NDM News

Amazon shows off new prototype delivery drone

Amazon has launched a video showing off its new prototype drone, an unmanned aerial vehicle which can get packages to customers within 30 minutes. This particular drone is a hybrid vehicle— part helicopter and part airplane. "This design enables it to fly long distances efficiently and go straight up and down in a safe, agile way," says Kristen Kish, Amazon Prime Air's spokesperson. According to the video, the autonomous drone - which weighs under 55 pounds - rises vertically like a helicopter to a height of 400 feet, and then flies horizontally for upto 15 miles. The launch date remains unknown, but according to the new Prime Air microsite, the drones are being developed in the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel and being tested in "multiple international locations."

This article shows how reality is becoming more instant, even in terms of delivery. Through these developments with the droid, it shows how immediacy is becoming ever more predominant and is being seen as a necessity as people are becoming more and more preoccupied in getting the next the 'big thing'. Also, it shows how people are becoming more dependant on machines and technology which has its advantages for example, there is less room for human error, but also has its disadvantages, the loss of jobs.       

BBC journalist who criticised Tyson Fury on Spoty says he is suspended

A BBC journalist has been suspended by the corporation after stating he was “ashamed” that his employer had invited the boxer Tyson Fury to its Sports Personality Of The Year show. The gay English-born Northern Ireland-based journalist has said he has written to the BBC director general, Tony Hall, over Fury’s nomination. Hall is expected to be questioned about Fury’s nomination by the culture, media and sport select committee next week.

In his online post, West wrote: “My employer is hurting me and other gay people by celebrating someone who considers me no better than a paedophile and who believes homosexual people are helping to bring about the end of the world.

This exemplifies the discrimination that is amongst the gay community but through West posting his concerns online it suspended him because he begins to criticise how the BBC aren't brave enough to admit a mistake. By Tyson Furry being nominated to be the BBC's sports personality of the year but being sexist, it caused West to express his views about being ashamed about working in the BBC. Also, it shows the illusion of freedom of speech as he was suspended for expressing his agitations.    

Globalisation and the media: wider issues

1) Why was Google Glass controversial? 

"The main concerns with the advent of Glass however relate to issues of privacy. If people using Glass are effectively able to walk around and film everything that they’re looking at, how are the public to know if they’re being filmed without having given their permission?"

The main issue of the google glasses is seen through the aspect of privacy. People could be filmed or photographed without their permission or even worse, their knowledge. 

2) What are the positive elements to Globalisation that the article highlights?

"In a sense the world becomes more accessible, and people are enriched by getting to know and understand it better."

"Increased choice and opportunities empower people, while access to information can enhance not only the ability to make informed decisions but even the democratic process."

Positive elements of globalisation is seen as people are able to access the internet even easier and to a higher degree with the glasses. Through the connectivity, the world is made 'smaller' and more accessible for people. 

3) What are potential negatives to Globalisation?

"the general populace alienated from each other and hooked up to a host of machines controlled by a large and powerful unseen source."

A negative however is that although people are connected online, in reality people are alienated from one another, that people are too preoccupied on being connected online that the cyber world has become their way of life, their reality.    

4) What is a techno-panic? How does it link to moral panics?

"a techno-panic is therefore a moral panic that centres on fears regarding specific contemporary technology or technological activity. Some of the dialogue regarding Glass and its release could be viewed as both moral and techno-panics."

Moral panic is a highlighting of concerns in society stirred up by the media in regards to an event in society an a techno-panic is a moral panic specifically based from contemporary technology or technological activity. 
5) What is your opinion on the privacy debate and major corporations being able to access large quantities of personal data?

In my opinion, major corporations having large quantities of personal data is distressing as it shows the lack of security that we have online. Furthermore, by major corporations knowing so much about people, it worried people because users generally think that being online is safe and secure through the privacy function. As technology is such an essential part of peoples lives, it puts to question that if they aren't secure online, how much more in the real world.    

NDM News

Is mobile making media all the same?

The mobile phone, it turns out, is the greatest homogenising force the media has ever seen. In terms of design: with every pixel precious, sites converged pretty quickly to the format we all now know so well – large photos, clean single-column text on a plain white background, a sticky element at the top of the screen that allegedly allows users to navigate the site but which in practice is mostly just used for branding and/or advertising.

 In the mid-2000s, especially, the dream of web-based nanopublishing was alive and well: if “freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one,” as AJ Liebling famously said, then suddenly hundreds of millions of people had a printing press at their fingertips. Arianna Huffington, and her investors, made a small fortune from aggregating what those people had to say: “self expression is the new entertainment,” she said, and she wasn’t wrong.



This article show how the mobile is the medium for homogenising the media. This is very interesting because the advancing in technology would have meant that institutions are able to create a sense of individuality but through mobile apps, it is very difficult because users are so used to certain layouts. This shows how there is a lack of individuality in the media because majority of institutions have their app constructed in a very familiar way in which all the other apps are constructed too.    

Globalisation in advertising weakens great British brands, says Sir John Hegarty

Globalisation in advertising is weakening the brand reputation of Cadbury and other great British names, one of the leading figures in British adland claims. “Globalisation has made it hard,” he said. “I have to create a piece of communication that works not only in the UK but in Malaysia, in Germany...and all the vested interests are hard to convince.” “Cadbury's was a culturally important brand, it was part of the British psyche. It’s now completely disappeared. It had a history of wonderful advertising right up until Cadbury's Gorilla and then [the company] it gets taken over by Kraft who reduced the country's association and relationship with it and have turned it into a very ordinary chocolate in terms of image, in my view,” he said. 

This article is interesting because it debates on the negative effects of globalisation on stereotypically 'British' brands mainly Cadbury. This is because these brands have to find ways to make their advertising appealing internationally not just nationally which was the case in the previous years. This article taps into the notion of the 'global village' because adverts are now being tweaked in order to find appeal internationally or else the institution who don't, are losing their competitiveness.    

Learner Response:

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.

WWW: This is frustrating – what you’ve written here has huge potential and there is a clear understanding of important issues and debates regarding new and digital media. Some of your examples are excellent and you’ve used some well-selected quotes to support your argument. This would all be the basis of a top-level essay except…

EBI: … You have not written or indeed answered the actual question and therefore cannot be shown to have focused on the question at all – crucial even for level 2 (up to a D grade). You have no introduction at all – not introducing the question, main arguments or your case study. These are such basic errors in academic writing and you MUST address them.

In addition, despite the content being very good, this is nowhere near a COMPLETE NDM essay that would be suitable for the exam. You don’t mention the decline in the newspaper industry, paywalls, Hyperreality or News Values. You’ve written four good paragraphs – I’d say you need three more PLUS a decent introduction and conclusion to get the grade you deserve here.

I think you could offer more in terms of Marxism, Hegemony and Pluralism – particularly Gramsci’s Hegemony.

Finally, you lack media theory – remember you can apply theory you have learned in Y12 as well as stuff we’ve covered this year. 

Introduction 

It is undeniable that developments in new and digital media empowers audiences in consumption as well as production but these so called 'empowerments' could be called into question. Audience empowerment is especially seen in the news industry; where digital media employs the rise of citizen journalism and user generated content, as well as news becoming more convenient to consume. This emphasises the internet being "the great leveller". The developments in digital media also has setbacks therefore audiences not being empowered is equally a viable argument. In terms of production, audiences are able to express issues, but only to a certain extent and if they go beyond expectation, their comments/posts are easily removed. This portrays how audiences are given the illusion that they are empowered in terms of production.  

Alan De Botton

Answer the following questions on your blog:

Notes: The hierarchy of news has gone down, 

News should be more focus on what is important to the audience not just what is gripping and compelling 

Make the important news popular

We don't care about world news, the news don't allow us to empathise 

A good picture enhances the state of knowledge 

The news provide fear and not hope

News distorts reality, things seem normal but are anomalous, murders 

Gives us false hope

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

I totally agree with his views on saying that the news is bombarding audiences, even with news that isn't necessarily relevant and actually important in people's lives. I also agree with the news needing to make important news popular news. In this current time, news institutions place far too much importance on celebrities simply living, whether they are shopping or working out. This definitely needs to change. 

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

Hegemony is seen when Alan De Botton is talking about the deceptions created through the front cover of the papers. According to Alan De Botton, audiences are creating false realities through what they see on the front of the paper. This is a very strong example of hegemony because audiences are being fooled and mislead information by media producers. Also, Alan De Botton also argues that the new distorts reality which is an example of hegemony.  

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

Through new technology, audiences are able to be journalists thus not giving sole power to actual media producers but also to the audiences. 

NDM: Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony

Main task

Read the Media Magazine article ‘Web 2.0: Participation or Hegemony?'. Go to our archive of Media Magazine issues and click on MM39 - the article you need is on page 58. Answer the following questions:

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?

In a traditional hegemonic view of the police, the case of Ian Tomlinson would be very far from the truth in a sense that the police officer who was involved, would be under a light where it would seem that his actions, striking Tomlinson to the ground, was appropriate. This is because this notion that police officers are noble and here to serve the country is a reputation that those in control want to preserve. However, through the advancements in digital technology, a fellow protestors were able to capture the episode where Tomlinson was assaulted on their mobile. Through platforms online in result of the advancing in digital media, it gave the opportunity for the multiple videos to be seen. With the footage, it creates a different story to what the initial police statement was, "The police was alerted that a man had collapsed, and were attacked by 'a number of missiles' as they tried to save his life." The subsequent acquittal of officer Harwood suggests that the power of new and digital media isn't strong enough grounds in comparison to an actual testimony from an eye-witness. However, with the rise in user generated content, it would cause those in power to act more cautiously because of the possibility of their misconduct being recorded on people's smartphones. So it is still a valid argument to say that new and digital media has some power in enforcing law and justice. 

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

Lacey suggests that Web 2.0 has switched the power from producers to the audience and has democratised our access to the media. He adds, essentially, Web 2.0 is a platform where in audiences can be producers of media texts and that we no longer have to rely upon professional organisations to act as gatekeepers. 

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

New and digital media definitely empowers audiences to challenge hegemonic views. With the development in social media, which is at the forefront and has even become a particular aspect in certain people's lives, it gives audiences a steadfast platform where they can voice their own opinion as well as challenge what is classed as 'normal' and 'common sense'. 

NDM case Study: Globalization

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

• American child doing hiccups while singing the American national anthem. 
• This is american news which is not valued in Britain. 
• American news is poor.

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

• Improved the audience experience as global news is available almost instantaneously and this is a result of globalisation,
• It is extremely beneficial to be updated on global issues and globalisation has helped us stay connected with people and this has improved the audience experience. 
• However, globalisation has damaged local news therefore the audiences are struggling to stay updated with their local issues. 

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

• Globalization has damaged the news institutions because majority consumers today get their through social media e.g twitter and Facebook.
• Institutions are questioned about the accuracy of their news because of the lack of gatekeepers online 
• Smaller institutions also suffer from this as Globalization as they are not adapting with new/digital media which results in a decrease in consumers.
• Benefited both news institutions and consumers as they no longer have to visit their local shops to buy newspapers and institutions can save money from printing
• They can access everything online whenever they like meaning institutions aren't restricted by international boarders
• Citizen journalism has also been a positive impact as these institutions no longer have to pay journalists or have journalists around the world to report news when they already have citizens reporting news through their smartphones instantly.