The TV industry in the Philippines is extremely competitive. There is fierce rivalry between the two biggest networks – ABS-CBN and GMA 7. And now, trying to snatch the airwaves is a newly-reformatted TV network – the TV5. Their competition for ratings is so intense that what goes into the primetime newscast is often determined by an evaluation of which stories will rate better than the competitor’s. When ABS-CBN news team created a tagline “Panig sa Bayan, Panig sa Katotohanan, GMA then took a clash back by formulating a slogan: Walang Kinikilingan, walang pinuproktektahan, serbisyong totoo lamang.” This was the start of the relentless battle of the two giant networks to win the favorable stand of its viewers. There was a time when ABS-CBN accused GMA 7 of infringement of copyright when the latter allegedly used footages owned by channel 2 without its permission. Another case that is too glaring for us viewer to notice their rivalry happened when an informant divulge an information purportedly GMA’s giving out freebies in different households in exchange of watching to their shows. This was categorically denied by the GMA network stating that they were maliciously degraded in attempt “by ABS-CBN’s desperate move just to ruin the credibility of their station.”
Apart from the paramount importance of ratings, many of the networks also had to deal with the biases and preferences of their owners and top news executives. These channels are too protective by its talents who also had a post in government positions. Take the case of former Pres. Joseph Estrada. ABS-CBN was too sympathetic to him, who was then undergoing impeachment trial. The reason: Erap’s daughter is married to a son of the network’s owner. We are not also blind how then senator noli de castro took refuge to his station in light of his candidacy to run for vice president. It would be for his best interest to advertise his candidacy free of charge without exerting much effort. Networks claim they do not favor any political candidate, including those who were once or still are in their employ. But the perception that the networks favor their own is becoming increasingly hard to dispel.
Now, what is your take regarding this issue? Write a 500-word essay regarding your observation on the rating games and networks biases. Make sure to acknowledge your REFERENCES. Send this to my gmail account on or before FEBRUARY 18, 2011.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Mass Media Corruption
Dear Students,
We are heading to the last three remaining topics as we closely approaching to the end of the semester. I hope that you still find this thread interesting and challenging as we continue to tackle some of the controversial issues that haunts mass media in the past - down to its present times. Undeniably, the relentless power of media brings lots of host to the world we live in. Media is blamed to have caused anti-social behavior, of poisoning the minds of its people due to some depictions of gross deeds and many others. But amid these downfalls are the numerous benefits that mass media had contributed since time immemorial. We are in a state of bewilderment whether its advantages can tap the growing problems thrown to the mass media especially so that media are directly pointed out as a tool in desensitizing the moral fabric of our society.
One added list to these problems is on the issue of corruption in mass media. Yes, that would be our center of discussion today. Initially, I am in doubt whether I shall include this one as a major topic since it immensely an issue within our profession rather than a matter of concern for everyone. But upon discernment, it struck me to know that media practitioners must be wary to their actions. Our deeds and behaviors cannot simply be projected as mere façade because in reality people relied heavily on our jobs as their shield against injustices and shenanigans of corrupt officials. Although I speak on the moral obligation of journalists, please open your minds in thinking why I brought out this issue that might have a huge implication to the people.
So what is media corruption? I don’t have time to browse the net as to its definition, ergo, I could not give you the technical definition to it. It would be suffice if through examples we can elaborately discuss the topic at hand.
Can you still remember the term ‘envelopmental journalism’? This might be the blatant example of media corruption. Payoffs to journalists have become so much a part of the journalistic culture that they have endangered a language of their own. We call it payola, under the table transactions, atm journalism, hao siao, smiling money and other terminologies that have already been familiar to us. The news writer is obliged to write an article that would build up the name of his source or cover up the wrong doings of an official in exchange for the gifts or money he receives. This is without a doubt a form of bribery. You’re compromising your name just for a bunch of money that may ruin your integrity and thus, losing people’s confidence in believing or trusting you.
For indeed, where do good journalists come from? Do they march out of journalism schools as soon as they’ve learned the five W's and the Hs,the rigors of the interview, honed a nose for the news, and mastered the color, the logic, the rhythm, the texture of ideas and events? Are they born of honest and honorable fathers and mothers? Or, do they fall from the skies like manna from heaven? And where do bad journalists come from?
There are no easy answers. At bottom, it seems like the good and the bad journalists co-exist in the same milieu.
I cannot help but to think what had gone wrong to my previous students. They are attached too much to politicians that they have lost their idealism I’ve once seen back when they were still my students. It pains me to know that though novice in the profession they act like a ‘pro’ in maligning the truth and in fabricating stories just to make a good impression to their big boss. I don’t know there real intentions are. But for sure they do it because it’s their bread and butter – call it for survivability sake! But why is it that money remains the by standard of journalists? Meaning, if some one pay you a pretty sum of money, would it be the only time to write a good article? How about if someone approached you and tells you that MR. POLITIKO have a mistress? You refused to write because it might ruin his political career. In a classroom, it’s easy for me to impose to do this thing and avoid this one. You follow what I preached because you want to have a good mark because to do otherwise means failing you. But the real test happens out of the four corners of the wall. It’s when actual scenario unfolds while analyzing how you would cope up in dealing with such kind of situation. This would be the determinant how effective you can be as journalist.
Credibility they say is what others think of us. Ethics is what kind of people we are. Corruption destroys both. It is a problem we cannot ignore. As a first step, let us acknowledge that it is a problem, and let’s talk over it.
Questions:
1. In what way do people can be affected by the deeds or actions of the journalists? Cite examples.
2. Can you give some situations that portray media corruption? (eg in advertising, public relation)
3. Comment on the article above at least in 4 paragraphs.
Note: Be responsible in quoting your source. Don’t plagiarize other author’s work. Submit your work at my gmail account. This is due on february 10, 2011.
We are heading to the last three remaining topics as we closely approaching to the end of the semester. I hope that you still find this thread interesting and challenging as we continue to tackle some of the controversial issues that haunts mass media in the past - down to its present times. Undeniably, the relentless power of media brings lots of host to the world we live in. Media is blamed to have caused anti-social behavior, of poisoning the minds of its people due to some depictions of gross deeds and many others. But amid these downfalls are the numerous benefits that mass media had contributed since time immemorial. We are in a state of bewilderment whether its advantages can tap the growing problems thrown to the mass media especially so that media are directly pointed out as a tool in desensitizing the moral fabric of our society.
One added list to these problems is on the issue of corruption in mass media. Yes, that would be our center of discussion today. Initially, I am in doubt whether I shall include this one as a major topic since it immensely an issue within our profession rather than a matter of concern for everyone. But upon discernment, it struck me to know that media practitioners must be wary to their actions. Our deeds and behaviors cannot simply be projected as mere façade because in reality people relied heavily on our jobs as their shield against injustices and shenanigans of corrupt officials. Although I speak on the moral obligation of journalists, please open your minds in thinking why I brought out this issue that might have a huge implication to the people.
So what is media corruption? I don’t have time to browse the net as to its definition, ergo, I could not give you the technical definition to it. It would be suffice if through examples we can elaborately discuss the topic at hand.
Can you still remember the term ‘envelopmental journalism’? This might be the blatant example of media corruption. Payoffs to journalists have become so much a part of the journalistic culture that they have endangered a language of their own. We call it payola, under the table transactions, atm journalism, hao siao, smiling money and other terminologies that have already been familiar to us. The news writer is obliged to write an article that would build up the name of his source or cover up the wrong doings of an official in exchange for the gifts or money he receives. This is without a doubt a form of bribery. You’re compromising your name just for a bunch of money that may ruin your integrity and thus, losing people’s confidence in believing or trusting you.
For indeed, where do good journalists come from? Do they march out of journalism schools as soon as they’ve learned the five W's and the Hs,the rigors of the interview, honed a nose for the news, and mastered the color, the logic, the rhythm, the texture of ideas and events? Are they born of honest and honorable fathers and mothers? Or, do they fall from the skies like manna from heaven? And where do bad journalists come from?
There are no easy answers. At bottom, it seems like the good and the bad journalists co-exist in the same milieu.
I cannot help but to think what had gone wrong to my previous students. They are attached too much to politicians that they have lost their idealism I’ve once seen back when they were still my students. It pains me to know that though novice in the profession they act like a ‘pro’ in maligning the truth and in fabricating stories just to make a good impression to their big boss. I don’t know there real intentions are. But for sure they do it because it’s their bread and butter – call it for survivability sake! But why is it that money remains the by standard of journalists? Meaning, if some one pay you a pretty sum of money, would it be the only time to write a good article? How about if someone approached you and tells you that MR. POLITIKO have a mistress? You refused to write because it might ruin his political career. In a classroom, it’s easy for me to impose to do this thing and avoid this one. You follow what I preached because you want to have a good mark because to do otherwise means failing you. But the real test happens out of the four corners of the wall. It’s when actual scenario unfolds while analyzing how you would cope up in dealing with such kind of situation. This would be the determinant how effective you can be as journalist.
Credibility they say is what others think of us. Ethics is what kind of people we are. Corruption destroys both. It is a problem we cannot ignore. As a first step, let us acknowledge that it is a problem, and let’s talk over it.
Questions:
1. In what way do people can be affected by the deeds or actions of the journalists? Cite examples.
2. Can you give some situations that portray media corruption? (eg in advertising, public relation)
3. Comment on the article above at least in 4 paragraphs.
Note: Be responsible in quoting your source. Don’t plagiarize other author’s work. Submit your work at my gmail account. This is due on february 10, 2011.
Newspaper Controversy
What are the issues/concerns confronting the newspaper industry?
Just like any other medium of mass media, the survivability of a newspaper depends primarily on advertisement which serves as the “lifeblood” of any news organization. While scanning a newspaper I have observed that paid advertisements occupies I think 20% of the entire paper. This poses a critical question to me: Does an ad in any way influence the content of a newspaper? Let’s face it. This is question between the role of a mass media to ferret out the truth or to slant the news in favor of its advertisers. It is fact that newspaper is obliged to satisfy the advertisers, their audiences and the government. They cater to advertisers primarily by suppressing news that reflects badly on advertisers and their products. I supposed that some newspapers will resort to hiding some irregularities involving its advertisers and mislead the public readers just to protect the reputation of a product’s company; otherwise, it means losing their main source of income and perhaps leads to its closure. And to a lesser extent, they cater to government power so as to avoid harassment (for instance, over licenses) and in return, for favors to obtain leaks and other handouts. I would like to believe that there are two existing kinds of newspaper organization in the country: the pro and anti-administration newspapers. The pro-ad newspapers being allies of the government enjoy the privilege from getting a free and easy access to information to receiving gifts in exchange of a favor. On the other hand, we have an anti-government newspaper who suffers from the harassment of the administration and who is deprived from exercising their rights to information.
What is your take regarding this issue? Can you also mention some of the underlying issues concerning the print industry (magazine, books)today?
Your comment is due until feb 3, 2011.
Just like any other medium of mass media, the survivability of a newspaper depends primarily on advertisement which serves as the “lifeblood” of any news organization. While scanning a newspaper I have observed that paid advertisements occupies I think 20% of the entire paper. This poses a critical question to me: Does an ad in any way influence the content of a newspaper? Let’s face it. This is question between the role of a mass media to ferret out the truth or to slant the news in favor of its advertisers. It is fact that newspaper is obliged to satisfy the advertisers, their audiences and the government. They cater to advertisers primarily by suppressing news that reflects badly on advertisers and their products. I supposed that some newspapers will resort to hiding some irregularities involving its advertisers and mislead the public readers just to protect the reputation of a product’s company; otherwise, it means losing their main source of income and perhaps leads to its closure. And to a lesser extent, they cater to government power so as to avoid harassment (for instance, over licenses) and in return, for favors to obtain leaks and other handouts. I would like to believe that there are two existing kinds of newspaper organization in the country: the pro and anti-administration newspapers. The pro-ad newspapers being allies of the government enjoy the privilege from getting a free and easy access to information to receiving gifts in exchange of a favor. On the other hand, we have an anti-government newspaper who suffers from the harassment of the administration and who is deprived from exercising their rights to information.
What is your take regarding this issue? Can you also mention some of the underlying issues concerning the print industry (magazine, books)today?
Your comment is due until feb 3, 2011.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sex Violence
Read my discussion below and answer the question posted below. You send your answers to my email account at bonsky123@gmail.com. Please be guided accordingly.
What is ‘pornography’?
The 1986 Attorney General Commission on Pornography defined pornography as material that is “predominantly sexually explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal.” (cited from the article of Kerby Anderson entitled: The Pornography Plagued)
There are two types of pornography mainly; Hard core – it is sexually explicit in the extreme and devoid any apparent content or purpose and the soft core- a mild pornography since depiction of sexual violence is not too harsh.
Another important term that is closely associated to pornography is the definition of obscenity. According to the Miller case, one of the landmark cases which had opened the issue on pornography, the material is obscene if all three of the following conditions are met (Anderson):
a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.
b. The work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law, and
c. The work taken as a whole lacks serious, artistic, political or scientific value.
Forms of Pornography
Pornographic materials could be found and/or shown on the following types:
1. Adult magazines – these are primarily directed toward an adult male audience. Popular examples are playboy and penthouse. In the country, FHM and Pinoy Playboy could fall under this classification. However, this can be distributed legally in all paper stands in the market. If you think this is a pornographic material, then why is it allowed by the government?
2. Video Cassetes- these are rented or sold in most adult video rent houses. People who would never go to the theater to watch pornographic material will get a copy at the video rent house or downloads these materials at the internet. They usually play these materials at the confines of their home for private reasons. Usually video displays a high degree of hard core pornography and illegal acts.
3. Motion pictures – videos or movies which contain extreme sexual activities are shown in theater. The MTRCB classifies this type of movies into “X-Rating” which means only adults or 18 above are allowed to view this film.
4. Television – the most restricted medium in terms of showing intense sexual activities. However, TV is not totally spared from the depiction of highly intimate sex scenes which easily could be viewed by the children. Some programs are not suitable to children, thus, the station flash an advisory message prior to the airing of the program. This is to forewarn parents or guide their children from exposing obscene acts.
5. Cyberporn – hard core pictures, movies, online chat, and even live sex acts can be downloaded and viewed by virtually anyone through the Internet. What was only available to a small number of people willing to drive to the bad side of town can now be viewed at any time in the privacy of one’s home.
Psychological and social Effects
It is believed that brief exposure to violent forms of pornography can lead to anti-social attitudes and behaviors. Male viewers tend to be more aggressive toward women, less responsive to pain and suffering of rape victims, and more willing to accept various myths about rape.
Activity 5
Question: Do you think pornography can lead to some undesirable effects in human such as committing the crime of rape? Cite one study in the web that can attest or affirm to your answers.
Activity 6
Berl Kutchinsky, a criminologist at the University of Copenhagen, is the most famous proponent that pornography can lead to violence. Find in the web the theory that was presented by this person. What are the flaws or drawbacks of his research?
Note: Do not practice the copy-paste syndrome. Try to analyze to the meaning emphasized by the author and relate this to your own understanding.
In the essay written by Irving Kristol titled Pornography, Obscenity, and the case for censorship, he emphasized varied points and ideas whether we shall take against pornography or legalized it. He cited two school of thoughts: the radical minds whose view towards pornography is that it is a healthy practice in a democratic and civil society and the conventional thinkers who obviously contradict the former’s ideas saying that it demean or debase the moral fabric of our society. According to the libertarians, there is no way for the government to suppress individual minds from writing or doing something. This is in reference to the issue that showing nudity or expressing in their literary works what is said to be a ‘normal’ human activities of copulating or having sex is indeed a no big deal issue. That is why they called their piece as an ‘art’ rather than ‘obscene’. Meanwhile, these contentions were castigated which relied mostly on its moral aspect – its ethical or metaphysical justifications. For one thing, pornography as D.H Lawrence puts it, “an attempt to do dirt on sex…It is an insult to a vital human relationship. Furthermore, pornography differs from erotic art in that its whole purpose is to treat human beings obscenely, to deprive human beings of their specifically human dimension. It was also reiterated that sex – is both an animal and human activities – meaning it’s really normal. However, in the context of human being making love is a sacred thing just like marriage; it has sentiments and ideals involved in this kind of activity. But when sex is public, the viewer does not see- cannot see- the sentiments and ideals. He can only see the animal coupling. And this really what set us human apart from animals.
Activity 5:
1. Make a 500-word essay any topics that deals with pornography. You may get one of the following titles:
a. Child Pornography
b. An Obscene ‘Art’
c. The Value of Parental Advisory
d. What Went Wrong?
e. Cybersex: It’s growing popularity to youngsters
These are just examples of the title of your essay. You can formulate of your own but focus the body of your essay on the topic at hand.
Criteria for Grading:
Originality – 30%
Composition (Grammar, coherence and clarity) – 50%
Source reliability (facts citation) – 20%
Note: Deadline for submission is on January 20, 2010. Late papers will no longer be entertained.
What is ‘pornography’?
The 1986 Attorney General Commission on Pornography defined pornography as material that is “predominantly sexually explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal.” (cited from the article of Kerby Anderson entitled: The Pornography Plagued)
There are two types of pornography mainly; Hard core – it is sexually explicit in the extreme and devoid any apparent content or purpose and the soft core- a mild pornography since depiction of sexual violence is not too harsh.
Another important term that is closely associated to pornography is the definition of obscenity. According to the Miller case, one of the landmark cases which had opened the issue on pornography, the material is obscene if all three of the following conditions are met (Anderson):
a. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.
b. The work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law, and
c. The work taken as a whole lacks serious, artistic, political or scientific value.
Forms of Pornography
Pornographic materials could be found and/or shown on the following types:
1. Adult magazines – these are primarily directed toward an adult male audience. Popular examples are playboy and penthouse. In the country, FHM and Pinoy Playboy could fall under this classification. However, this can be distributed legally in all paper stands in the market. If you think this is a pornographic material, then why is it allowed by the government?
2. Video Cassetes- these are rented or sold in most adult video rent houses. People who would never go to the theater to watch pornographic material will get a copy at the video rent house or downloads these materials at the internet. They usually play these materials at the confines of their home for private reasons. Usually video displays a high degree of hard core pornography and illegal acts.
3. Motion pictures – videos or movies which contain extreme sexual activities are shown in theater. The MTRCB classifies this type of movies into “X-Rating” which means only adults or 18 above are allowed to view this film.
4. Television – the most restricted medium in terms of showing intense sexual activities. However, TV is not totally spared from the depiction of highly intimate sex scenes which easily could be viewed by the children. Some programs are not suitable to children, thus, the station flash an advisory message prior to the airing of the program. This is to forewarn parents or guide their children from exposing obscene acts.
5. Cyberporn – hard core pictures, movies, online chat, and even live sex acts can be downloaded and viewed by virtually anyone through the Internet. What was only available to a small number of people willing to drive to the bad side of town can now be viewed at any time in the privacy of one’s home.
Psychological and social Effects
It is believed that brief exposure to violent forms of pornography can lead to anti-social attitudes and behaviors. Male viewers tend to be more aggressive toward women, less responsive to pain and suffering of rape victims, and more willing to accept various myths about rape.
Activity 5
Question: Do you think pornography can lead to some undesirable effects in human such as committing the crime of rape? Cite one study in the web that can attest or affirm to your answers.
Activity 6
Berl Kutchinsky, a criminologist at the University of Copenhagen, is the most famous proponent that pornography can lead to violence. Find in the web the theory that was presented by this person. What are the flaws or drawbacks of his research?
Note: Do not practice the copy-paste syndrome. Try to analyze to the meaning emphasized by the author and relate this to your own understanding.
In the essay written by Irving Kristol titled Pornography, Obscenity, and the case for censorship, he emphasized varied points and ideas whether we shall take against pornography or legalized it. He cited two school of thoughts: the radical minds whose view towards pornography is that it is a healthy practice in a democratic and civil society and the conventional thinkers who obviously contradict the former’s ideas saying that it demean or debase the moral fabric of our society. According to the libertarians, there is no way for the government to suppress individual minds from writing or doing something. This is in reference to the issue that showing nudity or expressing in their literary works what is said to be a ‘normal’ human activities of copulating or having sex is indeed a no big deal issue. That is why they called their piece as an ‘art’ rather than ‘obscene’. Meanwhile, these contentions were castigated which relied mostly on its moral aspect – its ethical or metaphysical justifications. For one thing, pornography as D.H Lawrence puts it, “an attempt to do dirt on sex…It is an insult to a vital human relationship. Furthermore, pornography differs from erotic art in that its whole purpose is to treat human beings obscenely, to deprive human beings of their specifically human dimension. It was also reiterated that sex – is both an animal and human activities – meaning it’s really normal. However, in the context of human being making love is a sacred thing just like marriage; it has sentiments and ideals involved in this kind of activity. But when sex is public, the viewer does not see- cannot see- the sentiments and ideals. He can only see the animal coupling. And this really what set us human apart from animals.
Activity 5:
1. Make a 500-word essay any topics that deals with pornography. You may get one of the following titles:
a. Child Pornography
b. An Obscene ‘Art’
c. The Value of Parental Advisory
d. What Went Wrong?
e. Cybersex: It’s growing popularity to youngsters
These are just examples of the title of your essay. You can formulate of your own but focus the body of your essay on the topic at hand.
Criteria for Grading:
Originality – 30%
Composition (Grammar, coherence and clarity) – 50%
Source reliability (facts citation) – 20%
Note: Deadline for submission is on January 20, 2010. Late papers will no longer be entertained.
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