Reflections

Before doing Issues in Publication and Design course, there so many things that I overlook such as reading paths, how to construct a message based on the appropriate audience, purpose and context and most importantly how do messages differ based on different genre. 


By learning this course, I believe I am able to make use of this knowledge and apply this knowledge in my own daily life. When writing my own personal blog, I do not need to consider the use and purpose of citation and referencing other people’s work. However in writing this blog, referencing people’s work is needed and crucial. 


Most importantly, I am able to be aware and cautious in the content of my blog to prevent any misunderstandings as different culture have different views and perceptions in interpreting this blog contents. In overall, I learnt a lot from this course in guiding and helping me in the future. 

Is Breach Of Privacy In Journalism Industry Ethical?

According to the article, phone hacking scandal is now an issue happening in United Kingdom (UK). UK phones is hacked to gain insides of murder victims, terror attacks, celebrities and the missing 13 year old deleted messages. The News of The World (NOTW) with the insides report this issues to get hot sensation news so that the public will be interested and buy their newspapers.

Nowadays, journalism industry is pressured by their competitor and the public itself to be the best, therefore they are pressured to do unethical things. In my opinion, it is unethical for any journalism industry to breach individuals privacy just to get fresh and hot news to increase readership or to gain advantages as compared to other journalism competitors. According to Dr Edward Spence, a senior lecturer in media ethics, School of Communication and Creative Industries cited in News.csu.edu.au agrees and state that invasion of privacy in this phone hacking scandal is unethical and illegal as well. He added “The invasion of people's privacy when it is not a matter of public interest but only of interest to some members of the public who thrive on celebrity and political gossip, as well as scandal, is never ethically justified” (News.csu.edu.au, 2011). 

In my opinion, journalism industry should be more ethical when reporting issues, not to breach people’s privacy to compete with other journalism company even when being pressured. A journalism company should not, invade people’s privacy, manipulate issues, have a balanced information and information should be accurately written to avoid misinterpretation. Australian-news.com.au (2010) agrees and state that journalist should follow the Australian Journalists Association (AJA) Code of Ethics which is honesty, fairness, independence and respect the right of others. 

Additionally, as a journalists work in a private business, a journalist have all these public responsibilities that they adhere to. Therefore a journalist must respect people’s privacy and respect the public’s right to information so that trust is form between the public and journalist. 

(327 words)

Reference

Australian-news.com.au 2010, Journalists Code Of Ethics - An Oxymoron?, viewed 11 November 2011, <http://www.australian-news.com.au/codethics.htm>

News.csu.edu.au 2011, Phone Tapping: It’s Illegal And Unethical, viewed 11 November 2011, <http://news.csu.edu.au/director/latestnews.cfm?itemID=07A1B9E6A2D156CAE0117A4CB6051142>

How Understanding Culture, Beliefs and Value Help In Advertising

As stated in the article, Media Prima was forced to pull out a Ramadan commercial that is controversial with the public declaring that the commercial is racist. In all, the series of Ramadan commercial shows a Chinese girl being obnoxious, eating in public, and wearing revealing clothing's during the fasting month. The commercials urges non-Muslims to respect the Muslim fasting month. 

The Banned Ramadan Advertisement

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7p5rp-nbI)

This commercial is viewed by public as a racist advertisement that does not respect other culture in nature and also trying to show the ‘bad side’ of other cultures. Different individuals with different cultures and belief may interpret the commercial differently. For a Muslim, they might not find the commercial offensive as they understand the commercial based on the culture and beliefs. However, for a non-muslim, they might find this commercial racist in nature because they do not understand the meaning behind this commercial as they have different cultures and beliefs. According to Schriver (1997) states that an individual values and beliefs is a part of how they interact and interpret words and visuals. Walsh (2006) added that a particular individual has the need to understand the social purpose of a text and the cultural context. As related to this case, by understanding other cultures, an individual might not misinterpret the meaning behind the commercial. 

In my opinion, it is the responsibility of every advertising company to make sure and that they are aware of the materials and ideas that they are allowed to show or advertise in public. When not familiar with the culture, beliefs and values of a particular culture, the company should not continue with the idea and concepts of the advertising to avoid being misinterpreted by the public. Such mistakes will angered the public and result in the negative criticisms of the public therefore affecting the company reputation. 

(305 words)

Reference

Schriver, KA 1997, Chapter ^: Dynamics In Document Design, pp.361-441

Walsh, M 2006, ‘Textual Shift’: Examining The Reading Process With Print, Visual and Multimodal Texts, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, pp.24-37

Online Video As A Current Trend Among Media Websites

To cope with different changes in the technology, no doubt changes from online news to online video is now a necessity to different media websites. As you all know online news websites and online videos offer different form of modes. According to Walsh (2006), websites provides multimodal modes such as text, images, visuals and hyperlinks. However, online videos provides audio, moving visuals and ‘show’ the audience what is the intended message. 

Example of Online News Article

(Source: http://influencegraphics.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/influence-graphics-featured-in-printing-news-magazine/)

Example of Online News Video

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N4vpbPZ_b0&feature=relmfu )

Online videos is beneficial in many ways. In my opinion, online video is able to attract and maintain the interest of the audience as compared to online news because an individual is not likely interested to read text through a screen. According to Bowles (2011) online video create familiarity user interface and acts as a one-stop resources rather than online website that requires readers to click and choose their reading pathways. YouBrand cited in Bowles (2011) also states that a picture and videos shared in Facebook is clicked more often than those of text. 

In addition, as stated in the above, news articles with text usually only ‘tell’ people about the issues happening around the world whereas online video with multimodes is able to ‘show’ the audience what is really happening around the world. As stated by Rodwell (2007), an individual is able to remember and memorize something by seeing or making visual associations rather than what they hear and read. Similarly, when an individual watch an online video, they tend to remember clearly what they seen instead of reading a text from a screen as text is easily manipulated. 

Finally, the another main reason why online videos serves better than online news article is that it lift up to audience expectations. Usually in online news article, text and images in provided to the audience, where the audience is expected to imagine and therefore have a list of expectations on what they are supposed to see. This is where online news video equipped with audio, moving visuals comes in and meet the audiences expectations. That is why online news video is the current trend amongst media websites as it is what captures audience interest. 

(356 words)

Reference

Bowles, A 2011, Maximizing The Benefits Of Online Video Through SEO, viewed 9 November 2011, <http://www.webpronews.com/online-video-seo-2011-08>

Rodwell, J 2007, Activity-Based Training Design: Transforming The Learning Of Knowledge, viewed 10 November 2011, <http://books.google.com.my/books?id=GmL-Kskuhb0C&pg=PA12&dq=people+believe+in+what+they+see+rather+than+what+they+hear+design&hl=en&ei=xWS7TpyJL8PyrQer8sDWCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false>

Walsh, M 2006, ‘Textual Shift’: Examining The Reading Process With Print, Visual and Multimodal Texts, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, pp.24-37

Traditional Newspaper VS IPad Newspaper Only

  Due to the technology advancements the country is facing, many individuals feel like it is a need and a “in thing” to have iPads. iPads currently have different interesting applications and recently came out with iPad-only newspapers. No doubt this launch did help individuals that have a need to read newspaper in terms of news availability, updated and most importantly, convenience. 

But then again, this change have result in the enormous decline in the readership of the traditional printed newspaper. However, there is a percentage of individuals that still prefers to read traditional printed newspaper. This have to do with the changes in genre and readers expectations. There are a few reasons why some individuals prefer print modes rather that multimodal modes, vice versa.

Different individuals have different expectation when reading a traditional newspaper and iPad-only newspaper (small screen) due to the different modes provided by traditional print newspapers and iPad newspapers. As traditional newspaper focuses in providing information through text and images, the content in a traditional newspapers is informative and lift up to audiences expectation as people read newspaper to gain new information. 

Example of Traditional Newspapers

(Source: http://kennithleung.com/blog/2011/05/31/social-traditional-newspaper/)

As for iPad-only newspaper, certain individuals is more interested in small screen rather than only print media as they are able to decide their own reading path. According to Walsh (2006), the technological differences is able to assist and guide the reader’s learning, captivate and maintain the interest of the reader. This means that, with hyperlinks provided in websites, a reader is able to create or decide their own reading paths by clicking on news that interest them. 

Example of iPad Newspaper Only

(Source: http://southasiadaily.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/murdoch-jobs-new-ipad-venture/)

In my opinion, iPad newspapers only will not kill the readership of traditional newspapers.

According to the Dailyquail.org (2011), individuals still turn to traditional newspaper for a trustworthy and reliable source of information. News from iPads newspaper are usually manipulated and a modified piece of information to suit what people want to hear. Additionally, Johne (n.d) also agrees that traditional newspapers is much better as they attend to individuals who is not able to access to media such as internet and televisions.

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Reference

Dailyquail.com 2011, Can Traditional Newspapers Survive In The Internet Age?, viewed 9 November 2011, <http://dailyquail.org/2011/08/03/can-traditional-newspapers-survive-in-the-internet-age/>

Johne, R n.d, Traditional Newspaper: Still The Best Medium of Fulfilling Your Area Specific News Requirements, viewed 9 November 2011, <http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/traditional-newspaper-still-the-best-medium-of-fulfilling-your-area-specific-news-requireme>

Walsh, M 2006, ‘Textual Shift’: Examining The Reading Process With Print, Visual and Multimodal Texts, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, pp.24-37

Print Design Vs Screen Design

As current technology advances, individual also advances from gaining information from print-based document to screen-based documents. Screen-based documents are informations in websites that have picture, movements, audio and hyperlinks as compared to print-based documents that consists of text and a few pictures as illustration. According to Walsh (2006) there are a few consideration considerations that when designing for screen versus print documents. The 3 considerations I will mention about is 

1. Principal mode

For print-based documents, the principal mode is the words that tell, and the arrangements of chapters, paragraphs and sentence whereas for screen-based documents includes visual image, graphics and audio, hyperlinks and frames.

2. Interpersonal meaning

Print-based documents interpersonal meaning is developed through verbal voice which uses narrators whereas screen-based documents is developed through visual voice such as positioning, angle, and sound.

3. Reading pathway

For print-based documents, readers reads and follow the text in sequence. The reading pathway for screen-based documents use less sequence and mostly based on the readers interest and choice to interact. 

According to Hall, Larson & Marsh (2003), states that especially in childhood education, screen-based text has been effective in the addition to theories and practice of literacy teaching and learning. 

An example of print-based documents

(Source: http://abode-of-books.blogspot.com/2010/01/lord-of-rings-trilogy-by-jrr-tolkien.html)

An example of screen-based documents

(Source: http://www.lordoftherings.net/home.htm)

As shown in the above pictures, the print-based documents contains only text and wordy which makes individuals not willing to read. However for screen-based documents, readers or users of the site might be interested to stay longer in this site because this site is much more interesting. Readers of screen-based documents can click on the hyperlinks based on their interests whereas readers of books containing text only can read in sequence.

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References

Hall, N, Larson, J & Marsh, J 2003, Handbook of Early Childhood Literacy, viewed 25 August 2011, <http://books.google.com.my/books?id=yqmSwTkzLAEC&pg=PA420&dq=how+to+read+screen-based+documents&hl=en&ei=UE1WTrDuFMaqrAe6m9zfCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=screen-based&f=false>

Walsh, M 2006, Textual Shift: Examining the Reading Process with Print, Visual and Multimodal texts, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, p.24-37.

New Forms of Media Publishing

The usual conventional media such as the newspaper, television, radio is currently challenged by the new form of media publishing. As stated in Naughton (2006), the conventional form of media publishing will not be taken over by the new form of media publishing however it can change the ecosystem. Example of the new forms of media publishing would be Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Online News, and also E-books.

(Source: http://www.facebook.com)

(Source: http://beatblogging.org/2009/04/02/save-twitter-searches-to-help-with-research-and-reporting/)

Social network websites such as Twitter and Facebook is being used vastly in business to keep in touch with their customers. Furthermore, Twitter and Facebook is the quickest way for businesses to update their customers about their newest products, services and businesses events. Facebook and Twitter is also useful for customers to communicate with businesses. Comments, feedbacks and suggestion can be communicated through these sites to businesses so that they can take action and improve what should be improved immediately.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

Besides that Youtube is another form of new form of media publishing that is used vastly around the world. According to the Website-monitoring.com (2011) it is states that in May 2010, Youtube exceeds 2 billion views a day. Youtube is used to share information, views and opinions with each other such as tutorial blogs and vlogs.

(Source: http://edition.cnn.com/)

(Source: http://www.ebooks.com/)

Finally, online news and e-books is also preferred by individuals instead of the conventional newspaper and books. Sambas (2010) state that the advantages of online news is that individuals is able to share them with friends through social networking sites such as Facebook. Furthermore, e-books are less costly compare to books.

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Reference

Naughton,  J 2006, Blogging and The Emerging Media Ecosystem, viewed 25 August 2011, 

<http://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/fileadmin/documents/discussion/blogging.pdf>

Sambas, T 2010, Online News: Advantages and Disadvantages, viewed 25 August 2011,

<http://www.articleslash.net/News-and-Society/588893__Online-News-Advantages-and-Disadvantages.html>

Website-monitoring.com, 2011, Youtube: facts & Figures, viewed 25 August 2011, <http://www.website-monitoring.com/blog/2010/05/17/youtube-facts-and-figures-history-statistics/>

Blogging Communities

According to Kinkeldei (2007) a blogging community is a collectivity of the individual and independent blogs that share the same interest. Usually, these bloggers only communicate with each other through blogging.

There are many ways that an individual can create blogging communities. Holman (2011) specify that the 5 ways to build blogging communities.

1.  Reach out to professional bloggers: The professional and more established bloggers is able to help the younger bloggers.

2. Respond to commenters: By responding to commenters, they will respect and remember you because you are open to their views and thoughts

3. Write post in reaction to others: When a blogger come by a post that they like or interested in, they are encourage to post as a response to that blog. A good connection can be established and sharing of information and knowledge can be extended.

4. Create a local blogger meet-up: Bloggers that share the same interest can meet up and talk about other topics besides blogging. This can enhance connections.

5. Share link love: Sharing of links with bloggers that you respect can help search engines to find your blog easier. It shows how big is you network.

According to White (2006) the 3 types of blog based communities are:

1. Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community: Where bloggers interact with commenters and blog visitors

(Source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community)

2. Topic Centric Community: Where bloggers share a particular interest and it grows as more bloggers joins in.

(Source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community)

3. Boundaried Communities: Collection of blogs and blog readers hosted on a single platform

(Source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community)

In addition to White (2006), an example of a community that uses shared community is the Global Voices Community where they collect blogs from other countries to create awareness about the issues happening in that county.

(Source: http://globalvoicesonline.org/)

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Reference


Holman, K 2011, How To Create A Blogging Community, viewed 25 August 2011, <http://www.spiceupyourblog.com/2011/03/how-to-create-blogging-community.html>

Kindeldei, B 2007, Forging Connections and Promoting Growth Through Blog Communities, viewed 25 August 2011, <http://www.21publish.com/pub/21publish/blogging-whitepaper.pdf>

White, N 2006, Blogs and Community- Launching A New Paradigm For Online Community?, viewed 25 August 2011, <http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community>

Classification of Blogs & Opinion About The Most Appropriate Classification Approach

Blogs can be classified into different groups based on the subject, media type, device and also the status of publishers.  

An example of blog based on subject: Food blog

(Source: http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/)

An example of blog based on device would be moblog where individual write a blog post through their mobile phones. 

(Source: http://www.jonathansblog.net/iphone_mobile_blogging_email_web_typepad_interface_flickr_blogger_com_blog)

An example of blog based on media type: Vlog

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnVRZ6lCPqU)

An example of blog based on status of publisher: Business blog

(Source: http://www.gobalakrishnan.com/)

As mentioned in the 2^nd post about the types of blogs, Belardo (2011) state that the other types of blogs are such as collaborative blog, tutorial blog, travel and cultural blog, fashion and lifestyle blog and lastly people’s favorite, personal blog. Belardo (2011) also mention about business or corporate blog and educational blog.

An example of tutorial blog

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMJjVggLf8o)

  
An example of fashion blog

(Source: http://clothesencounters.tumblr.com/)

Unlike Belardo (2011), Simons (2008) mention about her version of 9 types of blogs which include pamphleteering blog, digest blog, advocacy blog, popular mechanics blog, exhibition blog, gatewatcher blog, diary blog, advertisement blog and finally the news blog.  

An example of Popular Mechanics Blog

(Source: http://denadio-babycare.blogspot.com/)

As to compare with Belardo (2011) and Simons (2008) point of view in blogs classification, Belardo’s blog classifiction is more specific as compared to Simon’s blog classification that is very detailed, complex and confusing. In my opinion, I think Belardo’s view on types of blog classification is better as it is more specific. Specific blogs has an advantage compared to blogs that are complex and confusing as it is more convenient, easy to organize and easier to classify by bloggers.  

My blog is classified as an educational blog. This blog is able to guide, assist and provide information about the issues in publication and design for those that is interested in this course. 

(289 words)

Reference

Belardo, M 2011, The 5 Types of Blogs: Which One Suits You Best?, viewed 24 August 2011, <http://www.inkrebels.com/insp/the-5-types-of-blogs-which-one-suits-you-best/>


Simons, M 2008, A Taxanomy of Blogs, Abc.net.au, viewed 24 August 2011, <http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript>