Critical Annotation #1
Ward, Stephen J. A. Ethics And The Media. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print. pp.(182 – 185)
This book covers the overarching idea that when journalists are in the field and preparing media for consumption is that avoiding unjustified harm and minimising the amount of justified harm as the primary focus of all media personnel. The text is a theoretical approach illustrating Ward’s perspective as he challenges Mill’s approach which condemns that the only reason the actions of people should be restricted is if the actions cause unjustified harm. The piece also explores the principles of media and how they legally restrict some media practices of media organisations. This is supported by hypothetical examples to support the key point of the need for avoiding harm caused by media whether its justified or not.
This research of opinion is based heavily on Mill’s perspective of the principles of media and how it focuses on not causing unjustified harm. Perhaps more relevant and current examples in the society were in would further engage readers and support Ward’s opinion. This is addressing the general public who consume media and could potentially attract an audience who find media organisations harmful to social issues. This piece appears as analytical due to the critical analysis of the theory about how media controls it’s content release and the rules it stands by.
This piece is relevant to our topic of discussion as it contends how media organisations that place forward news, stories, comments about issues to the public can harm those that consume this information. The important thing to note is that narrative and texts can have an overwhelming effect on audiences and it may be harm them physically or emotionally. This potentially encourages that the media can dictate a specific reaction from audiences if desired.
Critical Annotation #2
Evans,Stephen. “North Korea Berates Obama Over The Interview Release – BBC News”. BBC News. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Apr.2016.
The article discusses the controversy of the release of the an American movie titled “The Interview” which is a “fictional plot” where two journalists are employed by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong-un, a leader of North Korea. The dispute between Obama and North Korea’s NDC became to the fore front where cyber attacks and threats were issued if the movie were to be released. The piece itself doesn’t specifically position itself on a particular side, they use lots of quotes and factual information which states the situation giving legitimacy to the article.
This article provides accurate information about the controversial topic, it is informative to audiences which is directed in particular Americans and North Koreans in general and those who know of this movie and have opinion of it. The text itself is descriptive trying to produce readers with knowledge of the ongoing situation, without placing a heavy perspective on either side of the argument. Whilst the piece covers both perspective and uses quotes and examples to give the piece some leverage the article perhaps lacks incorporating other perspectives whilst he covers both North Koreas view against it and Barack Obamas perspective there is little mention of audience reactions both positive and negative, this would’ve given more substance to the article.
The heavy dispute that is condemned in this article is stemmed from the release of a movie thats intention was to be humorous yet was received as “dishonest” and “hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership” within North Korea. This suggests how texts in their primary meaning can be completely misconstrued as a medium to different audiences and cultures. This supports our idea that texts and narrative can be lost in translation from production to consumption.
Critical Annotation #3
Clarke, Melissa. “Lord’s Prayer Ad Banned By UK Cinema Chains Over Fears Of Offence”. ABC News. N.p., 2015. Web. 29 Apr. 2016.
Clarke writes an informative piece on the banning of an advert at Britain’s biggest cinema chains due to its religious content that could potentially offend public. The article suggests that the Church of England was taken aback by this denial to show the advert which simply shows the lords prayer,and doesn’t force people into the religion. In opposition DCM (in charge of adverts in cinema chains) state that they don’t accept any political or religious content.
This article uses particularly good factual evidence of quotes to state the issue, it also includes a tweet which illustrates that majority of the public disagree to the banning of the advert. This research assist the reader to gain both an overall knowledge of the topic and gives perspective on how others interpret the situation. However as an article itself it doesn’t hold a perspective it just states the facts.
The article is useful for my research in our assignment because it again gives an example and shows how content in a different media text (not just movies or books) can still have a powerful hold over audiences so much so that it has the ability to offend people despite its intention being to show love and support especially being a week from christmas. This can support our ideas that all media has an intention and no matter the content this will always be an issue to a certain party because as a society we all hold different beliefs and therefore all have the ability to be offended by different opinions.
Critical Annotation #4
Young, T.R. (1992) Baby Doll (1956): A case study of film censorship and it’s decline during the 1950’s (Order No. EP74487). Available for ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (1705880473). Web. 30 Apr.2016
This thesis covers how Elia Kazan an independent director pushed realism and more explicit content into the film world. It uses this as a case study to explore how censorship in the 1950’s became reconstructed and ended the innocent era of cinema. This is a methodical approach that is used to illustrate the adaptations within this time period.
As a thesis it provides accurate and detailed coverage of Baby Doll and uses this to trace the decline of film censorship. Whilst it goes into depth about this topic using one filmmaker and their production it lacks in other historical aspects. By not incorporating other example from both that time period it doesn’t fully expose the decline of film censorship. Likewise perhaps incorporating how it has changed from the 1950’s to todays society within film censorship would’ve better illustrated the point of the thesis.
The findings in this piece showcase how texts and narrative change over time and how we adapt based on society and audience reaction. For my research this assists in my knowledge that the media is constantly adapting and changing and the way media received by audiences may also differ over time. As society progresses and likewise as cultures adapt, our reception of texts can change, so what might be offensive at a certain time period may not be offensive say 50 years later. Perhaps supporting the view that we receive some mediums/narratives based on our placement and views in society at a specific time.
Critical Annotation #5
Lancto, C. 2003, “Banned books”, The World & I, vol. 18, no. 9, pp. 259-277.
This text explores in detail censorship in specific reference to the banning of books due to content in terms of language, themes and/or their explicit nature. The tone used is quite opposing of these banned forms of literature as Lancto states that often those that challenge the censorship of books haven’t been to look past the literal meaning to a deeper level of thinking which in Lancto perspective restricts young people from discovering new realms and ideals of literature.
The audience of this piece would considerably be young people, those who read book and those who enjoy literature. Likewise teachers, parents, authors and scholars would find interest in this topic. This piece I think really uses example and texts really well, its structured in a clear and relevant way to illustrate to readers that the content that has been banned has been translated the wrong way. The author exposes the other side to the argument that what may appear as offensive may actually have a hidden and “beautiful” message under the surface. Perhaps things that are read are taken out of context. Whilst this academic piece negotiates the ideas of banned book perhaps the biased opinion doesn’t full account for harmful content that despite a deeper meaning offence of people can still effect a person and their life.
I think its important to note within this piece that there are always differing options in term of a media text that is sent out and the reception that its given. Whilst the society as a whole may ban or discontinue its exposure there are pockets that challenge and oppose these actions. This assists my research as it shows how things can be lost in translation and taken the wrong way but it also shows that as audiences everyone holds different values and are offended by different things. It potentially illustrates how no matter what the media text or narrative is a minority will find offence to a particular part.
Critical Annotation #6
Sandev, M. 2011, “Misleading airbrushed L’Oreal ads banned”, B & T Weekly, .
In the UK two L’Oreal magazine adverts have been banned by a Liberal Democrat MP saying they were “misleading” due to extensive digital manipulation. L’Oreal concluded that post production and editing techniques had been used to “differentiate between areas the product had been applied to and areas it had not”. The article pieces together quotes and evidence by both L’Oreal and the MP Jo Swinson. It also incorporated professional groups such as the Advertising Standards Authority, which gave the article a sense of legitimacy.
The audience of this article is targeted to woman who use these make up products by L’Oreal. The piece is quite analytical giving a very evidential perspective to the situation. The limitations of this article however is the briefness of it, it only states the situation without really giving an in depth look into the effect these adverts had on audience, the reason behind the ban and it gave very little discussion on the perspectives on the MP and L’Oreal. Furthermore this article has not allowed for sufficient research into the topic and lacks in scope. Linking to broader issues would’ve also assisted this. The findings whilst logical and researched they are of a low standard to my research.
This again helps me in my research for our topic of texts and narratives as it shows how even different texts such as an advertisement can be received differently than intended and can also result in a negative effect and to ensure harm isn’t caused its death with via banning the media text. The adverts was intended to be a way to showcase a product and enhance the message that L’Oreal products make the skin flawless and give full coverage yet the intention has been received by audiences in a slightly different way. Its being perceived as the way all woman are supposed to look thus leading to woman feeling self conscious within themselves.