Chapter 16

1. Have you ever had an experience in which you thought personal or public expression went too far and should be curbed? Explain. How might you remedy this situation? 

Have you ever been to Key West? Oh my goodness, if that is not the city for personal expression I don't know where is. Key West in the summertime is full of personal expression. There were drag queens and half naked people wasting the nights away on the top floors of bars. Signs that read "Clothing Optional" was just about enough to keep me from going out at night. I felt that level of personal and public expression was too much to handle. I chose to go out during the day when most of the "crazies" were sleeping and make sure to be inside by midnight. Key West is one wild town during the nights, and the expression levels were outrageous.

3. The writer A.J. Liebling once said that freedom of the press belonged only to those who owned one.  Explain why you agree or disagree.

I think in our 1st Amendment right the freedom of speech should state that this is an incorrect statement. In my opinion, Mr. Liebling was attempting to keep people's opinions to themselves and off the press. This however would violate the freedom of speech. Speech could be spoken or written down. It is all a matter of technicalities. I think by leaving the ability to form press, only to those who owned one is discriminative and should not be allowed. This is absurd and should have been vetoed, per say, by the people who witnessed this statement. 

Chapter 15

1. What are your main concerns or criticisms about the state of media studies at your college or university? 

I feel that the media studies at our University play a key component in the success of all students. I believe that it is imperative for a student's core requirements to take a course in communications. Without communications, students will not receive the tools they need to communicate as they move along in their studies at LR. Media studies offer students the opportunity to learn effective ways to communicate and view media. Media plays a key part in today's society and I think it is important that students understand how to view media in a positive way.

 

2. One charge that has been leveled against a lot of media research-both the effects and the cultural models-is that it has very little impact on changing our media institutions. Do you agree or disagree, and why?

 

I agree with this statement because I feel no matter how much research people conduct in the media field, media will always have an impact on society. There will always be media forms that will always lead the audience to a final problem, issue, celebration, etc. Media in my opinion will not change in the media institutional settings because there is such a demand for their services. Without media there is no way of getting information out to the different audiences and cultures. Media has a strong hand in what is announced into society. 

Chapter 13

1. Are you exposed to popular culture from other countries? Why or why not? Give some examples.

 

As an American, you would think that we would be more exposed to other cultures from countries around the world; however, for myself, this is not the case. I have never traveled outside of the United States and have never been given the opportunity to directly be exposed to another culture other than my own. In middle and high school, I took French as a foreign language and was able to incorporate much of the French culture into our classes each day. Our teacher would also give us the opportunity to bring in french foods to taste. The french culture is so much more laid back, opposed to the United States.

 

2. Do you read international news? Why or why not? 

 

To be honest, I do not typically follow international news unless it is on the television. Shockingly enough, this past Sunday night while I was watching the Phillies baseball game I quickly noticed the caption scrolling across the bottom of the screen, stating that "Osama Bin Laden has been killed". Of course, I immediately knew that this would be one of the biggest accomplishments in American history. Bin Laden has been one of the most wanted criminals for the past ten years and our military men and women located him. This news affects not only the United States but every other country in the world. I will be sure to continue and follow international news for the time being.

Chapter 11

1. What is your earliest recollection of watching a television commercial? Do you have a favorite ad? A most-despised ad? What is it about these ads that you particularly like or dislike?

 

I can not recall my earliest recollection of watching a television commercial. I am assuming it was at a pretty young age since I grew up watching cartoons and children shows. I do remember a lot of toy commercials like Barbie and other types of commercials that would appeal to the young viewer. I think my favorite television ad would have to be the recent "Pass it On" commercials that invite the viewers to "do the right thing" and live life to the fullest. My most despised television ad would have to be the commercials that advertise Viagra and products such as that. I believe that those types of commercials are unacceptable to be on television. There are young viewers that do not need to be exposed to commercials such as that.

 

4. Should advertising aimed at children be regulated? Support your response.

 

Yes. Most definitely. I feel that anything aimed at children should be regulated. A child's brain is like a sponge. Anything they see on television they believe as truth. Advertisements that are aimed at children should be age appropriate and should be appropriate in a parent's eyes. The last thing a company needs is an angry parent upset over what their child saw on television. I believe it is in a company's best interests to regulate what they put on television if they are trying to reach children viewers. Children control their parents spending when it comes to toys so companies should be sure the ads for their products are acceptable.

Chapter Ten

1. What are your earliest recollections of books? Do you read for pleasure? If yes, what kinds of books do you enjoy? Why? 

 

Growing up my parents read books to me beginning at a young age. They both knew the importance of reading and comprehension and made sure my childhood was full of books and reading material. I can remember my parents reading the classics to me such as books by Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. My elementary school was a magnet school that focused on literature and the arts. There was a strong emphasis on reading and taught students how to enjoy reading. Unfortunately as I have gotten older I do not enjoy reading as much. I like reading in the Summer because I have more free time to leisurely read a novel. When I do choose to read books I, like most girls my age, enjoy reading Nicholas Sparks novels. His stories are usually based out of the South and involve lots of love and emotion. I like reading the books and then seeing the movies.

6. Would you read a book on an iPod or a Kindle? Why or why not?

 

I think if I had the choice to read a book on an iPod or a Kindle I would choose to read it on a Kindle. I do not know much about the Kindle, but it seems they are becoming more and more popular in the education field. Soon, I have heard, that college textbooks will be available for the Kindle. I think the Kindle would be more beneficial to the reader because the reader is able to view the book on a larger screen. Kindles are easy to carry and you are able to read off of them indoors and out. There is nothing worse than trying to read something with the sun glaring on it and making the screen look darker.

Chapter 9, Questioning the Media

1. What are your earliest recollections of magazines? Which magazines do you read today? Why?

My earliest recollection of magazines was the Highlights for kid's magazines. These magazines had games, stories, and puzzles especially for kids. I can remember these magazines as an elementary student. The magazines kept me entertained and I loved getting them in the mail. I would race my younger sister to the mailbox when we were younger to see who got mail on that given day. These days, I do not read magazines on the regular but when I do I chose to read magazines about fashion and beauty. They give me neat tips on different make-up styles and different ways to do my hair. There are many tricks you would never expect would work that do.

7. Do you think the Internet will eventually displace magazines? Why or why not?

 

I do not believe that the Internet will ever displace magazines. This is due to the fact that magazines are very popular depending on the topic and type of audience the editors try to reach. Magazines are popular and have been for many generations. Older generations prefer magazines over the Internet, in my opinion. My mom loves when her Southern Living magazines come in the mail. I do not think she would like having to navigate through a website to find her decorating ideas and delicious recipes. Magazines may be old fashioned, but I feel they are here to stay!

Chapter 8

2. Why do you think people aren't reading U.S. daily newspapers as frequently as they once did? Why is newspaper readership going up in other countries?


In my opinion the reason people in the United States do not read the daily newspaper as frequently as in the past, is because the newspaper is available in so many other formats. Whether the news comes via the television, or by Internet, or even sent straight to ones phone, the news is becoming popular in new forms. It is easier for people to read news on the run rather than sit at the table in the morning while sipping on coffee. I think newspaper readership is increasing in other countries because their news involves information that appeals to their readers. 


5. Will blogs and other Internet news services eventually replace newspapers? Explain your response.


I do not think blogs and other Internet news services will ever replace the good ol' newspaper. I think there are a lot of individuals who prefer a hard copy rather than a virtual copy. Think of the moms that want to cut out a picture of their son's Championship little league team out of the newspaper. If online newspapers were the only news, we would not have the option to cut out clippings of exciting events in our lives. I feel like the Internet is a quicker source for news but for those of you who enjoy sitting and relaxing and reading the news, the newspaper is a great way to catch up on local and governmental issues.