Week 13- Final blog entry- Reflection

Blog Reflection

This is my final blog entry for the course IPD, in this post I will summarise the blogging process and provide links to other blogging communities.

Over the time of this course I have collected weekly media articles and transcripts from the Media Liftout from the Australian and the ABC Media Report. This has been a very enjoyable process and I feel enthusiastic about how up-to-date I am with current media issues. There have been significant issues which relate to the course work for IDP and some that have not been related but have still been very interesting to anaylise.

This blog has been useful for imporving my anaylitical skills as well as learning to write in a specific style to make this blog as useful to the reader as possible- this has invloved eliminating complicated phrases and writing in a more informal langugae. Additionally, it has given me the change to engage and observe other blogging communitites such as "Twitter" and"Facebook". This has also been enjoyable and i will be able to use these blogging communities to further develop my professional blogging skills in order to make use of them in the future communications careers.

I hope you have enjoyed viewing these regular blog posts- bye for now!

Links to blogging communities:
http://blog.twitter.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

Week 12 Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
October 27 2008

Item selected for comment
"James Packer quits PBL Media board", by Michael Sainsbury

Quick comment
This article is annoucing the depature of leading media individual James Packer from the media group PBL who was in charge of Channel Nine's, magazine group ACP, the website ninemsn and internet automotive website Carsales.com.au. This decision was made as a result of the current financial crisis and Packer has found himself in a huge amount of loss. The media group itself has are approximatley "$4.2 billion indebt and the interest payments are consuming all the company's profits leading some financial analyst to value the group at zero", (Sainsbury, 2008).
Additionally, this decision to step down will result in Andrew Cummins and Ben Hawter replacing Packer's position in PBL.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
The article itself is significant from a pulic relations perspective as Sainsbury has made an effort to target a general audiece by using straight forward language to effectively inform people on the situation, without stimulating any alarm. Also the context of the article is relevant to the current financial crisis and shows how major companies may be affected.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references

For further information please refer to the original article
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24557737-7582,00.html

Wk 11- Media article

ABC media report
Date
16 October 2008

Item selected for comment
"On the record" with Sandra Levy

Quick comment

This report is introducing a new Australian Film, Television and Radio school in Moore Park, Sydney. It is fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for the development of an artistic school, as keeping the arts alive is so important in society today. Ms Levy- the CEO of the school is proposing to enrol a group of one hundred students into a course called the "Foundation Diploma". The school's main aim is to further educate individuals, who have a particular interest in short film and photogrpahy,to take their interest to the next level . This is a great opportunity to give students a kick start to their career straight from high school. The new location is also a major postitve adding to the success of the institute as it is placed right in the middle of the where interest for the arts is booming.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item

The media report has worked towards targeting its audience well as their is a strong focus on the new facilities the school offers . It is clear that Levy's main aim was to attract individuals who are interested in the arts and creative industry to support the new Sydney school. The institution itself will be very helpful for society as it gives the opportunity to better educate students in order to have more eductaed professionals in the creative arts industry for future emplyement. This important as we see on a weekly basis in IPD, how important it is to recognise the arts industry and uphold our professional image.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references

A transcript of the full meida report for this item can be viewed at this link
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2387616.htm

Media Report - longer comment

Another item featured on this week's media report was a comments titled"Surfing the web exercises the brain: scientists". There were numerous positive responses to how it a recent study has proven that surfing the internet can "stimulate parts of the brain that controls decision-making and complex reasoning". My opinion on this issue is that surfing the net can have positive effects when done in moderation, to avoid social neglection. Further information on this can be viewed on the following link- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/15/2391583.htm

Wk 10 Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
October 13 ,2008

Item selected for comment
"Ominous portents as media stocks plunge", by Nick Tabakoff

Quick comment
This article is addressing the recent stock market crisis and how Australia's major media stocks have more than halved since the last Novemeber.Tabakoff also speculates his opinion on the overall financial crisis and states that "most economists still expect Australia to avoid a recession". However he also revelas that 300,000 jobs could potentially be lost as a result of the less than 1 percent predicted growth fromthe National Australia Bank. Furthermore, the article highlights that there are doubts to whether advertising can be sustained due to the plummeting media share prices. Fairfax is also mentined as a compmay who has already implemented some strategies to help assis with financial issues. It is also an alarmaing fact that channel 7 has dropped in value and is now worth less than $1.2 billion.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item

These financial issues associated with major media companies highlight that media is an everchaning and unpredictable industry. Yet, there is still so much opportunity for the media to rise above crisis again and overcome this financial crisis. This is one of the skills i hope to develop more on by the time i have graduated from this course.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
More on the financial crisis and how our Australian Prime Minister is planning ahead for it can be viewed on the following link-
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/business/rudd-seeks-financial-overhaul/2008/09/26/1222217461550.html
Other blogging communities i am associated with:
I have just signed up with Twitter in order to become more familiar with professional blogging. I am still new to using the facilitites so I am a bit limitted with using the site, however my expirience so far has been succesful and it has been very interesting to view other people's blog entries- especially the blogging item titled "Quiggley- How Twitter is shaping the news".
http://blog.twitter.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

Longer comment from media liftout
The article titled "Ten Network takes prudent amid advertising slowdown" , also from the meida liftout, is related to the previous article as it also shows how the media has been strongly affected financially with a particular focus on channel ten due to their recent deterioration in the advertising market in the fourth quarter. Additionally, there is evident to support that the company has significanlty lost value aswell and declined 10.2 per cent to $215 million.

Wk 9 Media article

ABC media report
Date
Tuesday 30th September 2008, 8.21 AM

Item selected for comment
'Arab world divided over soapie', reporter- Ben Knight

Quick comment
This transcript from the ABC media report discusses the media issue of am Arab television show that has created much controvercy in society. The TV program is called ' Noor and Mohannad' and can be identified as a "phenomenon in the Arab world". The show has actually been produced in Turkey but dubbed into the Arabic language. The report highlights their controversial aspects mainly being that the main characters are Muslims but drink alcohol, go to nightclubs and have non-maritial sex. This is a serious issue that the program is so widely viewed in the Middle East and has the potential to negatiley influence individuals against their religion. This issue relates back to week 7 blog post on the 'Underbelly ' issue as it is another example where a Television show poses a negative threat in society. Furthemore, the report also suggests that perhaps such a program will alter the status of women in Palestinian territories due to this Soapie activities and desire to rebel against religion.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
This is quite a senstive topic and shows that their needs to obviously be some form of audience, context and purpose when producing such a show, due to the religious context of the country-being highly Muslim populated. Also the Field, tenor and mode has not been considered to figure out if the content of the show is appropriate.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
report link: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2377720.htm

Wk 8 Media Article

ABC media report
Date
16 September 2008

Item selected for comment
'Should the government subsidise newspapers?', by Ben Power


Quick comment
This article for the ABC News report is from the persepective of a journalist who has worked at an anonymous newspaper a few years ago. Power presents a negative view towards the management of the company and was "shocked at the treatment of big names in journalism". The article also raises the issue of FairFax Media and how they have urged for government intervention to slow down the quantity of journalism activity as they cannot afford to pay the amount of employed journalists. Therefore, the proposed cut of journalists by FairFax and companies alike seem to be in demand for more quality than quantity. Evidently, the article emphasises that newspapers are undergoing structural change due to finanicial profits declining as a result of the increase of the internet and market failure.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
This article relates to the recent course work on the reading summary theory. When putting the presentation together it was evident that the internet has grown significanlty, therefore, there is more of a need to carefully design webpages. Although newspapers are still popular, it can also be seen in one of my previous blogs that newspapers are seriously declining and i believe that we will one day face a world wich primarily uses digital journalism.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references

Further reading on comments posted about the article- article link: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2365097.htm

Wk 7 Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
September 9, 2008, 2.18 am

Item selected for comment
"Victorians see thier own gangland drama Underbelly at last", by Milanda Rout and Amanda Meade

Quick comment
This article is about the Australian television program, "Underbelly" which was banned from being screened in Victoria due to speculation that the program may cause prejudice againt "the trail of a man accused of murdering gangland figure Lewis Moran". However, the ban was actually lifted in May 2008, following the jury verdict of Evangelos Goussis being found guilty of murdering Moran in March 2004. It can be seen that individuals take what they see on television very seriously, for such a drastic measuring to be taken for this incident. The article also states that "what is seen on television enters directly into the mind of the audience with little opportunity for analysis", (Rout.M and Meade. A, 2008). In conclusion, the firts five episodes which were specially edited for the case were allowed to run on channel Nine and audience rating appearded extremely high Australian wide.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
The idea that people are easily influenced by television programs relates to how narrow minded some people can be, however, it can also be identified that when designing and producing a television serioes the enccessary legal procautions nedd to be taken into account, just like when designing documents, the relevant professional design theories need to be seriously considered.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
This article can be viewed on the following link for further reading-
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24316279-30540,00.html

Genre change assignment audio source hyperlink: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/content/2006/s2335194.htm

Wk 6 Media article

ABC media report
Date
September 4th 2008, 8.30 am, presented by Antony Funnell

Item selected for comment
"The Blogging Revolution", ABC Radio National

Quick comment
The topic of discussion is blogging as a form of mass communication, in particular its beneficial use for China. Antony Loewenstein highlights that it promotes democracy as people are able to publish posts which articulate their opinion and are allowed to discuss issues without being judged as they would in society. The report also mentions other additional countries that use the internet such as Cuba, however, as their internet is less develped and it is also a one party-state, freedom of speech and democracy is very hard to achieve.

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
This media report emphasises how the internet is an important part of communication and it's enableing people to form their own personal opinion in a democratic and non- deomocratic society.
Also the authors are targeting people who are not so fond of the internet today and emphasising a more positive element to it.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
The full transcript can be accessed on the following link-
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2351985.htm

Wk 5 - Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
August 19, 2008

Item selected for comment
'Ad agency to freshen up the image of Australian Post', written by Simon Canning

Quick comment
Canning is highlighting in this article that the marketing managers associated with the Australian Post have a need to communicate the success of the industy to their audiences by upholding a credible image and at the same time make sure that "93 million pieces of mail to 10 million addresses. Therefore, a better apporach to effectively managing both needs to be addressed for the organisation.Furthermore, the elements of building relationships and trust are heavily promoted in public sector and Canning is putting forward that the Australia Post will continue to increase this to promote a more modern image for their organisation. This article also addresses the difficulties of campanies like Australia Post who are struggleling to uphold a modern and fresh image, due to cyberspace organisations being the new "in thing"!


Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
This idea of builiding trust and relationships to establish credibility and positive image relates to the public relations theory i am currently foucusing on. However, it also relates to the recent corse work from our readings which highlight that significant the internet is becoming the organisations.
Showing off my expert ise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references

Wk 4 - Media article

ABC media report
Date
7 August 2008

Item selected for comment
"The Gruen Division", on ABC Radio National

Quick comment

The transcript for this media report reveals that there are definately two sides to the 'Gruen Transfer' program. Mark Champion highlights that the program is "definately creating interest " and more and more people are considering it as a career option. Whereas, others like Peter Biggs feels that the program is simply creating "likability", which is a danger for advertising comapanies, as it demorlaises their credibilty and profession. Additionally, the transcript emphasises that the show is definately a success as they are able to persuade their viewers that marketing is positive, and they are able to do this so effectively because they are at the "communication end of persuasion buisness".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item

The Gruen Transfer clearly demonstrates rhetoric persuassion that invloves ethos, pathos and logos, on the show. This is beacuse it captures the audience with their professional stance, emotional elements of comedy and logical arguments to support thier ideas.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,23811511-13243,00.html

An article written by Peter Biggs, who was metioned in the transcript can be accessed through the above link.

My presentation notes- Reading 7

1. Intro
After reading Parker’s “Designing documents for web distribution”, it is evident that an increasing amount of documents are being produced for web distribution rather than print mediums. As a result of this there is a strong need to design online documents for the “worst possible circumstance”, (Parker, 1990).Hence, as the internet is becoming more commonly used, it is important to always design for onscreen readings.

2. Page Viewing
Parker outlines that the difference between print and onscreen readings can be identified in the limitations to the how the document in viewed.
Print- These documents are known as the “vertical rectangle”, (Parker, 1990) , which are easier to access the entire page without physical movement.
Also each paragraph can be easily identified and clearly linked to the whole of the document.
— Example1 of print document- magazine

3. Page viewing
Onscreen- Documents viewed online are known as “horizontal rectangular” view, meaning they are only part of the page as a whole.
Example 2 – report & online book
“As document magnification increases, less and less of the document is shown, requiring more scrolling”, (Parker 1990).

4. Parker highlights that it is important to keep in mind that documents intended for website distribution maybe read onscreen or printed on paper.
This is why is in necessary to also design for the “worst possible scenario”, (Parker, 2003). Hence, designing texts that can be easily read onscreen and when printed.

5. Design suggestions
This can be achieved by avoiding multicolumn layouts for documents.
— Example- newspaper
— Therefore, it is important to remember to ...
— -Design documents for onscreen reading in single columns
- Also make sure type sizes and line spacing are of appropriate usability, to make up for the long lines of text in single columns.

6. White space
Parker emphasises to avoid filling screen with text by;
◦ Making sure that white space is applied to the left and right of margins of each page.
◦ This adds contrast to the page and includes extra space for additional subheadings.
-As you can see I have used this technique throughout this slideshow to make it more appealing to the eye.

7. White Space
— Additionally, more white space can be created by using 1.5 line spacing in-between lines to add to the overall contrast of the document- “guides eyes from right to left”, (Parker, 1990).
— Also extra space between paragraphs can be used to “open up” pages, allowing an easier to read document.

8. Some Useful tips
· Sub-headings are useful tools to keep the reader informed about what part/section of the document they are reading

— To increase reader usability, make sure that the majority of the online document is black and white, as it is more cost effective and efficient to print.

9. Conclusion
— It is evident from Parkers’ reading that it is necessary to use various techniques in particular;
-single columns - white space
-sub-headings - minimal colour
— To ensure the document can be effectively used for both print and online documents.

Wk 3 Media article and reading review

the media liftout from the Australian
Date

August 15, 2008

Item selected for comment
"National newspapers have risen in circulation while weekly magazines fall", by Jane Schulze

Quick comment
Schulze highlights that there has been a significant growth in the marketing area of national newspapers, yet a significant downfall for weekly magazines. In particular, there was an increase in papers like 'The Australian' and 'The Sydney Morning Herald' and well known magazines such as 'Woman's Day' were seen to have a decrease in sales. However, in my opinion , with the internet becoming such a widespread trend, it is only inevitable that these newspapers would be emphasisng their increase in sales as their is a great threat to their very existance, as more and more papers are becoming published online. I also think it was very biased of 'The Australian' to state in their opening title that," 'The Australian' had the strongest growth of all newspapers".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
The theory covered in my reading for my presentation next week, Reading 7, Parker, 2004, 'Designing documents for web distribution' , was related to reader consuption of documents and how both print and internet documents should be designed effectivly; including white space, page viewing, colour and correct file formats.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
This article stronlgy relates to my reading review, Reading 7, Parker, 2004, 'Designing documents for web distribution' , as it emphasises the importance of designing reader-centered documents for the web as the internet is rapidly increasing.

Wk2- Media article

The media liftout from the Australian
Date
Thursday, June 5, 2008

Item selected for comment
"TV gossip gurus are every woman's gay best friend", by Amanda Meade.

Quick comment
Meade recognises the increasing "gossip gurus", in the Australian media industry . She emphasises that women are drawn to television programs with gay icons an they can relate to them. This is due to the fact that they gossip in the same way that females do but also have the appealing qualitites of a man. Therefore, they get the best of both worlds which evidently promotes the image of having a "gay best friend".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
Symbols- icons: This icon of the TV "gossip gurus" allows the viewer to identify a an appealing visual image in the news presenting world hence, a symbol for the acceptance of gay presenters.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
Reference for reading review:
-Parker, RC, 2003, ‘Designing documents for web distribution’, Looking good in print, 5th edn, Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale AZ, Chapter 14, pp.269-293.

Classmate's URL: marble-marble.blogspot.com, I have posted a comment to this blog address.

Wk 1 Media article

the media liftout from the Australian
Date July 18, 2008

Item selected for comment
Article- By Lara Sinclair "Nothing works as well as free publicity"

Quick comment
The article was about how campaigns are set up to advertise, however are also effective in creating large amounts of publicity. This can be seen as "free publicity" and can be seen as the "new media".

Concepts from my course work that inform my perspective on this item
The forms of media in this article can be identified as newspaper and television news , which are both forms of texts. Texts can be many different forms and incorperate a number of genres. The author has intended this article to be directed at a wide range of publics in order to attract attention on this issue, which highlights how the media is manipulating advertisement to become free publicity. However, the structure of this article was somewhat unclear and fragmented, highlighting the poor design of the author.

Showing off my expertise/wider reading/ability to match up issues, theories and concepts with a longer comment, hyperlinks and references
The article on "free publicity" can be accessed on the following link-
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23922192-13243,00.html

First blog! Wk1

Hey guys!
This is my blog for IDP I intend to use this blog to anaylise artcles from both the Media liftout from the Australian and also the ABC Media report.

The main purpose of this blog is to present my personal opinions and criticisms of current and relevant issues to IDP in the media.


I'm really excited about this course!

Cheers