Evaluation of PPD 4

Evaluation

During the process of this semester, the work undertaken has developed my skills in essay writing, critical thinking, research, and has broadened my aspects of key journalism features. The module has also enabled me to think about and develop plans for the future, for both my university experience and thereafter.

During the seminars through the weeks, we have covered many alternative and unusual aspects of thinking and analysis’. Concepts such as Cyberculture, cyber- technology, and design work, have all required me to relate and transpire these aspects into my learning, and also develop my understanding of each.

Claude Lexi-Stauss was a key Anthropologist figure looked at in the beginning weeks, alongside Stelarc, who changed and engineered alternative places for body parts.

My first thoughts of this were that it was an unusual aspect to be considering, although as the weeks progressed, the seminars and discussions along with research, had developed my understanding of some of the key aspects that were meant to be considered, alongside the thought processes of how they can be incorporated into work or research for the work.

Other features considered that were more inclined towards journalism, was the Life Magazine video, and aspects of this, by Rankin. This inspired me to research Life Magazine, and look through some of the copies of the Magazine online, and also, I considered using some of the aspects of it for my essay.

The vocabulary and key words of terminology discussed gave me a more complex understanding of some of the words that could be used within essay writing, and how these can be interpreted.

I incorporated some of the words within my writing and essay work if they were relevant and appropriate, but I also have considered how these can be used for future reference.

My first thought processes for the essay developed from aspects that I had considered from previous modules, and also a combination of ideas and ideologies interpreted into today’s society.

These are the key questions and thought processes, including aspects and theories I would have used of covered:

1. Discuss changing representations of femininity and masculinity in visual culture, and the factors that have influenced them.

Reason: I may look at the different ways in which the world of journalism has evolved and women have integrated into what was once a male dominated occupation. Has the equality of visuals such as women appearing on specific news Television as presenters, rather than being the ‘sidekick’ or just the weather girl, made the occupation more open, or led the leading organisations to use women as a balancing tool on air. (The fact that BBC news, either have one woman, or one man solely presenting, or one man and one woman, or sometimes two women, but never two men)

2. Compare the terms interpret and negotiate in relation to the process by which viewers and readers make meaning in relation to a journalist’s intentions.

Reason: I would consider the broadsheets and tabloids headlines on similar storylines, such as the Princess Dianna death, The war in Iraq, and Prime Minister elections, to draw the interpretations made in each, and compare these to identify the way the newspaper is intending to negotiate the terms they are trying to employ to their readers, and influence them to have a particular view or understanding through the way their message is communicated.

3. The effects of war have often acted as a catalyst for photographers and journalists.

Reason: The way wars are communicated to a reader or viewer can often be the only source of intelligence that the public receive into war relations. I would like to use examples of true journalism and photography, such as the Life magazine’s reporting on WW2, and compare these to ‘unknown’ or or propaganda tools used, and how these have been exploited, such as in the Drama, ‘The Promise,’ which

covers the war in Palestine and Israel. I would argue wars being a reason to report or a reason to exploit for journalists.

4. The rise in social media is changing the nature of contemporary society.

Reason: How social media is impacting on real life decisions, and how it is changing the methods of communicating a story to readers through interactive mediums, such as Twitter, and Storify. I would look at the difference between storytelling by public through interactive communications and visual media, and the way journalists are using social media as a new form of communicating their stories. How can the difference be identified, and what separates a story being a piece of journalism and news, from just being a story.

After considering the questions, I chose the question of War being a Catalyst for Journalists.

My first interpretations of this were going to focus on how propaganda and tools have been sued in wars, and how this affects a journalist’s role.

As from my last essay, I had delved into media ethics; I had completed it at a place where I would have delved in to media law.

After some thinking, and consideration, I began to research and discover new ideas that I could use to re-interpret the question, and include aspects of law, politics, and the way that these intertwined.

After viewing an incident on the news of a war soldier who had effectively committed genocide, which then turned an unfolded into a story of forced war battles, and heroic representation, I considered how, if  and what influences may have been placed on to the media, to ensure public responses and ideologies changed, and interpreted the situation differently.

Researching aspects of this become something I enjoyed. The first lectures on Cyberculture, technology and concepts of this, I feel influenced me to adapt the question and relate aspects that do not necessarily relate to my field, and place these within my essay and research to make a more complex and historical argument that drew information and interlinked many areas.

I have a strong notion of political influences onto public and media representations, and this became a great opportunity to explore this through the aspect of war.

The essay process was itself one that developed my understanding of issues of complexity surrounding journalism, and the involvement of different vocations and political aspects that influence the role. This allowed me to express and conduct this in a way that processed theories and arguments that changed and influenced my notions on the topic.

Law, politics, ethics, and history within journalism, are all aspects that I would like to consider for my dissertation, as these are all influential factors on my vocation.

Throughout the summer I will progress these thoughts, and adapt a direction that I could use for my final dissertation.