What have I learned in this class?

This class has taught me about how the media is a part of every aspect of our lives even if it is not blatantly obvious. The topics that we covered vary but are all tied with the central theme that the mass media is growing in size and power. First we learned that media literacy is a persons ability to notice the media that they come into contact with and realize the effects it has on them. We moved on to cover mass media technology which taught us all the different types of media they are and how the newest form, the Internet, is vast and almost anonymous which is why it is popular across the globe. Next we covered media economics which determined how economics drives most media companies. Ink on paper allowed us to ponder the question of whether or not the print industry will survive with the ever changing media landscape and digitization of media. Then we proceeded to talk about sound media and deregulation of the radio and recording industry. The other subjects included motion media, the new media landscape, news, entertainment, public relations, advertising, mass audience, mass media effects, media and democracy, mass media globalization, media law, and lastly ethics. All of these subjects captured the expanse of mass media and its influence on our lives. This course was extremely beneficial to me because before entering school I came in undecided with no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Now I know that I want to major in communications with a focus in public relations, one of the subjects we covered in class. I appreciated the knowledge I acquired over the semester because it was beneficial in making me decide that media is the career path I want to take.

What Have I Learned in This Class?

I for one was graced with a lot of information that I would never have thought would have been interesting to me. In coming into this class I will honestly say I had my doubts as I thought the class focused around film media but was thrown into the vast world of all mass media. I was introduced to journalism, public relations, music, movies, games, television, and any other form of media that reaches out to the masses. I became overwhelmed with the multitude of new information I was learning. While overwhelming, I started to become more interested especially in the film "Breaking the News." I almost wanted to change my major to journalism so I could be an investigative journalist. The class brought a lot of work for an introductory class and I felt as though if I did not do most of these assignments I would not have gotten as much information as I did. I could go on and on giving specific details on the actual material that I learned in the class but the biggest thing I learned is not necessarily from the content. I was exposed to different fields and I needed to become open to all fields of work and when I did I suddenly became more interested. I believe this will help me as a global communications major because I will need to have a clear and open mind. I am very pleased in the way that this class was run and will favor all the information I learned.

What have I learned in this class?

Intro to Mass Media really has taught me a lot. In the future, I want to be a journalist and this class definitely seemed like the first step to reaching my goal. As a communications major, I came in to my freshman year of school thinking I knew all about communications and that this class was just going to be so repetitive. However, I was wrong and I have learned a great deal. One of the major topics that I have learned about in this class would be that I have learned all about various media pioneers and different people that have shaped our mass media. Obviously I knew about the different forms of mass media, print, television, movies, etc. But I never really knew who were the people behind these ideas that changed our world forever.
Being a communications major I understand that you have to be up to date on the most current news and happenings around the globe. This class has taught me that in order to be successful in the field that you have to always be changing just like our mass media. You have to be constantly adapting to the ever changing cycle. As technology develops we have to work with it and develop as well. Intro to Mass Media really has been an enjoyable class and I have taken so much away from it that I will never forget.

How does mass media shape the public's agenda of issues?

Mass media plays a key role in shaping the publics agenda of issues. Depending on what stories a news program talks about most, those stories will be wider known by the public and therefore they will be more likely to take action on those rather than the issues that are briefly mentioned or not at all. The way the mass media portrays a topic may also affect the way the public takes initiative on it. If the program, or even a print source, movie etc. makes a certain topic sound urgent, then the public will obviously take note on that and realize that something has to be done.
The publics agenda of issues is also shaped by the types of media that they perceive. For instance, if you watch more news programs such as the NBC Nightly News or MSNBC then you will probably be more keen on the stories surrounding politics and our government because those are the topics the cover the most. But if you watch a program such as the Sunday Morning News, then you will have a much wider variety and a broader knowledge on topics that may range from politics to sports. Depending on what types of programs you watch or what form of mass media you view plays a key role in distinguishing the publics agenda on issues.

What have I learned in this class?

I have learned many things in this class that I know I’ll take with me for the rest of my life. Although I know I will not follow through to be a communications major, I know it will help me with my studies to be a psychologist through the influence that mass media has on a person to person basis and how it affects their thinking. I’ve learned that the media really is powerful and has branches into, literally, everything. I enjoyed learning about the printing press and all of the media pioneers that we have in history that we’ve seemed to overlook in history class throughout my public school education and I also especially enjoyed learning the effects it has on people and how it could affect their behavior, lifestyle, ect. I find it interesting that the media sets out standards for people to follow and how it creates almost a negative connotation for those who don’t follow it. I know that I’ve greatly enjoyed this course and I’d love to further my communications and media knowledgebase through more classes in upcoming semesters.

What are some mass media effects and their impact on society?

Mass media has been proven to be very important in this word to the people especially. Mass media has many branches in television, magazines, books, radio, music, ect. ect. Our population is growing with technology and with these technological advances comes more branches and with time each branch begins to grow even more and more. Nowadays, we have become so reliant on these advances for our education and entertainment purposes that it is almost impossible to live without them. Elizabeth Noelle-Neumann created the cumulative effects theory that states that the media is so prominent and engrained in our everyday lives that it is almost impossible to live without it for at least a day. There is also the Bullet Theory that believes that media can move people and affect them powerfully and directly. Even if you don not expose yourself to media, you still can be introduced to it through acquaintances and friends. This is called the Minimalist Effects Theory. Mass media aso have living pattern effects, attitude effects, behavioral effects, and cultural effects.

How does mass media shape the public's agenda of issues?

The mass media can be overwhelming sometimes because it is, after all, the representing factor of the people. If ‘the people’ are saying one thing, it could be hard to voice out against them and say otherwise. The mass media as well has adopted a code of ethics, which basically defines acceptable/unacceptable behavior for taking a course of action towards certain issues or plans. These include respect for private property, commitment to timeliness and being fair. Each is very important to the people because they need to stay reliable and honest and, for lack of another word, fair. The media also controls what the people they represent see, so they air what they find to be the most important issues and draw more attention to that than other things that some people might find important as well.

What is the significance of the First Amendment with speech and press?

The first amendment is a wonderful thing that helps the people, (represented by the media and their own voices) control government and speak their mind about certain issues. It lets people get across what they want to say and how they feel, however congress has passed laws about this to limit our freedom of expression to an extent. The people have limited freedom of expression, because obviously if someone was going to say they would kill the president we would have some issues. People can’t just say literally anything that comes to their mind. Their arguments or opinions must be well thought out and just, not completely unfair or a threat to someone else. There is a difference between being against the war and maybe doing a slient/ non-violent protest and doing a full out violent and rowdy, also annoying, protest that the law has to end. People are allowed to say what they want to say, they just can’t libel, slander or take private action against another.

How does mass media reflect a political system globally?

Mass media and politics usually go hand in hand with each other. As the book states, ‘throughout mass media history, authoritarian political systems have been the most common.’ Mass medias influence is that mass media is the voice of the people and the rules govern over the people. If the people are not satisfied, the media will not have kind things to say about the government and eventually it will fall. For example, Czar Nicholas II of Russia was killed by representatives of the people because they were not happy with his rule. By the end of his regime, he led Russia to an economic and military collapse. Obviously his people were not happy about that, and because of that obviously the media at the time wasn’t too fond of him. He also kept a tight censorship on the people that they were not happy about. He was later killed and ect. However, there are also Libertarian leaders who are free with their interaction with the people and take criticism openly to make themselves better and help the people. A more accepting leader of mass media shows an honest government that isn’t out to oppress its people.

What is the significance of the fourth estate?

As John Vivian describes, the fourth estate is pretty much media and the press. “Medieval English and French societies were highly structured into classes of people called estates. The first estate was the clergy. The second was nobility. The third was the common people. After Gutenberg [printing press], the mass-produced written word began emerging as a player in the power of structure, but it couldn’t be pigeonholed as part of one or another of the three estates. In time the press came to be called the fourth estate. “ -Vivian 379. As the ‘estates’ go, it’s pretty much a measure of power that people have to judge the influence people have on other things. The thing is, the press isn’t one person but it still has a bunch of control on the people around it. Because of this, it’s considered another estate. The press has so much influence in everyone’s’ life that a person literally couldn’t live without it. Especially because now of the First Amendment for ‘Freedom of the Press’, we use our ‘fourth branch of government’ to monitor the other branches on the behalf of the common man to make sure there is no foul play or corruption going on. The press is, as the textbook says, the ‘watchdog’ for people. As this role developed it helped the people and because of it keeps the government officials on their toes and in check, or at least better at hiding what they’re doing better and not being careless.

What have I learned in this class?

I have learned many new and important facts about mass media throughout this semester. Seeing as media does play such a large role in my life it was helpful to really look into it and how it works. For example, I did not know that media has become so important in society today that it is considered the fourth estate. I learned a lot about the history of media and where it all started throughout the semester. It was interesting to compare how media used to be to how it is today. Media is constantly changing and evolving but no when usually looks back, only forward. I also found it interesting to see how mass media can tie in with so many other things such as marketing and public relations. Since I am a public relations major myself I enjoyed that chapter and finding out how public relations and media work together.

What is the significance of the fourth estate?

Media has become such a large part of the world we live in that it is now considered the fourth estate. We cannot go a day without experiencing some type of mass media and people are realizing this more and more each day. The best way to market or advertise something is through the media. Media can be used for entertainment, advertising and marketing, educational use, and much more. Mass media is the easiest and quickest way to get information out to a large group of people all at once. Even politicians use it to get their messages across or to help get nominated. The fourth estate has become an extremely vital and important role in the world we live in today. I believe the importance of media will only grow as the years go on.

What are some mass media effects and their impact on society?

Today the media plays a great role in society. We feel as if what we see in the media is what we should be doing and have the tendency to copy it whether it is right or wrong. It has been proven that television can effect children. They copy what they see and if watching a television show that is not appropriate for their age level they can end up doing something they shouldn’t. We also base our lives around the wants and needs of a celebrity. Today many companies use celebrities as an advertising technique because it has been shown that consumers are more likely to purchase an item when it is being marketed by a celebrity. We want to be like these people so much they we will buy products they are endorsing hoping that it will make us more like them. The news can also play a big role in society by airing news stories that they think are most relevant. Today celebrity gossip will make the headlines as a top story even though it should not be just because it will get the station the most ratings it could possibly get.

How has conglomeration changed the movie and television industry?

Today many television stations and movie companies are one in the same. Major companies such as Time Warner own many of the most popular television stations while producing some of the biggest movie hits. To make it big in the movie or television industry today you must work with both. By building a well known name it helps the popularity of a new television show or movie grow much quicker than a company that is not as well known. Many companies even go on to work with other types of mass media such as owning popular websites and book publishing companies. They have become a tycoon and set extreme levels for any new companies just breaking into the field.

How does mass media shape the public’s agenda of issues?

The media plays a big role in the public’s agenda of issues. For example a news station may not necessarily air stories that are most important but stories that they think will get them the most viewers. Also, many major news stations today take a political side, such as democratic or republican, and air stories that lean more towards that side. There is definitely a correlation between the rate at which a media covers a story and the extent that people think that this story is important. The more media talks about a story and presents it to the public the more they will be aware of it and its importance will rise. It also adds to a story’s level of importance when a big celebrity talks about the issue. This will draw even more attention to a story helping the public become more aware of it.

What is the significance of the First Amendment with speech and press?

The First Amendment grants Americans with the freedom of speech, press and religion and forbids government interference. Without our First Amendment rights we would be unable to express ourselves through media and there would be many restrictions to what could be released to the public. The First Amendment guarantees U.S. citizens the right to publicly protest policies and government officials. Similar to the Fourth estate, the First Amendment acts as a watchdog to the people in power. The First Amendment gives citizens a chance to politically express themselves through varying methods such as literature, entertainment, advertising, emotive speeches and hate speeches. Although the United States has First Amendment rights, the government felt that it was necessary to put some restrictions and censorships on some aspects of freedom of speech and press in order to ensure national security and keep the public safe.

How Does Mass Media Reflect A Political System Globally?

Mass media reflects a political system globally in the sense that it is the way that the world receives its news on political issues and provides the public with valuable information on politics, helping people to shape opinions. Without different forms of mass media, our nation would never receive information on governmental issues.

Due to this reliance on mass media for political information, it has become a system that is looked upon as an informer of useful and relevant information on current issues and topics. If the world did not have different forms of mass media, it would be much harder for people to find out political information and form their opinions. Due to this, mass media is almost looked upon as a political system in itself. No matter where in the world you are referring to, mass media is the main relayer of political news. The fact that it communicates to large audiences is what makes it so vital to each and every person in the world. Politics really would have no way to reaching the general public if it were not for mass media communication. Even many years ago, when computers and television did not exist, newspapers conveyed all the current political happenings. This was still an early form of mass media. It is apparent that the world will always be dependent on it, especially for political news.

What Is The Significance Of The Forth Estate?

The news media, often considered the fourth estate, is extremely significant in society today all over the world. The media and news has the ability to shape or change the opinions of the general public through their relaying of information. People always want to know what is going on in the world around them and rely on the news media to inform them. Without it, everyone would be blind to what is going on around them.

The reason that news media is so significant is because it is relevant and completely up to date. If people were left in the dark on important current issues in the world around them, chaos would naturally ensue. Could you imagine a world where there was no form of media relaying the news? No one would know what is happening. Because of this, news through media has become single handedly one of the most important and key factors of society and giving people the feeling that they are actually cared about. There is naturally enough controversy in media and politics as it is, due to the fact that everyone thinks differently. If no one knew about current issues and governmental decisions, people would be revolting all over the globe, causing complete and utter chaos.

What Are Some Mass Media Effects And Their Impact On Society?

Mass media clearly has a large effect and impact on society and has proven to be extremely important to our world. Mass media simply consists of different ways of communicating to large amounts of people. Television, newspapers, magazines, radio, etc... are all examples of mass media outlets. These have all become essential for progression and growth in world because of the fact that they are what informs everyone on what is happening in our world.

Mass media relays news to the public. If the public was not tuned into the news and what is going around in the world around us, especially in politics, we would be lost and people would become puppets to whatever the government is doing. Also, the media is the main influence of people’s opinions, considering it is where everyone gets their news and information from.

On a different side of the spectrum, mass media has had effect on the marketing and business world greatly. Companies have become able to commercialize, promote, and spread their messages and products in so many different possible ways that it gives them an enormous advantage on reaching success.

Without all of the different forms of mass media communication, our world would not be where it is today. It is a sign of progress and a testament to how advanced our technology has become over the years.

Which Audience Analysis Measurements Principles Are Most Effective And Why?

Audience analysis measurements principles and techniques are crucial to media companies because they tune them in to their audience and provide information that the companies can use to their advantage. Surveys, probability sampling, quota sampling, and polls are all examples of techniques that companies use to try and see what their audiences feel.

In my opinion, polls prove to be the most effective and valuable techniques because they show truly what the majority of the population thinks and what the general opinion is. Once a company discovers this characteristic, they then gain insight on what they should be doing to turn out the best results in terms of sales or positive public opinion. Surveys are also very useful because they help to determine the same results as polls. The difference is that normally polls require people to go out on their own and submit what the think, while surveys often involve people being randomly proposed with a question and they voice their opinion on the spot.

In a sense, these different types of analyzing audiences are always extremely useful because the key to a company’s success is presenting material that appeals to the largest majority of people possible. This will bring in the most benefit to the company or business that is involved in the market.`

How Do Media And Advertising Go Hand In Hand?

For years, media and advertising have worked hand in hand to communicate messages to the general public. Television, newspapers, radio, magazines, billboards, etc... are all examples of different forms of media. The sole purpose of these different media outlets is to communicate a particular message to large audiences of people, wherever they may be in the world. Advertising, which is a process that businesses and companies use to persuade people into buying their products, subscribing to what they have to offer, or to promote something that they are a part of, needs a way to reach the massive public. Media, being the main communicator to the world, has provided advertisers with a way to publish whatever it is they wish to promote and to have it be able to reach a large number of people. Commercials on TV and radio are two examples of media hosting advertisements. The companies or businesses that create the commercials buy out a slot to be played on either the TV or radio. As far as print media goes, advertisements are printed in newspapers and magazines, which also helps reach large audiences. Also, companies try to target their audience and list advertisements where they know a lot of people will be interested. For example, on a children’s show channel there will probably many commercials for certain new toys or children’s shows that are coming out. Simply put, without the media, advertisements would have no way to reach the public.

Public Relations Is A Persuasive Tool In Media Communications

Public relations is a field that deals with maintaining a positive public image for businesses, non-profit organizations, or high profile people, such as celebrities and politicians. Due to this nature of the public relations field, it is very commonly used as a persuasive tool in media and communications. People who work in the public relations field can be seen as managers who defend their clients to the public, working to keep the opinion of them at a positive level.

Sometimes a business, politician, or celebrity may do something that spawns controversy and negative reactions from the general public. In this situation, a public relations manager would speak publicly, trying to stand up for their client and change the public’s view as much as they possibly can. They need to be experts at persuading people in some cases. As an example of a different situation, a lot of the time public relations managers don’t need to necessarily defend an action of their client, but they will publicly speak about how their client has done good or should be viewed positively and favorably under the limelight. In a sense, people in the field of public relations act as a second voice of their clients, providing the public with information that attempts to put them on a pedestal and make them look good.

What is the significance of the fourth estate?

The fourth estate is the idea that the press plays a role in government. In the US government the media acts as the fourth branch of government. The job of the fourth branch of government is to monitor, or be the watchdog, the other branches of the government; executive, legislative and judicial. “As one wag put it, the founders saw the role of the press as keeping tabs on the rascals in power to keep them honest.” (Vivian 381)

What are some mass media effects and their impact on society?

There are many mass media effects including the minimalist effect theory. The minimalist effect theory is the idea that the media effects are mostly indirect. For example; television programs such as Law and Order, CSI, NCIS and Criminal Minds are all entertaining. Many viewers enjoy watching programs about fighting crime and walk away, seemingly, unaffected by the disturbing themes and images. The minimalist effect theory claims that audiences are in fact effected by the themes and images because it encourages the idea that there is a lot of violence in the world. Television shows depict that one in ten characters per week are involved in a violent crime when in reality one in 100 people per week are involved in a violent crime.

Which audience analysis measurements principles and techniques are most effective and why?

Probability sampling is the most effective way of surveying mass audiences. This method utilizes the magic number, 384, for the sample size in order to ensure a reliable outcome. An important part of probability sampling is choosing the sample selection to be sure of who exactly you are interviewing/surveying. Before conducting a survey, using the method of probability sampling, you must decide on an acceptable margin of error. By choosing an acceptable margin of error it increases the pollster’s confidence level in the survey. The basic principle of probability sampling is the fact that everyone in the population has an equal chance to be sampled.

Blog Portfolio

Ashley Thompson

Blog Portfolio

18/18

Best Two:

Technology Dependence:

Since before time, mankind has been trying to improve and better his world around him. It began with the wheel--allowing people get from place to place and communicate. Over the years we still use the wheel but it has improved and evolved, just like technology. Everything we do in one way or another, revolves around technology.

For centuries people communicated in large groups, as in town hall meetings and concert halls without microphones-just the human voice, albeit sometimes elevated to extraordinary volumes (Vivian 23). Beginning with Joannes Gutenberg and printing technology in 1440, reading our news began a frenzy in improving our media spread. It evolved to chemistry technology with pictures and movies, to electricity where people were now able to hear and see the news. New technologies keep coming around making our media craving easier to satisfy. Ipods, Ipads, laptops, Facebook, Twitter, text messaging are just a few ways that people today stay connected. I don't doubt that in 10 years new technologies will come around once again and improve our media abilities.

Whether we realize it or not, media takes up two-thirds of our waking hours. Everything we do revolves around technology. We already have our cell phones with us just incase we get a text message or phone call. Our Ipods now let us access the internet whenever we please and Facebook and Twitter keep us posted on what people are doing or plan to do. In the future I believe our technology dependence will be more than it is today.

How has blogs and the internet changed the way news is reported?

I believe Blogs and Internet have changed the way the news is reported drastically. Years ago the news was censored way more than it is today, there were words and phrases that people could not say, terms that were frowned upon, and the news was to be given without an opinion. Today, all of those restrictions are now basically a part of the everyday news. Blogs give the public the chance to speak their minds freely, and air their opinions for the rest of the world to either agree or criticize on. Not all Blogs give correct information too. There are some Blogs that keep to the information and no influencing opinions, but there are many who stretch the truth to get a reaction. Perez Hitlon, for example, is an example of a blogger who has opinions and no filter for what he is saying. He likes to report on celebrities by claiming false things about them, or just to start a rumor.On the other hand, Blogging and Internet can be a good thing. It is a fast and accessible way to get the news, and now a days you can get internet almost everywhere. Breaking news stories, the weather, sports and gossip are all at your fingertips these days. Depending on what source you get it from of course. I think Blogging and Internet giving the news is both a positive and negative thing, it all really depends on where you look and who you believe. CNN or the average Joe?

What have I learned in this class?

I have learned so much from this class. I learned how media began, where it originated from, how and why it because more popular and then how it took off. The media pioneers were the most entertaining for me because I got to learn something new that our history classes never taught us. Whether it was reading about them in the book, or hearing about them from our fellow classmates, I got to learn something that I wouldn't have learned anywhere else. The way that technology has helped media evolve was also very fascinating. From penny presses to newspapers to digitally getting the news and stories all within a short period of time is amazing. I had always assumed there were politics and behind mass media, but not as much as I learned there actually was. This class has taught me so much in such a short period of time that I am going to be majoring in Communications PR to learn more about media and where it will be in our future.

What have I learned in this class?

Throughout the year I have learned many things about the media. I learned about a number of media pioneers and also how the media affects the general public. The media has a greater affect on people than they know. Peoples decisions and choices are somewhat based on the media. The media influences us in all aspects of our life. When we see a commercial for Burger King we begin to crave it. We eventually end up going to Burger King if we can’t control these cravings. Or at the least we will get up and eat something. I’ve also learned how the media relates to press and reporting. The fourth estate as it’s sometimes called helps unveil the corruption in the U.S. Sometimes called the fourth branch of government, it helps our country run smoothly. I’ve also learned the change over time from print to the internet. With blogs and newspapers online there’s little need for printed papers. Newspaper companies have been slowly going out of business. There’s simply no more need for newspapers with the internet prevailing. The media is all over and is an important part of our nation. I’ve learned all the different aspects of the media and how they are used. Overall, I’ve learned a lot about the media and hopefully can now utilize what I’ve learned.