REFLECTION (THE FINAL POST!)

Image Source: http://www.skepticmoney.com

It has been a fruitful learning experience since I first posted an entry to this blog dated 20th March 2012. In reflection to this course, I gained better understanding of core concepts such as Kress and van Leeuwen (1998) theories on multimodality that uses different semiotic modes perceived differently according to one’s culture to deliver meaning. Other than that, I also learnt that designing a document layout requires a lot of consideration such as graphical elements in a document should be able to bridge cultural boundaries to enhance effective delivery to readers (Shriver, 1997). 

Other than multimodality and issues in document designs, I also acquired extensive knowledge on the types of blogs that are commonly used in the blogging phenomenon. Besides that, I get to categorized sub divisions in the blogging community by applying Nancy White’s three models of blogging communities namely: The Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community, Central Connecting Topic Community and Boundaried Communities. 

Subsequently, topics such as new media ecosystem helped me have further understanding of new publishing forms that exists such as videos that is based on user generated contents in comparison to traditional media. In addition, through the completion of the vlog assignment and magazine spread, I get to familiarize on the differences in print and screen design including small screen genres to satisfy different audience, purpose and context based on a related theme of: Facebook Addiction. 

Lastly, relating concepts for the last four post entries has helped me identify with ethical and cultural considerations and also copyright issues that are present in authentic situational cases that can help in future considerations of publishing materials and its consequences. 

                                                                                                                 (271 Words)

REFERENCE LIST

Kress, G., van Leeuwen, T., 1998, “Front Pages: (The Critical) Analysis of Newspaper Layout”, School of Communication, Information and New Media, (p. 186 – p. 219). Viewed 13th June 2012



Shriver, K. A., 1997, “Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Text for Readers”, Wiley Computer Publishing, (p. 361 – p. 441). Viewed 13th June 2012

MY TAKE ON: British Internet Firms Ordered to Block Pirate Bay

File sharing has been the epitome of computer geeks or rather the general public in sharing content based online such as music, movies and even documents that uses Peer-2-Peer (P2P) distributional methods to one computer onto another. However, Pirate Bay’s issue is closely related to the concept of infringement of copyright regulations. 

According to Ross, copyright regulations were put forward to protect creators of the items as most of them rely on legal marketplace to get paid. Furthermore, the advocators of file sharing sanctions claim to have means to pay those creators (2008). As file sharing has been deemed illegal, the confusion lays in the term of “fair use” and the question remains: isn’t P2P complying with the fair use term? 

Image Source: icoblog.wordpress.com/

In my opinion, fair usage is a broad rule and a common defense dogma used against copyright chargers as file sharing can be done without the permission or acknowledgement of the owner. As mainly the fair use of copyrighted materials are for “transformative” purpose that includes commenting, criticizing and parody a copyrighted work (Stim, 2010). Nonetheless, this defense doctrine boils down to the sole intended purpose of the distributor. In relation to Pirate Bay’s case, Wang exemplifies that: 

“judge the fairness by the objective standard of whether a fair minded and honest person would have dealt with the copyright work in the manner.” 

                                                                                                              (2007, p. 4)

Image Source: http://www.maxishine.com.au

Therefore, file sharing is only legal when it is used for educational purposes only – which would require another scrutiny of the term that made file sharing permissible. Subsequently, another example that is closely related to Pirate Bay’s case is copyright charges inflicted upon Megaupload’s founder Kim Dotcom for massive worldwide online piracy faces the possibility of 50 years of imprisonment if found guilty. 

However; according to Chirgwin (2012), Kim Dotcom’s criminal charges could not be prosecuted as it is not located within the US jurisdiction. Hence, Pirate Bay should reform their copyright purposes in order to prevent howling to the same shadow of Megaupload. 

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REFERENCE LIST

Chirgwin, R., 2012, “Megaupload Case near Collapse: Report”, Theregisteruk.com. Viewed 13th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/23/megaupload_case_in_trouble/


Ross, P., 2008, “Copyright Laws Work Well Against Illegal File Sharing, Also Called Online Theft”, Usnews.com. Viewed 13th June 2012
[Available Online]:
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/12/22/copyright-laws-work-well-against-illegal-file-sharing-also-called-online-theft



Stim, R., 2010, “Getting Permission: What Is Fair Use?”, Stanford University Libraries, Viewed 13th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-a.html



Wang, Y. Y., 2007, “Where Does Fair Use Go? :An Insight into Regulating File-Sharing in Research and Education”, School of Law University of Southampton, (p. 1 – p. 13). Viewed 13th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.bileta.ac.uk/content/files/conference%20papers/2007/Where%20Does%20Fair%20Use%20Go%20---%20An%20Insight%20into%20Regulating%20File-Sharing%20in%20Research%20and%20Education.pdf

MY TAKE ON: The highly sexual art of selling perfume

Image Source: http://popcrush.com

The term “sex sells” does not only have a literal meaning but also a metaphorical take especially when it comes to fragrance advertising that uses women as an object of desire, and as repetitive sex symbols. This article can be linked to the concept of feminism where it can be defined as a culture that practices inequality and women are treated differently from their male counter parts, mainly because they are women (Lewis, 2012). 

In my opinion, portraying a women’s prerogative is part of the pop culture that is also eminent not only in advertising, but including rap videos and products that requires a touch of sexual art. Writing.com also has a similar viewpoint by stating that: 

“Women are portrayed as “objects” in magazine advertisements and on billboards, they are no longer a person selling a product, they are the product, and the actual commodity has become more of an accessory that cannot sell without the female sex object by its side.” 

                                                                                                                             (2008)

Image Source: http://theempressofdress.blogspot.com

Therefore, Madonna’s fragrance, Truth or Dare uses sexual appeal to entice youngsters to buy and “experience” the similar sexiness but this may not be in the good books of feminists who believe that the objectification of women will degrade their worthiness immensely. 

Other than that, the expected increase of sexuality in advertisements has led to the concept of media representation where according to Brooks and Hebert, media representation often than not is powerful enough to create, construct and disseminate gender ideologies in gender socialization (2006, p. 298). 

So, albeit the influence that media holds upon what is in and what is not, the demand for sexuality for product related is high and impossible to ignore. Therefore Mittelmeier suggests that it’s either that this notion can be reversible or we just got to embrace the idea whole-heartedly (2007). 

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REFERENCE LIST

2008, “Female As Sex Symbols In Media”, Writing.com. Viewed 12th June 2012,

[Available Online]:

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1411237-Females-As-Sex-Symbols-In-Media



Brooks, D. E., Hebert, L. P., 2006, “Gender, Race and Media Representation”, Gender and Communication in Mediated Context, (p. 297 – p. 317). Viewed 12th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.afghanjc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/GENDER__RACE__AND_MEDIA_REPRESENTATION.pdf



Lewis, J. J., 2012, “Feminism: What is Feminism?”, About.com. Viewed 12th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/feminism/a/feminism.htm



Mittelmeier, J., 2007, “A Generation of Sex Symbols”, Kansan.com. Viewed 12th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.kansan.com/news/2007/sep/21/sex_symbols/

MY TAKE ON: Home Ministry reprimands The Star over supplement

Considering Malaysia is one of the Asian countries that have three races embedded within the constitution, sensitivity to religions of each race becomes a vital factor when dealing with editorial pull outs of the nation’s main media – newspaper. The issue pertaining the Ramadhan Delights (on the muslim’s holy month) that included non-halal suggestions (restaurants) raises the contestation of different cultural and religious ideologies perceived between the editor of the pull out and of the home ministry.

Image Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com

From my point of view, the dispute was largely due to the different aspects of cultural understanding between races and was done unintentionally. Narvaez et al.’s, outlook on cultural ideology suggests that the basis for the formation of moral thinking is directly link to the norms, values and standards that exists independently share by groups as part of a mutual culture (1999, p. 478). 

In this case; the home ministry was apprehensive that the insensitivity would cause a stir among Muslims in the country during the holy month and will cause confusion as this might lead them to think that the suggested restaurants are halal, compliant to Muslims’ standards. On another note, the editor’s lack of moral thinking during the write up felt that it wasn’t a sensitive issue to begin with – thus expecting fellow Muslim Malaysians would have prior knowledge and self-evident of differences in the offerings. 

Another concept that is relevant to this article is ethical in publications, however how do we determine what is ethical in publishing on a cultural context? According to Sade, it is important to find mutual grounds while acknowledging the importance of respect (2003) in publication of materials and different considerations must be taken into account. Therefore, a write up that is aware of mutual cultural standards may have less turmoil in the future. 

                                                                                                                        (297 Words)

REFERENCE LIST

Narvaez, D., Getz, N., Rest, J. R., Thoma, S. J., 1999, “Individual Moral Judgment and Cultural Ideologies”, American Psychological Association, Vol 35, No. 2, (p. 478 – p. 488) Viewed 11th June 2012.

[Available Online]:

http://www.nd.edu/~dnarvaez/documents/Narvaez99ideo.pdf

Sade, R. M., 2003, “Publication of Unethical Research Studies: The Importance of Informed Consent”, Viewed 11th June 2012.

[Available Online]:

http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/75/2/325

MY TAKE ON: North Korea Restores Order to Kim Funeral With Photoshop

Photoshop can enhance the artistry of an image and provide narrative to the photographs. However; in the world of photojournalism, editing photos (depending on the use) comes in a hefty price of credibility. In relation to this article, North Korea digitally removed footprints to restore absolute order of the lining crowds for Kim’s funeral is associated with the concept of their cultures’ rigid-control of information flow and tight surveillance over their citizens.

From my point of view; because of the country’s communism style of ruling, the government feels the need to “eliminate” disorder and portray the citizen’s entire devotion through the manipulation of images and their media. This is very well supported by Ismail stating that:



“…the media’s primary job is to provide an uninterrupted defence of the regime and its leader… the propaganda also continues to use photos and symbols to promote the regime’s image domestically and internationally.”


                                                                                                                   (2011, p. 10)

Image Source:  http://210527837.blogspot.com/

In addition to that, this issue also brings forward the concept of photojournalism ethics where it is now under the threats of technological alteration – tools such as Photoshop is capable of doing. Ethical principles serves as a guideline to ensure that reporting’s are inclusive, accurate and independent (Baradell, 2012), which is not the primary concern of North Korea’s media structure.

Another local example that also focuses on censorship is Malaysia’s Bersih 3.0 rally where Malaysia’s cable tv provider, Astro has admitted that coverage of the event has been cut to suit local rules. Eventhough internationally it deemed that the content showed are somewhat inaccurate and manipulated, however the company feels that they owned the right to edit contents from international partners (BBC) and channels as it sees fit (Chooi, 2012).

Therefore, Photoshop is not a devious tool but rather the misusage of it that brings the issue of credibility up on deck. The fundamental point of photojournalism is that it does/should not lie - a picture speaks a thousand words, as well as it illustrates to readers what paragraphs can’t do (Beehner, 2008).

                                                                                                                                                      (335 Words)

  

REFERENCE LIST

Baradell, S., 2012, “Photojournalism, Technology and Ethics: What’s Right and Wrong Today?”, Black Star Publishing. Viewed 10^th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://rising.blackstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/photoethics.pdf

 

Beehner, L., 2008, “Photoshop Is Killing Photojournalism”, The Guardian. Viewed 10^th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/16/photography.iran

 

Chooi, C., 2012, “Astro Says BBC’s Bersih Coverage Cut to Suit Local Rules”, The Malaysian Insider. Viewed 10^th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://my.news.yahoo.com/astro-says-bbc-s-bersih-coverage-cut-to-225941188.html

Ismail, B., 2011, “North Korea: Frontiers of Censorship Investigation Report”, International Secretariat Reporters without Boarders , (p. 1 – p. 14). Viewed 10^th June 2012

[Available Online]:

http://en.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/rsf_north-korea_2011.pdf

Screen Vs. Print Design

Regardless of screen or print documents, the most important function or intention for both of these modes is to provide visual communication where it creates relevant arrangement and delivery of text to readers. Hilligoss and Howard also pointed out similar views by stating:

“Visual design contributes to your ethos or credibility. Design that respects readers’ knowledge supports a text’s ethical appeal, while [inapt] format or jarring visual choices may make ... document less credible.”

(2002, p.6)

However it is crucial to identify differences in layout and writing structures of both screen and print document:

Website (Screen)

 

IMAGE 1: Website Layout

(Image source: http://slodive.com , 2011)

The first noticeable consideration in the image above is that it had a lower quality resolution where it is easier for readers with lesser download bit-rate to load the page; however this will compromise the quality and delivery to readers.

Secondly, websites are catered for selective reading and focuses on navigation, different from print. For example the website shows panels and clickable boxes where information relationships are temporary and part of user movement and interaction (Nielsen, 1999).

Lastly, the colour selection for the website background is not aiding the readers as it lacks of attentive focus and will confuse them. The colours would probably work in a magazine rather than on websites.

 

Magazine Spread ( Print Design)

 

IMAGE 2: Magazine Layout

 (Image source: http://penyouin.blogspot.com , 2011)

The first consideration for the spread above is that in comparison to websites, the magazine is more 2-dimensional than 1 dimensional and the layout is paid most attention for as the canvas is much bigger and wider.

Subsequently, magazine uses page turning as a navigation method and it is considered one of printed immense benefit (Nielsen, 1999) and content is controlled by publisher and readers cannot choose what to read as in is interrelated with the next page.

Lastly, the magazine also incorporated framing into the layout as it makes readers easier to read and follow through the course of how it was written. The red ink for the first paragraph depicts the most salient element whereby the element that first draws the viewer's attention (Kress and van Leeuwen, 2006, p. 204). 

REFERENCE LIST:

Hilligoss, S., Howard, T., 2002, “Visual Communication: A Writer’s Guide”, 2^nd edn, Pearson Education Limited, United States of America.

[Available Online]:

http://www.ablongman.com/mycomplab_content/pdf/long_hilligoss.pdf

Kress, G., van Leeuwen, T., 2006, “Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design”, 2^nd edn, Routledge Publications, Great Britain.

Nielsen, J., 1999, “Differences between Print Design and Web Design”, useit.com, Viewed 13^th April 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990124.html