegoating, a method used to assign guilt to a certain group of individuals (men in this case), and the Dictat method, hoping to simplify the decision of joining the Navy by eliminating other choices. It uses an example of a woman who is not allowed to join the navy and uses her as an instigator to enforce the role of patriarchy. The slogans, "Be and Man and Do It" and "Gee! I wish I were a man!," aim to show men the privilege they have in their ability to join the Navy. It assigns a certain amount of guilt to their conscience. The Dictact method is enforced with the ad's expression that woman are attracted to and admire men who join the navy. 

GLITTERING GENERALITY PROPAGANDA

This Macy's advertisement claims that you can "find your magic" in their stores, whether it be through their products or a new holiday dress. The slogan is emotionally and aesthetically appealing, but does not say what the "magic" is or show any representation of what they are aiming to sell. It is also using an attractive woman to sell their brand rather than any of their products. It is a subtle form of propaganda often used in consumer advertising. 

Media Research Paper Topics

1. Women in Journalism Work Force

• Representation of women in media jobs (Journalism, Public Relations, Media Advertising)  ex. lack of women in sports, business, finance journalism
• How this affects the focus of stories on women in the news
• Statistics of how this has evolved over the last century (as media outlets have evolved)

2.  Social Media's Impact on Dating 

• How dating/matchmaking apps (Tinder, OKCupid, Hitch, etc.) effect how millennials interact and find dates
• Social aspect and uses of these applications
• Statistics on how useful and accurate they are to matching up people on dates and how this compares to previous generations of matchmaking
• Dating Apps in relation to television and media

3. Objectivity in Journalism: Greenwald v. Keller Debate

• Cover historical context of journalism and the rise of objectivity
• Discuss both sides of debate (Journalism should be solely objective v. It should be slightly subjective in order to make an impact on news consumers)
• How objectivity and subjectivity in journalism today affect viewers/readers
• Various opinions on the debate from working journalists and everyday news consumers

Sit Back and Enjoy the Movie(s)

I am passionate about films with strong female leads, and stories of women who work to get themselves out of difficult situations. It is difficult for me to choose my "favorite" movies, but these films are included in my top choices. Movies that leave me with a strong emotional response, or lead me to question the ethics of my actions or of society's actions generally inspire me most. 

Movie Choice of 2013-2014

Begin Again (2014) 

"You're only as strong as your next move."

Begin Again combines the stories of an executive producer and an upcoming singer-songwriter as they search for new zest in life in Manhattan. Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo are stellar actors and their refreshing chemistry creates a winning storyline. I particularly loved this movie because it isn't your typical romance story, and it involves music and the culture of New York City. The soundtrack, acting, and location really bring the story alive. 


I compare this movie to a modern day "The Notebook," and would recommend it to anyone looking for a great movie to watch with a date, friend, or solo on a weekend night. Romantic comedies are usually not on the lists of the top cinematic masterpieces of the past century, but I can always rely on them for a pick me up on a rainy day. The boy and the girl and the comedic situations they encounter only get better as the times pass.

  

All-Time Movie Choice

Girl, Interrupted (1999)

"Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy."

Girl, Interrupted features Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie in a memoir of Susanna Kaysen's 18 month stay in a women's psychiatric ward. Kaysen has borderline personality disorder, and she shares her experiences with mental health with the other women in the hospital. She documents her experiences in a journal and becomes friends with Jolie's character, Lisa Rowe, a diagnosed sociopath.

The drama and intense real-life emotion drew me into becoming a huge fan of the movie. I am a fan of Angelina Jolie's work, and she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this film. Not only does it tell the stories of the women in the ward, but it depicts the cruel and unethical ways patients in mental institutions were treated in the 1980's. It called for justice and led people to question how well our psychiatric hospitals are treating the mentally disabled. While I have a list of movies that are in my top favorites, Girl, Interrupted always comes to mind because of the long lasting impact it had on my view on mental health. 

Fitness4U Magazine Proposal

CONCEPT

Fitness4U is a new magazine specifically catered toward female college students who want to read about news ways to stay in shape, eat healthy, and maintain overall health during college. The "U" in the title is an abbreviation for "U"niversity. 

While most magazines use well known models in their pages, Fitness4U will only use real college students to remain as relateable to out key demographic as possible! When college women see other women in college staying in shape while managing school, they will be more inspired to read the stories in our magazine. 

It will contain exercises to do at home or in your dorm, ways to balance a healthy lifestyle with school, healthy recipes that are easy to make, affordable advertisements for fitness wear, and articles from real college women. 

READERS

This new magazine's key demographic is women in college aged 18-26. It may be more attractive toward college students in a university setting who are living on their own. 

It is also aimed toward those interested in fitness, wellness, and cooking. The main demographic income varies, but is aimed to women on a generally low college budget. 

It may attract students who are looking to avoid the "Freshmen 15," lose or gain weight, tone up, manage their weight, and see their peers (real everyday women) in a magazine.

COMPETITORS

Fitness4U's competitors include popular fitness magazines SHAPE, Fitness, and upcoming online magazine Fiterazzi.  While these magazines all highlight important points about fitness and health, none of them are specifically targeted to college students. 

Also, Fitness4U  differs because it is written and developed by college students throughout America. This will attract women in college because they will be getting advice and inspiration from students just like them.

ADVERTISERS

1. University, College, and Local gyms and fitness centers

2. Fitness clothing stores (Lululemon, Nike, PINK)

3. University town grocery stores (Trader Joe's, Safeway, Whole Foods)

4. Local fitness events (Zumba, Yoga)

5. College student government bodies 

HIGHLIGHTED ARTICLES

"Balance Studying for Midterms and Daily Workouts": A guide to staying active while studying for midterms and how to have a proper school and health life balance

"What You Really Need to Succeed": An overview of the essentials needed to balance out all aspects of college life

"Comfort Fall Foods: Dorm Ready": A collection of easy to make dorm recipes for the fall season

"Affordable Activewear: Perfect for cooling temps!":  Article that features affordable active wear for college students on a budget

"How 5 REAL University Students Improved their Health in College": Stories from 5 women across America who have improved their health while in college and tips on how they did it

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.”

-Lemony Snicket, Horseradish

I grew up as a bookworm and remember taking trips to the library to pick out new books every week. I can easily compare my childhood experience with books to Matilda's from Roald Dahl's Matilda. I don't read as much for personal enjoyment as I would like to as of lately due to digital and every day life distractions. I am currently reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

My favorite books of the last year are Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self  by Rebecca Walker, Covering America: A History of a Nation's Journalism by Christopher B. Daily, and Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.

Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self  by Rebecca Walker was assigned to me in my introductory women's studies class. Rebecca Walker is the daughter of Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple and activist. The autobiography reflects Rebecca's childhood and experiences as the daughter of a famous activist for women and people of color. 

I particularly enjoyed this book because I was able to relate to the idea of shifting in between locations and never quite having a whole self. Rebecca's parents were divorced, and she depicts her experiences of moving in between her parent's households across the country for two years at a time. It is one of my most highlighted books because many of the quotes in the book highlight significant parts of my life. 

Check out Black, White, and Jewish: A Shifting Self here

I read Covering America: A History of a Nation's Journalism by Christopher B. Daly last year for my "The Past, Present, and Future of American Journalism" class. It was our class textbook, and the only textbook I've ever read from cover to end. It covers the history of the nation through a journalist's perspective in a new and innovative way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about American history because it differs from your typical AP US History class, and provides new insight into the past of our country. This is a must for aspiring and current journalists!

Check out Covering America; A History of a Nation's Journalism here

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg was on the New York Times bestseller list when it released, and turned out to be a very controversial book about the role women have in the workforce. As a feminist and activist for women's rights, I enjoyed the book because of its ability to inspire women to ask for raises, speak their voices, and further the role of equality in big businesses.

 It became controversial because the author, Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg, is a white, wealthy woman with the privilege to speak up about these issues because of her status in society. Many argued that they could not relate to the book because it was written in a way that only related to upper class white women already established in their careers.

Check out Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead here

Media Autobiography

It is nearly impossible to get away from any form of media is today's evolving digital world. I indulge in different forms of media to connect with my loved ones, immerse myself in world news, and keep up with the latest and greatest of entertainment.  Internet, television, and newspapers are my main source of mass media, but I also consider books, magazines, movies, audio, and radio to be important forms of mass communication. 

Books are essential to any student, and contain knowledge from credible sources. I began reading books as a young girl, and am evolving into using an e-reader. Although I enjoy flipping through the pages of a book, it is becoming more natural to read books on my tablet. 

Newspapers, also known as "the grey lady," were not important to me until I went to journalism school last year. It was highly emphasized that to be journalists we should immerse ourselves in the original form of journalism. I have grown on this form of news, and continue to read The New York Times in print. I also read news online, and have many news apps on my phone. 

Magazines were my initial form of news consumption, and I enjoy reading them today while relaxing at home or outdoors. Glamour, SHAPE, and Cosmopolitan are my personal favorites, but I grew up reading Seventeen and various teen trend magazines.

Audio and radio are my least used form of mass media. They are pervasive forms of mass communication so I am usually obligated to listen to them. I listen to music on Spotify and Pandora, and to the radio on car rides. 

I use television to catch up on different shows throughout the week, and enjoy watching news in the morning before school. I usually record shows and watch them on weekends. 

The internet is my prime source of media, and I use it for school, daily life, and personal and professional connections. I rely on e-mail for a lot of my interaction in today's media world.

I currently have a Public Relations internship, and use internet to create monthly newsletters and flyers to market the Natasha's Justice Project brand. As a journalism major, I do have plans to work in the media industry. I have plans to transfer to SFSU or SDSU following my term at De Anza.