Com 101 Midterm
(13.7) Describe how hegemony applies to different aspects of global culture.
Cultural hegemony refers to the power of the dominant culture to overshadow and even overtake local cultures.
(4.5) Describe the decline of the newspaper industry.
Financial challenges have led to the rise of ever-growing newspaper chains and the creation of JOAs. Nevertheless, newspapers continue to fold and lay off staff.
(1.7) Determine how Internet culture now allows creators to bypass gatekeepers and determine the potential effects this will have.
However, this democratization has its downsides. An abundance of mass communication without some form of filtration can lead to information overload. Additionally, online reviews can be altered or biased.
(4.4) Describe two ways that newspapers control stories.
Newspapers control which stories are told by selecting which articles make it to print. They also control how stories are told by determining the way in which information is presented to their readers.
(16.3) Describe the disadvantages of modern media delivery methods.
Not all web pages are reliable sources of information; many are subject to user error (for example, on sites such as Wikipedia) or bias. The Internet also has economic disadvantages; it widens the digital divide between those who have access to the technology and those who do not (usually older people, people of lower economic means or educational status, or people in developing countries with poor infrastructure), and causes problems for traditional media, which are finding it difficult to profit from digital technology.
14.4 Differentiate between copyright infringement and fair use.
Rules that distinguish copyright violation from fair use are not always entirely clear and have been the subject of debate now that a greater amount of copyrighted work is easily accessible via the Internet. Works enter the public domain once their copyright has expired, at which point they can be altered, copied, and distributed freely. ◦ Because of numerous changes in U.S. copyright laws, some works have entered the public domain earlier than others. ◦ According to the U.S. government, when distinguishing between fair use and copyright infringement, there are four things to consider: whether or not the use is for profit, the nature of the copyrighted work, the percentage of the copyrighted material being used, and the effect of that use on the value of the copyrighted work
(3.6) Define print-on-demand and self-publishing.
Self-publishing used to carry a social stigma as well as a high cost. Thanks to print-on-demand services, self-publishing is an increasingly popular option for amateur and professional writers. It appeals to authors who may have a niche audience or who want more control over their work. Print- on-demand makes it possible for books to never go out of print.
(16.4) Determine popular trends in social networking.
Social networking sites continue to grow in popularity; Facebook is the largest social networking site on the web with more than 400 million users worldwide. Social gaming is a popular trend on networking sites, and many users are not typical video game players; instead, they fit the female over-40 demographic. Developers generate revenue from social networking sites by charging gamers real money for bonuses or virtual goods. Microblogging is another popular social networking trend. Key events around the world are often reported on microblog Twitter first by users who experience the events firsthand. Business owners use Twitter to connect with their customers more effectively. Celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher are media savvy and use Twitter to promote worthy causes. Digital experts predict social networking will become more exclusive in the future, with people filtering out clutter from unwanted sources.
(4.5) Identify newspapers with high circulations.
Some key players in the U.S. newspaper market include the USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and the Chicago Tribune.
(3.5) Identify the causes and results of price wars in the book industry.
Stores that sell a large volume of books are able to negotiate favorable terms with book publishers and they are then able to pass along deep discounts to their customers. Smaller independent bookstores are not able to do this, and so are less economically competitive. Recent price wars have erupted among online retailers like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Target, who competed to sell books and e-books at prices so low they amounted to a net loss per sale. Retailers used these sales to drive business to their websites and to encourage customers to buy other products.
(13.5) Determine how switching costs influence the information economy.
Switching costs and economies of scale play major roles in the information economy. The former helps determine whether a new technological format will take hold, and the latter encourages the growth of large media conglomerates.
(13.6) Identify three ways that technology has helped speed globalization.
Technology allows for quick communication, transport, and mass marketing, greatly contributing to a globalized marketplace.
(13.4) Identify difficulties that face those without adequate Internet access in developed countries.
Those without Internet access are essentially left out of much of the new economy. A lack of computer skills or Internet access can make it very difficult to find jobs. Computer skills are required for many jobs, so a lack of those skills may restrict someone to low-paying work.
(1.7) Determine the influence of tastemakers in traditional media.
Traditionally, pop culture hits were initiated or driven by the active support of media tastemakers. When mass media is concentrated, people with access to platforms for mass communication wield quite a bit of power in what becomes well known, popular, or even infamous. Ed Sullivan's wildly popular variety TV show in the 1950s and 1960s served as a star-making vehicle and a tastemaker of that period.
(13.5) Determine how a company might use vertical integration.
Vertical integration occurs when a company controls all aspects of an industry: procuring raw materials, manufacturing, and delivering. Media companies benefit from vertical integration, but the practice raises numerous ethical issues.
(4.4) Define watchdog journalism.
Watchdog journalism is an investigative approach to reporting that aims to inform citizens of occurrences in government and businesses.
(16.2) Explain why the Internet has become a primary source of news and information.
When a big news story breaks, digital media sources have the advantage of speed over traditional media sources—but are not yet considered completely accurate or trustworthy.
(1.8) List the five key considerations about any media message.
When analyzing media messages, consider the message's author, format, audience, content, and purpose.
(5.3) Identify the change in regional and widespread advertising that occurred in the early 1900s.
When magazines began distributing nationwide, advertising underwent significant changes. Advertisers took advantage of the widespread audience and started marketing national trends. Advertising costs skyrocketed, as individuals across the country would now see and be influenced by the ads in magazines.
(8.4) Describe the effects of piracy on the movie industry.
With the rise of digital filming technology and online movies, movie piracy has become an increasing concern for Hollywood.
5 Core Concepts of media literacy
1) All media messages are constructed 2) media messages are constructed using a creative language with its own rules 3) different people experience the same media message differently 4) media have embedded values and points of view 5) most media messages are organized to gain profit and/or power
(1.4) Name the five types of convergence identified by Henry Jenkins.
1. Economic convergence occurs when a company controls several products or services within the same industry. 2. Organic convergence is what happens when someone is watching a television show online while exchanging text messages with a friend and also listening to music in the background—the "natural" outcome of a diverse media world. 3. Cultural convergence has several aspects. Stories flowing across several kinds of media platforms is one component (ex: The character Harry Potter exists in books, films, toys, and amusement park rides.) 4. Global convergence is the process of geographically distant cultures influencing one another despite the distance that physically separates them. 5. Technological convergence is the merging of technologies such as the ability to watch TV shows online on sites like Hulu or to play video games on mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
(1.3) Identify 4 roles the media preforms in society
1. Entertaining and providing an outlet for the imagination 2. Educating and informing 3. Serving as a public forum for the discussion of important issues 4. Acting as a watchdog for government, business, and other institutions
5 key questions of media literacy
1. Who created this message? 2. What creative techniques are used to attract my attention? 3. How might different people understand this message differently than me? 4. What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message? 5. Why is this message being sent?
(1.6) Identify recent cultural periods.
A cultural period is a time marked by a particular way of understanding the world through culture and technology. Changes in cultural periods are marked by fundamental changes in the way we perceive and understand the world. The Modern Age began after the Middle Ages and lasted through the early decades of the 20th century, when the Postmodern Age began.
(8.4) Recognize the role the major Hollywood studios have in shaping the movie industry today
A film's performance at the box office is often directly related to the studio marketing budget that backs it.
(5.5) Explain the impact of advertisements on story.
Advertisers, which provide approximately half of all magazine revenue, maintain some control over the magazine industry by threatening to pull ads from magazines that print stories that are considered too racy, too political, or not consistent with their belief
(14.3) Summarize the effects of bias in news presentations.
All new stories contain some bias because of the diversity of journalists perspectives. news media is often criticized for representing a political bias in reporting, ethical journalists always strive to present issues in a fair and comprehensive way.
(1.5) Identify two limitations on free speech that are based on social values.
American culture puts a high value on free speech; however, other societal values sometimes take precedence. Shifting ideas about what constitutes obscenity, a kind of speech that is not legally protected by the First Amendment, is a good example of how cultural values impact mass communication—and of how those values change over time. Copyright law, another restriction put on free speech, has had a similar evolution over the nation's history.
(16.4) Explain the use and appeal of electronic applications.
Applications for smartphones and tablet computers such as the iPad are hugely popular, offering consumers numerous shortcuts to their favorite websites in addition to games and services. Two current trends are location-sharing applications, facilitated by the GPS functionality on modern smartphones, and cross-media applications such as those that tie in with particular TV shows, celebrities, or music radio stations.
(8.3) Recognize how movies reflect cultural attitudes, trends, and events.
As products of mass culture, movies reflect cultural attitudes, trends, and concerns: 1. D. W. Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation, presenting a racist perspective on the U.S. Civil War and its aftermath, reflected racist concerns of the era in which it was produced. 2. During World War II, films reflected the patriotic, prowar sentiments of the time. 3. In the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of an antiestablishment youth culture, movies adopted more liberal stances toward sexuality and violence and displayed a cynicism toward established social structures.
(8.4) Identify the major economic concerns involved in the production and distribution of films.
Because of high marketing and production costs, the major studios have increasingly come to rely on blockbuster films to keep themselves profitable.
(3.5) Indicate the effect of blockbuster syndrome on the publishing industry
Blockbuster syndrome refers to the publishing industry's focus on books with best-seller potential at the expense of works that may not sell as well. Fueled by high advances that depend on high publicity budgets for high sales, less-popular authors often get lost in the shuffle. Such a system evaluates books on the basis of their commercial potential instead of their literary merit. Fed up with what they see as the industry's exclusive focus on blockbusters, some authors are turning away from the Big Six publishers and are opting for different publishing models.
(3.5) Recognize how book superstores have changed the business of bookselling.
Book superstores rose to prominence in the 1990s because their low prices, large selection, and upscale atmosphere made them popular with book buyers. As a result, large numbers of independent bookstores closed. In recent years, the book superstores have been losing market share to large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Costco. These stores don't focus on selling books, and so they only have the shelf space for a few best sellers, thus helping to fuel the blockbuster syndrome. Additionally, brick-and-mortar stores are coming under threat from Amazon and other online retailers.
14.4 Explain concerns related to surveillance and personal privacy rights introduced by the Internet.
Concerns about the public's right to privacy have increased in recent years, as more personal information has become available online. ◦ Every time someone makes a purchase, performs a web search, accesses a web page, downloads files, sends an e-mail, or engages in social networking, that information is stored in a computer and may be accessed by third parties under certain conditions. ◦ The USA PATRIOT Act, passed after the September 11, 2001, attacks, has broadened the federal government's rights to access individuals' personal records. ◦ Civil liberties organizations are concerned about clauses of the Patriot Act, such as the one that stipulates that the government can wiretap Internet communications as long as intelligence gathering is a significant purpose of the investigation.
(8.5) Recognize the role the DVD market plays in the economics of moviemaking.
DVD sales and rentals account for about a third of film revenues. Some films are released straight to DVD without ever appearing in theaters.
(13.4) Identify ways that digital communication is changing international economics, particularly in developing countries.
Digital communication allows workers in developing countries with adequate infrastructure to perform remote computer tasks
(9.3) Explain the influence of sponsors on program content.
During the 1950s, the cost of producing a single television show increased as shows became longer and production costs soared. Sponsorship on network television shifted from single sponsorship, in which a program was entirely supported and produced by one advertiser, to multiple sponsorship, in which advertisers bought 1- or 2-minute spots on the show. Although no one advertiser controlled the content of the show, sponsors had some say in the program's subject matter. Sponsors have retained some control over program content by withdrawing funding from shows that are deemed to have offensive or inappropriate content.
(5.3) Describe the backlash against pulp magazines in the 1930s.
During the 20th century, new types of magazines—such as literary magazines, pulp magazines, fan magazines, teen magazines, and celebrity magazines—all contributed to shared pop culture
(1.4) Identify examples of convergence in contemporary life.
Ex 1) Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is involved in book publishing (HarperCollins), newspapers (New York Post, The Wall Street Journal), sports (Colorado Rockies), broadcast television (Fox), cable television (FX, National Geographic Channel), film (20th Century Fox), Internet (MySpace), and many other media. Ex 2) Organic convergence is what happens when someone is watching a television show online while exchanging text messages with a friend and also listening to music in the background—the "natural" outcome of a diverse media world. Ex 3) novels that become television series (True Blood); radio dramas that become comic strips (The Shadow); even amusement park rides that become film franchises (Pirates of the Caribbean). The character Harry Potter exists in books, films, toys, and amusement park rides. Ex 4) Nigeria's cinema industry, nicknamed Nollywood, takes its cues from India's Bollywood, which is in turn inspired by Hollywood in the United States. Tom and Jerry cartoons are popular on Arab satellite television channels. Successful American horror movies The Ring and The Grudge are remakes of Japanese hits. Ex 5) When more and more different kinds of media are transformed into digital content, as Jenkins notes, "we expand the potential relationships between them and enable them to flow across platforms (Jenkins, 2001).
(13.6) Describe some advances that can be made in foreign markets.
Foreign markets offer excellent profit potential as they contribute to media companies' economies of scale. The addition of new audiences and consumer markets may help a company build a global following in the long run.
(1.5) Explain the role of the gatekeeper in mass media.
Gatekeepers influence culture by deciding which stories are considered newsworthy. Gatekeepers can promote social values either consciously or subconsciously. The digital age has lessened the power of gatekeepers somewhat, as the Internet allows for nearly unlimited space to cover any number of events and stories; furthermore, a new gatekeeper class has emerged on the Internet as well.
(14.2) Explain the importance of racial and gender diversity in mass media.
In American mass media, where the White male perspective is still presented as the standard, stereotypes of those who differ—women, ethnic minorities, and gays and lesbians—are an issue of ethical concern. • Racial minorities are often absent, peripheral, or stereotyped in film, television, print media, advertising, and video games. • Racial stereotypes occur in news reporting, where they influence public perceptions.
(6.4) Describe the role played by independent labels in the music industry.
Indie record labels are smaller labels that operate without financial assistance from the Big Four and typically produce less commercially viable music. Although they do not have the marketing and promotional power of the major labels, indies have several advantages. They are smaller and more flexible than major labels, enabling them to respond more quickly to trends in the industry. Indies are also able to tap into niche markets, and their simple structure often means that the music stays closer to the artist's original vision. Major labels often allow high-profile stars to set up their own indie labels, known as vanity labels because they reflect the personal musical tastes of the high- profile artist.
(1.8) Describe the role of individual responsibility and accountability when responding to pop culture.
Individual responsibility is crucial for media literacy because, while media messages may be produced by individuals, companies, governments, or organizations, they are always received and decoded by individuals.
(4.6) Describe two ways in which online reporting may outperform traditional print reporting.
Internet reporting outperforms traditional print journalism both with its ability to break news as it happens and through its lack of space limitations. Still, nonprofessional Internet news is not subject to checks for credibility, so some readers and journalists remain skeptical.
(1.3) Recognize events that affected the adoption of mass media.
Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press enabled the mass production of media, which was then industrialized by Friedrich Koenig in the early 1800s. These innovations led to the daily newspaper, which united the urbanized, industrialized populations of the 19th century. In the 20th century, radio allowed advertisers to reach a mass audience and helped spur the consumerism of the 1920s—and the Great Depression of the 1930s. After World War II, television boomed in the United States and abroad, though its concentration in the hands of three major networks led to accusations of homogenization. The spread of cable and subsequent deregulation in the 1980s and 1990s led to more channels, but not necessarily to more diverse ownership.
(13.7) Analyze the ways that local cultures respond to outside forces.
Local cultures can respond to outside forces in many ways. In some circumstances, there may be a backlash against what can be seen as a hostile culture. However, cultures such as India have adopted American cultural and economic ideas to create a hybrid of foreign business models and local cultures.
(5.5) Describe how the formats of newspapers and magazines differ.
Magazine formats offer more space for coverage than newspapers. This increased space permits greater coverage and can give readers more in-depth information about events.
(6.4) Assess the influence of the major record labels in the music industry.
Major record labels make up over 85 percent of the music industry. Currently, the four major record labels (known as the Big Four) are EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group.
(1.2) Difference of Mass Media and Mass Communication
Mass Communication: refers to information transmitted to large segments of the population. Mass Media: specifically refers to a means of communication that is designed to reach a wide audience.
(1.2) Identify key points in American Media and Culture
Mass communication refers to a message transmitted to a large audience; the means of transmission is known as mass media. Many different kinds of mass media exist and have existed for centuries. Both the messages and the media affect culture, which is a diffused collection of behaviors, practices, beliefs, and values that are particular to a group, organization, or institution. Culture and media exert influence on each other in subtle, complex ways.
(13.7) Identify the attributes of McDonaldization.
McDonaldization is characterized by efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. These four attributes—more than any specific cultural ideas—are the primary features of globalized American businesses.
(13.2) Describe the differences between the two ways in which media receives revenue.
Media companies employ two main methods of generating revenue. Advertising builds income by selling time or space where a viewer will see it. Consumers may also provide a direct revenue stream by purchasing a good or service.
(13.6) Explain how media outlets employ globalization to their advantage.
Media economies of scale achieve much larger profit margins by using digital technology to sell information instantly over a global market.
(1.8) Define media literacy.
Media literacy, or the ability to decode and process media messages, is especially important in today's media-saturated society. Media surrounds contemporary Americans to an unprecedented degree and from an early age. Because media messages are constructed with particular aims in mind, a media-literate individual will interpret them with a critical eye. Advertisements, bias, spin, and misinformation are all things to look for.
(16.3) Describe the advantages of modern media delivery methods.
Modern media delivery has numerous advantages, including the speed at which content is delivered, the widespread reach of the Internet, and the low cost—most online content is free. The sheer amount of information available online has caused many critics to claim the information overload is bad for people's health; however, studies have not substantiated this theory. Online media delivery enables a wide range of voices and perspectives to be heard via blogs and social networking sites. These sites are also changing the way knowledge is consumed: from a one-way system (for example, through passively reading newspaper articles) to a dynamic process that involves an entire online community.
(14.3) Identify the important characteristics of reliable journalism.
Most journalistic codes of ethics are based on the premise that the news media exists to provide citizens with the information they need to function in a free and democratic society. Journalists should conform to several ethical obligations: ◦ Present news stories that inform and serve the needs of citizens. ◦ Present issues fairly. ◦ Present stories in a way that addresses their complexity. ◦ Present diverse perspectives. ◦ Monitor government and corporations.
(8.3) Indicate how movies influence culture.
Movies shape cultural attitudes and customs, as audiences adopt the attitudes and styles of the characters they watch on screen. Filmmakers may use their movies to influence cultural attitudes toward certain social issues, as in Fahrenheit 9/11 and Super Size Me.
(16.1) Explain why new media is often more successful than traditional forms of media.
New media frequently trumps traditional media for three main reasons: It is more immediate, it is often free, and it can reach a wider number of people
(16.1) Describe the types of new media.
New media includes all forms of communication in the digital world, including electronic video games, the Internet, and social media.
14.4 Identify plagiarism and copyright concerns introduced by the Internet.
Plagiarism is also a growing concern because of the ease of copying and pasting texts from online sources into computer documents. It is important to keep in mind that plagiarism and copyright infringement are different issues: Plagiarism involves not giving credit to a work's creator, whereas copyright deals with the legality of using a created work.
(1.6) Explain the ways that the postmodern era differs from the modern era.
Postmodernity differed from modernity in its questioning of reason, rejection of grand narratives, and emphasis on subcultures. Rather than searching for one ultimate truth that could explain all of history, the postmodernists focused on contingency, context, and diversity.
(4.6) Explain the greatest challenges newspapers face as they transition to online journalism.
Print newspapers face increasing challenges from online media, particularly amateur blogs and professional online news operations
(1.5) Identify examples of propaganda in mass media.
Propaganda is a type of communication that attempts to persuade the audience for ideological, political, or social purposes. Some propaganda is obvious, explicit, and manipulative; however, public relations professionals borrow many techniques from propaganda and they try to influence their audience.
(9.3) Describe the major trends among the broadcasting and cable networks.
Public television was created to enhance citizenship and also to provide a television service for people in rural areas or those who could not afford to pay for a private television service. Despite its origins as a noncommercial entity, public television has increasingly had to turn to commercial sponsorship to stay afloat. Government funding for public television has declined over the years, and competition from niche cable channels has rendered its future uncertain.
(7.4) Describe the effects of radio on the spread of different types of music.
Radio encouraged the growth of national popular music stars and brought regional sounds to wider audiences. The effects of early radio programs can be felt both in modern popular music and in television programming.
(7.4) Analyze radio as a form of mass media.
Radio was unique as a form of mass media because it had the potential to reach anyone, even the illiterate. Radio news in the 1930s and 1940s brought the emotional impact of traumatic events home to the listening public in a way that gave the nation a sense of unity.
(7.5) Identify the development of new radio technologies.
Radio's flexibility as a medium has allowed it to adjust to the fluctuations of audience tastes and markets.
(9.2) Identify ways in which American culture is reflected on television.
Television has been reflecting changing cultural values since it first gained popularity after World War II. During the 1950s, most programs ignored current events and political issues in favor ofndly domestic comedies, which featured White suburban middle-class families. Extreme stress during the 1960s, caused by political events such as the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, led people to turn to escapist television offered by fantasy sitcoms. These provided a sharp dichotomy with the hard-news shows of the era. Social consciousness during the 1970s prompted television producers to reflect changing social attitudes regarding single parenthood, women's roles, and divorce, and sitcom families began to reflect the increasing number of non-nuclear families in society. The increasing popularity of cable TV in the 1980s led to an explosion of news and entertainment channels, some of which raised concerns about the levels of violence on television. During the 1990s and 2000s, TV networks became more specialized, catering to niche markets in order to meet the needs of an increasingly fragmented audience.
(4.4) Describe how television has impacted journalistic styles.
Television has not only contributed to the decline of readership for newspapers but has also impacted visual and journalistic styles. Newspapers, such as USA Today, have been profoundly affected by the television industry. USA Today caters to television watchers by incorporating large images and short stories, while primarily employing the present tense to make it seem as though the story is unfolding before the reader.
(9.2) Identify ways in which television affects the development of American culture.
Television reflects cultural values, and it also influences culture. One example of this is the polarization of cable TV news, which is no longer centrist but caters to individual political tastes. Critics argue that this influences cable news viewers' opinions and makes them less open to opposing political viewpoints. Entertainment programs also play an influential role within society. By portraying controversial relationships such as single parents or gay couples as acceptable, TV shows have the power to shape viewers' attitudes. In recent years, broadcasters have created the concept of the instant celebrity through the genre of reality television. Contestants on reality TV shows now permeate every aspect of culture and the media, from the music charts to popular magazines and newspapers.
(13.3) Summarize the purpose and impact of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
The DMCA exempts Internet service providers from liability in policing their own services for illegal downloads. However, it also enacts copyright protection for digital media, thereby allowing copyright holders to send takedown notices. As long as they profess a good-faith belief that the works were not used with permission, the recipient is generally required to take them down.
(7.4) Analyze the effects of the Fairness Doctrine on political radio.
The Fairness Doctrine was created to ensure fair coverage of issues over the airwaves. It stated that radio stations must give equal time to contrasting points of view on an issue. An enormous rise in the popularity of AM talk radio occurred after the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine in 1987.
(13.3) Recognize the ways synergy is used on the Internet.
The Internet has allowed media companies to synergize their content, broadcasting the same ideas and products across multiple platforms. This significantly helps with reducing relative first copy costs because the Internet's marginal costs are minimal.
(14.3) Describe the role of media in delivering news to the public.
The Internet has brought about profound and rapid changes in the structuring, delivery, and economics of news media. ◦ Immediate news delivery has become the norm. ◦ The pressure for immediate delivery increases the tension between factual accuracy and "getting there first" in news reporting. Because people can get instant news for free online, subscriptions to print media are down, and so are advertising revenues.
(16.4) Describe the concept of membership-only websites that cater to specific audiences.
The Internet is moving in a more exclusive direction through membership-only sites such as Thrillist, which cater to specific audiences via subscription newsletters. Micro magazines such as Fearless, which target very specific audiences and are distributed via e-mail or RSS feed, are also becoming more popular.
(1.6) Identify the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the modern era.
The Modern Age was marked by Enlightenment philosophy, which focused on the individual and placed a high value on rational decision making. This period saw the wide expansion of capitalism, colonialism, democracy, and science-based rationalism. The Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, the American and French Revolutions, and World War I were all significant events that took place during the Modern Age. One of the most significant, however, was the Industrial Revolution; its emphasis on routinization and efficiency helped society restructure itself similarly.
(1.7) Identify the ways the digital age is undermining the traditional role of tastemakers.
The digital age, with its proliferation of accessible media, has undermined the traditional role of the tastemaker. In contrast to the traditional media, Internet-based mass media are not limited by time or space, and they allow bloggers, critics, or aspiring stars to potentially reach millions without the backing of the traditional media industry.
(9.4) Describe the difference between satellite television and cable television.
The first satellite television signal was broadcast in 1962; however, the television industry did not begin utilizing satellites for broadcasting purposes until the late 1970s. Early problems with satellite TV included the high cost of a satellite dish and the theft of satellite signals following the passing of the Cable Act in 1984. Once piracy was under control, satellite television companies began to emerge and become profitable. The two biggest current satellite television providers are DirecTV, which targets its services toward affluent consumers, and Dish Network, which targets lower-earning consumers. Since the 1999 legislation enabled satellite companies to broadcast local channels, satellite TV has become a viable threat to cable. Satellite companies attempt to lure cable customers by offering premium channels, sports and movie packages, and competitive prices.
(8.5) Identify the impact of home-entertainment technology on the motion picture industry.
The introduction of the VCR in the late 1970s made home movie viewing easy. The VCR was replaced by DVD technology in the late 1990s, which is currently being replaced by Blu-ray Disc technology.
(14.2) List some common concerns about sexual content in the media.
The issue of sexual content in the media has become a source of concern to media critics because of the frequency with which it occurs and also because of the unrealistic way it is portrayed.
(1.4) Recognize how convergence is affecting culture and society.
The jury is still out on how these different types of convergence will affect people on an individual and societal level. Some theorists believe that convergence and new-media technologies make people smarter by requiring them to make decisions and interact with the media they're consuming; others fear the digital age is giving us access to more information but leaving us shallower.
(7.4) Formulate opinions on controversial issues in radio.
The need for radio stations to generate revenue places practical limits on what radio personalities can say on the air. Shock jocks like Howard Stern and Don Imus test, and sometimes exceed, these limits and become controversial figures, highlighting the tension between freedom of speech and the need for businesses to be profitable.
(13.4) Evaluate the relative success of various plans for closing the "digital divide."
The plan to close the digital divide for the next billion people unconnected to the Internet effectively capitalizes on existing resources; however, plans such as the One Laptop per Child project work to provide a comprehensive hardware and software solution for everyone who lacks Internet access.
(16.1) Identify how the Internet has affected media delivery.
The prevalence of the Internet in modern daily life affects us in nearly every way, from how we receive our news, to the way we do business, conduct research, contact friends and relatives, apply for jobs, and even how we watch TV.
(13.2) Identify the business models of several media industries.
The print, recorded music, and film industries are generally oligopolies; television is generally monopolistic competition; and live event ticketing is essentially a monopoly.
(6.3) Identify ways in which culture and music have influenced each other.
The relationship between music and culture is reciprocal. Cultural influences on music include factors such as migration, youth culture, and racial integration. Musical influences on culture include factors such as racism within the music industry, content of particular genres of music that push conventional ideas of morality, and the physical appearance of individual performers.
(1.3) Explain how different technological transitions have shaped media industries.
The telegraph was the first way to send messages in not a physical form then it went to airways with radios, television, etc. Transitions from one technology to another have greatly affected the media industry, although it is difficult to say whether technology caused a cultural shift or resulted from it. The ability to make technology small and affordable enough to fit into the home is an important aspect of the popularization of new technologies.
(13.5) Summarize the tenets of the three major founding pieces of antitrust legislation.
The three founding pieces of antitrust legislation were the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890), which laid the foundation of antitrust legislation; the Clayton Antitrust Act (1911), which allowed the government to regulate the purchase of a company's stock; and the Celler-Kefauver Act (1950), which allowed the government to regulate the purchase of another company's assets.
(13.2) Identify the three basic media business models.
The three main media business models are monopoly, oligopoly, and monopolistic competition.
(1.4) Cultural Imperialism
defined by Herbert Schiller as the way developing countries are "attracted, pressured, forced, and sometimes bribed into shaping social institutions to correspond to, or even promote, the values and structures of the dominating centre of the system (White, 2001).
(9.4) Identify ways in which the Internet has affected content delivery and viewing patterns.
the World Wide Web is changing content delivery methods and the way people conceive television and program scheduling. New viewing outlets such as YouTube and Hulu enable viewers to watch online video clips, entire episodes of TV shows, and movies free of charge (although Hulu also offers paid content with a wider selection of programs to offset the losses in network advertising revenue). Video-on-demand services, now available through most cable and satellite providers, allow viewers to order movies or TV programs at their convenience, rather than having to adhere to a fixed programming schedule. VOD is also available through Internet sites such as Amazon.com and Netflix, allowing people to stream shows and video clips to their smartphones and watch television while on the go. Thanks to the influence of the Internet, television is becoming more interactive, with providers combining aspects of traditional viewing and online content. This is manifested in two ways: new features that provide viewers with hundreds of additional options while they watch their favorite shows (for example, the ability to look up a news story or get a weather update), and social television, which encourages viewers to combine TV viewing with social networking
(1.4) Participatory Culture
the way media consumers are able to annotate, comment on, remix, and otherwise influence culture in unprecedented ways.
(3.6) Determine the benefits and drawbacks of digital libraries.
• E-books have been increasing in popularity with customers since the 1990s. However, the publishing industry is worried that setting the price for e-books at $9.99, as Amazon initially did for most titles, would turn consumers away from buying more expensive physical books. Amazon lost money on every $9.99 e-book but hoped that the low prices would act as an incentive to buy its e-book reader, the Kindle device. In 2010, Macmillan and other publishers forced Amazon to change its pricing model to give publishers more control over e-book prices. • Digital libraries began with Project Gutenberg in 1971. Digitized books allow anyone with an Internet connection access to millions of volumes, and some advocates hope that digital libraries will lead to a rise in global literacy rates. Millions of books in the public domain are available for free download. Google Books, the largest digital library, has run into trouble with its plan to digitize as many books as possible, even books under current copyright. The Open Book Alliance accuses Google of monopolizing copyrighted content to make a profit.
(7.5) Distinguish the differences between satellite radio, HD radio, Internet radio, and podcasting.
• Satellite radio is a subscription-based service, while HD radio is provided at no cost by current radio providers. • Internet radio and podcasting have allowed many new programs and stations to be broadcast at low cost
(8.5) Describe the impact of digital cinematography on the film industry.
• Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) was the first big-budget film to be recorded digitally. Since then, many more films have been made with digital cinematography. However a full- scale industry change has been gradual, mainly because of the costs of conversion. • Three-dimensional movies were a fad in the 1950s. In recent years, because of improved technologies, 3-D movies have seen a resurgence.
(10.5) Describe controversial issues related to modern video games.
• Video game violence has been an issue since the 1976 game Death Race. The potential of video games to simulate murder created a new issue in entertainment media. • A great number of news stories link video games with violent crimes. Studies have found a correlation between aggressive behavior and video games, but critics claim that these studies do not prove that video games cause violent acts.
