Week Five // News & Me (Part 2)

Task 1 : Write a short essay of about 400 words about the below stated issue: news and you, again. Who owns the newspapers and TV stations in your country? Do you think this has an effect on the news that you hear?

First of all, the media of Malaysia covers television, radio, newspapers, and web-based media such as bloggers. There are a lot of media outlets are either owned directly by the government of Malaysia (e.g. Bernama) or owned by component parties of the Barisan Nasional coalition government (e.g. the Media Prima group, which is owned by the United Malays National Organisation). Since conventional media is so tightly controlled by the government, Malaysia has a lively alternative media scene, characterized by such news portals as Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider which take advantage of the government's pledge not to censor the Internet despite its stranglehold on most mass media outlets. There are over 30 newspapers and tabloids published mainly in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil.

List of Newspaper:
English language – The Star, The Sun, New Straits Times, Malaysian Today and etc.

Malay language – Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Harian Metro, Kosmo!, Siasah and etc.

Chinese language – China Press, Guang Ming, Sin Chew Jit Poh, Nanyang Siang Pau and etc.

Tamil language – Makkal Osai, Malaysia Nanban, Tamil Nesan and Vanakkam Malaysia.

Online newspapers – Malaysiakini, Merdeka Review, Agenda Daily, BERNAME and etc.

List of TV Station:
Asia Media – Asia Media TV KL, Asia Media TV JB

Radio Televisyen Malaysia – TV1, TV2, TVi, RTMi

Media Prima – TV3, NTV7, 8TV, TV9

Mega TV – CNN International News, Discovery Channel, ESPN, HBO and Cartoon Network

Astro – Ria, Vaanavil, STAR World, MTV, Wah Lai Toi, AEC, SuperSport and etc.

As we know, most of the mainstream media in Malaysia is mainly owned by political parties and heavily regulated by government. The censorship is applied to control media content to avoid unnecessary disturbance to the “national” security. The regulated freedom of the press has been criticized. Although critics concede that journalists "probably won’t be hauled off and shot" for being critical of the government, it has been claimed that the government creates a chilling effect through threats of reduced employment opportunities and refusing journalists' family members "a place at one of the better public universities". Legislation such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act have also been cited as curtailing freedom of expression.

In the nutshell, the overall idea has affected me on receiving the “real” news. The government has the power to control the news that may affected their reputation or even hidden the scandal exposure. Therefore, as a citizen of Malaysia, we have lost our rights of the freedom of press. It’s not fair and also known as inhuman treatment to us as it took away our human rights.

- Source -

Week Four // News & Me

Task 1: Write a short essay of about 400 words about the below stated issue: news and you. How often do you read the paper or watch the news on TV? How important is it for you to keep up with current events?

News is playing a vital role in our life today and people are getting much influenced by the news nowadays. What is your opinion on this statement? Is this a positive or negative development? 

As we all know, news has gone through a significantly long history since its first appearance and is continuing to maintain its importance to humans. However, it is noticeable that people’s thoughts and comments are usually affected by the exposure of news. 

As time flies, the improvement in the forms of news display varies from the newspaper to television news report and even on computer. Therefore, we cannot deny the fact that news has successfully blended in as one of our routine daily tasks. Some people say this phenomenon is a positive development while others oppose. But in my point of view, I would recommend that the news is a very positive development to our daily lives. 

Firstly, I can share what I have learned from the news and share my opinions with my friends and family. This kind of act can contribute to good relationships with others and also helps us start a conversation more easily. At the same time also increasing our knowledge.

Secondly, because people nowadays emphasize the freedom in speech and thinking, I can express my feelings or ideas considerably through columns in the newspapers or even write on my own personal blogs on computer. 

Thirdly, news provides us with a large variety of information and knowledge that we might not know. On the contrary, children and teenagers who are not yet mature may mimic the crime acts they learn from the everyday news. In this way, violence and crime rates will show figures increasing respectively. Furthermore, if a celebrity who is worshiped by many people makes an inappropriate announcement, chaos may strike by the two sides of people. 

To conclude, news undoubtedly plays a critical part in our life and can influence us rather vastly. However, it is important to make good use of our abilities in deciding whether a piece of news is trust worthy or misleading.

Week Three// What Is Theatre?

Task 1: Write a short essay of about 400 words on the 'subject-matter' below stated. What is theatre? How do you think theatre, as a media form, communicates messages to its audience?

Based on Wikipedia, Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance. Elements of design and stagecraft are used to enhance the physicality, presence and immediacy of the experience. The specific place of the performance is also named by the word "theatre" as derived from the Ancient Greek θέατρον (théatron, “a place for viewing”) and θεάομαι (theáomai, “to see", "to watch", "to observe”). Modern Western theatre derives in large measure from ancient Greek drama, from which it borrows technical terminology, classification into genres, and many of its themes, stock characters, and plot elements. Theatre scholar Patrice Pavis defines theatricality, theatrical language, stage writing, and the specificity of theatre as synonymous expressions that differentiate theatre from the other performing arts, literature, and the arts in general. Theatre today includes performances of plays and musicals. Although it can be defined broadly to include opera and ballet, those art forms are outside the scope of this article. 

Theatre is a type of media form which can bring messages to the audience. There is more effective if we use theatre as a media form because it just like a story telling for people to recall the facts or the story. The writer has to be creative and think of ways to set an emotion into each character which can be felt by the audience such as comedy, romance, mystery and so on. Besides, they need to think on the type of audience would be aiming at and have to keep in mind of their target audience. According to Wikipedia once again, theatre has involves the audiences in variety of ways. Audiences have been engaged differently, often as active participants in the action on a highly practical level. Audience participation can range from asking for volunteers to go onstage. By using audience participation, the performer invites the audience to feel a certain way and by doing so they may change their attitudes, values and beliefs in regard to the performance's topic.

Reference: Wikipedia

Week Two// Task Two: Media Use in Social Groups

Task 2

Identify at least four social/cultural groups and what media you think they use.

As we know, different social group uses different media facilities. Social groups can be divided into 4 large groups. They are youngster, teenagers, adults, and elderly.

Youngsters: This group communicate with each other via electronic media and digital media such as sms/txt and mobile oriented social media tools. This segment loves video and anything text better be short. They are tending to be straight forward and they love electronic devices.

Teenagers: This group crosses over in a mix between Web-based and mobile usage. The most popular social media tool for this group is email, although we note a trend towards more use of Social Networking tools for communication. This group prefers Facebook or Twitter. Mobile usage of social tools seems to be around Twitter, Blackberry messenger or iPhone apps. This group also likes less text in blogs and on websites and enjoys video. Their content creation however, remains heavily text-oriented and very little use of video.

Adults: This group generally sticks to the Web (about 90% of the time) rarely using SMS/txt messaging. This group is likely to print and read a document on paper rather than a monitor. Some of them are more distrustful of social media and the content therein. Their approach to content creation is textual and rarely visual through video and images. But some of them are very up to date. They are exposed with the world of technology, which is affordable to them. As compared to teenagers, theirs tools or gadgets are more advance. For examples like smartphones or tablets (digital media) which includes tons of advance apps.

Elders: They fairly regular use of Social Media and this seems to be driven as the result of familial communications. New tools are not easily adopted and this age range is more politically conservative and traditional in their media consumption habits (radio, TV, print news.) The easiest way for them to communicate is to speak and write. Use of social tools seems to be on services like Facebook where they can work within a set framework. The use of social tools drops significantly as would be expected. Clearly there are generational preferences to the tools available.

Infographic: httpwww.community102.com

Week Two// Task One: Media Forms

Task 1

Get photographs of at least 10 different types of MEDIA FORMS, and describe them. Make sure you note your references if you get the photographs from somewhere else.

1. Primitive Media

Primitive media bear the marks of the human touch. It reveals the aesthetic and subtle communicative possibilities of primitive media. The end of every medium should be to reveal the connection between the natural, the cultural and the spiritual elements of a community. Primitive media, unlike mainstream media, have no implicit or explicit agenda. 

Reference: http://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan/editorials/february2007.html

2. Printed Media

Print media is one of the oldest and basic forms of mass communication. It includes books, newspapers, weeklies, magazines, monthlies and other forms of printed journals.Print media has the advantage of making a longer impact on the minds of the reader, with more in-depth reporting and analysis.

Reference: http://download.nos.org/srsec335new/ch5.pdf

3. Digital Media

Digital media is a form of electronic media where data are stored in digital which is opposed to analogue form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission (e.g. hard disk drives or computer networking) of information or to the "end product", such as digital video, augmented reality, digital signage, digital audio, or digital art.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_media

4. Broadcast Media

The sequencing of content in a broadcast is called a schedule. With all technological endeavors a number of technical terms and slang are developed please see the list of broadcasting terms for a glossary of terms used. Television and radio programs are distributed through radio broadcasting over frequency bands such regulation includes determination of the width of the bands, range, licencing, types of receivers and transmitters used, and acceptable content.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_media

5. Film Media

'Film' encompasses motion pictures as individual projects, as well as the field in general. The name comes from the photographic film also called filmstock, historically the primary medium for recording and displaying motion pictures. Many other terms exist—motion pictures or just pictures, the silver screen, photoplays, the cinema, picture shows, flicks—and commonlymovies

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_media

6. Art as Media

"Media art" refers to artworks that depend on a technological component to function. The term "media" applies to any communication device used to transmit and store information. By incorporating emerging technologies into their artworks, artists using new media are constantly redefining the traditional categories of art.

Reference:http://www.museevirtuel-virtualmuseum.ca/sgc-cms/expositions-exhibitions/arts_mediatiques-media_arts/art_mediatique-media_art-eng.php

7. Electronic Media

Electronic Media is information or data that is created, distributed and accessed using a form of electronics, electromechanical energy or any equipment used in electronic communications. The common equipment we use on a day to day basis to access Electronic Media is our television, radio, computer, cell phones and other devices transporting information to and from us by means of electronic involvement.

Reference: http://www.electronicmedia.co.za/

8. Written Media

Written media offer access to readers whom you might not be able to address orally. It is a relatively inexpensive way to reach a large audience and also a permanent, indisputable record of what you've said — for both you and your audience. Written media give a chance to think your message through carefully and double-check it before you deliver it.

Reference: http://writingforresults.net/Acro_3/3_medium/2_writtn.pdf

9. Spoken Media

Conversation, the most common type of speech, involves immediate interchange between the participants, who convey their reactions either in words or through facial expressions and bodily movements. There is more spontaneity in conversation than in writing; self-correction occurs in the flow of conversation,

Reference: http://grammar.about.com/od/mo/g/mediumterm.htm

10. Drawn Media

In drawing, "media" refers to both the material that is manually applied and to the base onto which it is applied. The media applied can be many things but the method of application is a stick type object with a point (not a brush) that transfers particles of media to the base. The point of the stick can be minute as it can be large. The medium applied can be graphite, fusain, pastel, ink among other things. Bases can be paper, plaster, canvas, wood or basically anything that accepts the medium applied from the point of the stick.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_artistic_media

Week One// Task Two: Digital media vs Print media

Task 2

Write an essay about 400 words: Describing your thought on media use include photograph If you want.

What is media?

Media refers to various means of communication. There are few types of media such as digital media, printed media and more. With seemingly endless forms of digital media, from smartphones to tablets, is printed media slowly becoming redundant? As a generation that relies heavily on technology and the internet, some may say yes.

Argument for Printed Media

Print has been around for hundreds of years and well-established media houses have a massive reader base, even if it is domestic. Print based media tends to be more costly than advertising through digital media offerings. Digital media may appear financially more viable at first but budgets can quickly get used up. Many printing houses offer very competitive prices for leaflets, and brochures. 

Argument for Digital Media

However, the rapid widespread influence of the internet and social media has left many in the marketing world questioning what this spells for traditional print. Some have even gone so far to ask, “Is print dead?” Most businesses only focused their advertising efforts solely online in an effort to capitalize on the extensive reach, cheap cost and convenience of the World Wide Web. Multimedia communication is increasingly important because it conveys information quickly and conveniently and also leaves a permanent record for review at a later time.

Since the introduction of the tablet as a new digital medium, the device has been flying off shelves. The tablet is fast becoming a common sight among digital natives. Tablets have provided an easier way to read magazines digitally. The flat sleek design of the gadget and flip-motion page animation has brought back familiar aspects of printed media. But what online magazines truly value-add to consumers is the ability to offer varied mediums as part of the digital presentation that cannot be seamlessly executed on paper.

Marketing Trends

Facebook:

There are 500 million users on facebook, a social networking site which businesses are using to connect to their audience.

Twitter:

Many businesses recognize that they must engage in dialogue with their market and communicate in real-time with business news and offers.

Conclusion

Print and digital media triumph in areas where the other is lacking. 

Thus, when used in conjunction, they would complement the failings and strengths of each medium. Print has its boon in its tangibility, high level of engagement and superior brand recognition. Print is also considered to have higher credibility as compared to digital media. However, digital media’s forte lies in multimedia storytelling, low cost ads and its wide audience reach.

(422 words)

Week One// Task One: Definition

Task 1 

Terms: Search for meanings of believes listed terms. Make sure you note your references and dates retrieved from the source. 

1. Cross-Disciplinary 

Crossdisciplinary refers to knowledge that explains aspects of one discipline in terms of another. Common examples of crossdisciplinary approaches are studies of the physics of music or the politics of literature.

2. Inter-Disciplinary 

Interdisciplinary refers to new knowledge extensions that exist between or beyond existing academic disciplines or professions. The new knowledge may be claimed by members of none, one, both, or an emerging new academic discipline or profession. An interdisciplinary community or project is made up of people from multiple disciplines and professions who are engaged in creating and applying new knowledge as they work together as equal stakeholders in addressing a common challenge. 

3. Trans-Disciplinary 

Transdisciplinary refers to knowledge that exists in every individual, thus eliminating the need for discipline boundaries. A transdisciplinary community or project is made up of transdisciplinary professionals, which is an ideal that can only be approached and not actually achieved in practice. To exist in today's society, a transdisciplinary professional would possess certification or degrees in all disciplines as well as experience in all professions. 

4. Qualitative Research 

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior. The qualitative method investigates the why and how of decision making, not just what, where, when. Hence, smaller but focused samples are more often needed than large samples.

5. Ethnographic Research 

Ethnography is the study of people and their cultures. Ethnographic research involves observation of and interactions with the people or group being studied in the group’s own environment, often for long periods of time.

Sources: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disciplinary 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_research 

http://www.brianhoey.com

Date Retrieved: 25 Oct 2012

Week One// Introduction

TAN WEN YONG
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ADVERTISING DESIGN

GAMMA YEAR