It is true that there is a tendency for the media to add spices to their stories to make the news more interesting. The media refers to the different means of communication, namely the Internet, television, radio, newspapers and magazines. However recently, the mass media has also resolved to making up the news in order to sell their story. The examples I am going to site are based on recent events. These recent occurrences refer to late happenings in the 21st century.
On 14 March ’07, a report posted on the iNewswire Web site claimed that Hollywood actor Will Ferrell had met with a fatal accident, which had caused his death. Even though the report was taken away quickly, the damage had been done. Some of the public who had read the report actually sent flowers to the supposedly dead actor. Two weeks later, ABC News ran an article clarifying the mistake and reporting that Will Farrel was indeed alive and busy shooting for a movie.
The was also another incident where on 5 April ’07, The Romanian Embassy blamed the BBC for “stage-managing” a report about immigrants living in Hyde Park via the Newsnight reporters. Raduta Matache, the acting Romanian Ambassador, said that it was clear that BBC had set-up the whole thing, resulting in the violation of the ethics of journalism. A spokesman for Hyde Park admitted that people occasionally slept there, but said that there were regular patrols to stop encampments from being set up. Initially, the BBC had said that they were just giving Daniel, a 23-year-old, a small fee for contributing to the Newsnight and had not misled their audience at all. Later the BBC finally admitted to paying Daniel to film his ‘home’ even though he had already got a place in the hostel.
The third incident occurred a few years back in 2003 where the radio station 98.1 KISS in Chattanooga, Tennessee decisively announced that rapper Eminem would be doing a free show in a discount store parking lot. Convinced listeners were so mad at the DJ’s responsible for making the false announcement that they even threatened to harm them. Several police were needed to deal with the huge crowd. Both DJs were later jailed for creating a public nuisance. Even though this was intended as an April fool’s joke, there was no need to create such frenzy.
These are just a few episodes. There have been many more occasions where the media has created the news instead of reporting facts. This could have very serious consequences and the media may even lose the trust of the public if such events continue to occur.
Sources:
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/closeup/deathrumors/_a/have-no-fear-will-ferrell-is-alive-and/20060330085409990001
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2007/04/did_we_make_it_up.html
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article1615826.ece
http://english.hotnews.ro/BBC-accused-of-false-reporting-on-Romanian-immigrants-articol_44664.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
"YouTube has no ethics, it's been created for the sole purpose of entertainment and money." Do you agree?
YouTube, bought by Google for $1.65b last year, is a popular free video sharing website that has a remarkable number of users. Since it was founded if Feb 2005, it has grown to become one of the most entertaining and popular websites on the internet. Does YouTube have no ethics? Has it been created for the sole purpose of entertainment and money? I would think not.
It is true that YouTube has become the cause of many controversies regarding copyright infringement, violence and banning of the website in some countries. A large amount of content is being uploaded by people not permitted by United States copyright law to do so. Although the company often removes these contents, there are still cases of them being uploaded. The ITV News bulletin has also expressed their concern that YouTube encourages violence and bullying amongst teenagers, who engage in happy slapping. YouTube has also been prohibited in Iran to block corrupting foreign films and music. It has also been banned in Turkey and Thailand due to videos offending the Turks and the former Thai Prime Minister. All these events would lead one to think that YouTube does not follow a system of moral principles.
Why then is YouTube still so popular? This is because the benefits outweigh these few alleged affairs. YouTube is very convenient and effective way to show one's talents such as singing, dancing, playing an instrument, comedy acts and even video editing. In fact YouTube has led to the creation of many "internet celebrities", who are popular beings that have attracted much attention from their videos such as Brooke Brodac and Lisa Donovan. YouTube not only promotes creativity but acknowledges it as well. YouTube recently awarded some YouTube videos under the categories of “most creative”, “best comedy”, “most inspirational” and so forth. YouTube also features that are educational, such as documentaries and guides. The fact that YouTube entertains free of charge is extremely admirable. YouTube was named TIME magazine’s “Invention of the Year” for 2006.
Hence, I do not agree that YouTube has no ethics and has been created exclusively to entertain and earn money. In the process of promoting talent, YouTube may have caused some arguments, but this user-friendly site has many more functions than just to amuse and make profits.
It is true that YouTube has become the cause of many controversies regarding copyright infringement, violence and banning of the website in some countries. A large amount of content is being uploaded by people not permitted by United States copyright law to do so. Although the company often removes these contents, there are still cases of them being uploaded. The ITV News bulletin has also expressed their concern that YouTube encourages violence and bullying amongst teenagers, who engage in happy slapping. YouTube has also been prohibited in Iran to block corrupting foreign films and music. It has also been banned in Turkey and Thailand due to videos offending the Turks and the former Thai Prime Minister. All these events would lead one to think that YouTube does not follow a system of moral principles.
Why then is YouTube still so popular? This is because the benefits outweigh these few alleged affairs. YouTube is very convenient and effective way to show one's talents such as singing, dancing, playing an instrument, comedy acts and even video editing. In fact YouTube has led to the creation of many "internet celebrities", who are popular beings that have attracted much attention from their videos such as Brooke Brodac and Lisa Donovan. YouTube not only promotes creativity but acknowledges it as well. YouTube recently awarded some YouTube videos under the categories of “most creative”, “best comedy”, “most inspirational” and so forth. YouTube also features that are educational, such as documentaries and guides. The fact that YouTube entertains free of charge is extremely admirable. YouTube was named TIME magazine’s “Invention of the Year” for 2006.
Hence, I do not agree that YouTube has no ethics and has been created exclusively to entertain and earn money. In the process of promoting talent, YouTube may have caused some arguments, but this user-friendly site has many more functions than just to amuse and make profits.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
'The teenage years are the best years of one's life.'
To be more specific, the teenage years is the period of time from the age thirteen to nineteen. The teenage years are the best years of one life. I would beg to differ. In my opinion, going through the teenage years is like walking the path filled with roses. It may seem pretty but only the experience of walking among them will bring about the realisation of the many thorns that one has to pass through.
Teenagers are always preoccupied with the many things going on in their lives and the many decisions they have to make. For example, after PSLE one has to make a choice on where to go next and then again after O and A levels. It may seem that since everyone has to make that decision it is no big deal, but it does eventually affect one's future. Although a small group, there are some teens who have to work while studying to pay for fees or to support their family. Is it justice that at this age they have to take up the responsibility of studying and working side by side? Some may argue that teens are more independent and are supposed to be more wise and responsible. However at this point where they are experiencing hormonal changes and are more liable to emotional stress, it is still a job difficult to handle. As a result there are teens who resolve o crime, suicide or the increasing trend of 'emo'. This fad refers to teens wearing dark clothes, listening to gloomy music and writing depressing poetry. They consist of 'tortured souls' as they like to call themselves, some of whom have even attempted suicide. In Singapore, the main reason for teen suicide is friction with parents and breaking up with boyfriends or girlfriends. This brings me to the point that it is during these teenage years that one starts making serious friendships. Hence, it is probably right to say that problems in relationships cause a great impact in the teenagers' lives. I think that one would agree that although when we were children we had less privellages, we were also more carefree and had much less problems. Don't you just miss the chilhood days? How about the fact that teenagers are more concious of their looks than any other age group? This probably more true for girls, but dieting is common in teenagers and if serious can lead to illnesses.The concern about appearance is evident by the increase in advertising of slimming products. This may benefit some but only discourage those who need but cannot afford or are just too busy to do something about it.
No matter how hard the teenage years are, there is no doubt of the presence of an element of good in them. Teenagers have more freedom to express their feelings and develop their creativity. As mentioned before, they make proper friends and so in times of crisis get support from them and their family. I f only teenagers were more optimistic and confident about themselves, the teenage years would be more enjoyable. However, it is hard to look on th bright side of being a teenager when you are constantly reminded of the hardships of being one.
Teenagers are always preoccupied with the many things going on in their lives and the many decisions they have to make. For example, after PSLE one has to make a choice on where to go next and then again after O and A levels. It may seem that since everyone has to make that decision it is no big deal, but it does eventually affect one's future. Although a small group, there are some teens who have to work while studying to pay for fees or to support their family. Is it justice that at this age they have to take up the responsibility of studying and working side by side? Some may argue that teens are more independent and are supposed to be more wise and responsible. However at this point where they are experiencing hormonal changes and are more liable to emotional stress, it is still a job difficult to handle. As a result there are teens who resolve o crime, suicide or the increasing trend of 'emo'. This fad refers to teens wearing dark clothes, listening to gloomy music and writing depressing poetry. They consist of 'tortured souls' as they like to call themselves, some of whom have even attempted suicide. In Singapore, the main reason for teen suicide is friction with parents and breaking up with boyfriends or girlfriends. This brings me to the point that it is during these teenage years that one starts making serious friendships. Hence, it is probably right to say that problems in relationships cause a great impact in the teenagers' lives. I think that one would agree that although when we were children we had less privellages, we were also more carefree and had much less problems. Don't you just miss the chilhood days? How about the fact that teenagers are more concious of their looks than any other age group? This probably more true for girls, but dieting is common in teenagers and if serious can lead to illnesses.The concern about appearance is evident by the increase in advertising of slimming products. This may benefit some but only discourage those who need but cannot afford or are just too busy to do something about it.
No matter how hard the teenage years are, there is no doubt of the presence of an element of good in them. Teenagers have more freedom to express their feelings and develop their creativity. As mentioned before, they make proper friends and so in times of crisis get support from them and their family. I f only teenagers were more optimistic and confident about themselves, the teenage years would be more enjoyable. However, it is hard to look on th bright side of being a teenager when you are constantly reminded of the hardships of being one.
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