1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Industries have their own dedicated regulation bodies where they control what is and what isn't said via the main channels who have their own, specialised remits.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
OFCOM is responsible regulating and censoring any offensive or misleading content that may displease audiences. They deem products either to be fit for public consumption or unsafe for the public to watch.
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
Protecting the Under-Eighteens - We need to ensure that we are protecting age specific content from reaching the people it shouldn't be consumed by.
Privacy- The public has a right to have their private and important information protected. We feel like our information needs to be accessible by ONLY the people who need it and not people who are willing to use information in order to influence us in different ways.
Elections and Referendums- The amount of people who consume media products is huge. The influence this can have on the general public during an election time is insane. The public is susceptible to enormous influence by the political parties if they have enough exposure time on TV.
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
I don't think it was wrong because in the real world the age that people should view certain certificates of film, it's not really that accurate. It all matters on the maturity levels of the consumer could be mature/ready for the 'restricted' content in the product.
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Section 1: Accuracy
Section 2: Opportunity to Reply
Section 3: Privacy*
Section 4: Harassment*
Section 5: Intrusion Into Grief and Shock
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
The lack of statutory powers means that when a newspaper has been found to break the rules, the best a victim can hope for is an apology, which often does not get sufficient prominence in the paper.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
It involved a phone hacking scandal and it was regarding two journalists who were both employed by newspapers. Someone was hacking and illegally intercepting calls between the royal family. Victims of press intrusion also gave evidence, including Hugh Grant and Charlotte Church who gave details about how they felt the press had been able to intrude on their personal lives to an unacceptable extent. It was set up to protect people from press/media intrusion.
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?
I think things that could have the potential to influence a massive audience should be viewed but within reason. Maybe if there is a political show coming on, I feel that's where the line should be drawn, as some channels remits are simply to entertain. PSB's that have the right to display such things, if they mention it in their remits, it is fine to include such things.
TV and Radio should be regulated to an extent as I feel the artistic value and measure should be rewarded with more screen time. If we do not give the creative or recreational shows enough airtime, then the British broadcast scene will become very bleak, hostile and dull.
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
The internet cannot just be controlled. There is too much content being uploaded per second for the governments of the world to keep up. Internal regulations with platforms such as YouTube have a strict and possibly biased regulation system. Social media utilises a report button and relies on both the users and administrators to regulate content within the realms of the platform. We as a generation who has absolutely unlimited access to the internet, are aware of the prominent risks and dangers of the 'malicious' content that could be on the internet.
One could argue that the UK could learn from other governments such as the German government where they regulate and restrict most offensive and age appropriate content. In China, we see a new extreme where the government has 100% control of the internet and chooses what does and doesn't go on there. We should give enough credit to the people who are not breaking any rules and that make unique and creative content which unfortunately taken down due to extremely strict algorithms such as the infamous YouTube demonetisation crisis.
Monday 16 December 2019
Tuesday 10 December 2019
Public Service Broadcasting
1) How does the report suggest that TV viewing is changing?
More and more people are investing in smart viewing services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. 36% of adults have a smart TV in their home which means they have easy access to streaming platforms such as YouTube and NOW TV. This changes the face of traditional TV as the viewing numbers are rapidly declining.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Younger people watch around 49% more online videos than older people which highlights that the access to the internet could heavily impact the media you consume. Young people are a lot more likely to commit acts of piracy as opposed to older viewers.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
Overall, almost eight in ten adults say they are satisfied with PSB. This survey however was conducted via Skype interviews as opposed to telephone interviews so less older people would be able to do it as they cannot access the internet as freely as younger people. Of the 78% who were satisfied with PSB broadcasting, just under a quarter (24%) stated they were very satisfied. This compares to one in four (20%) in 2015 and is a significant increase.
4) Public service broadcasting channels are a major aspect of the UK cultural industries. How much money did PSB channels spend on UK-originated content in 2016?
£2.6 billion
Goldsmiths
1) What does the report state has changed in the UK television market in the last 20 years?
The proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters. New technology has facilitated on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms, while consumer behaviour has started to change rapidly, particularly among the young.
2) Look at page 4. What are the principles that the report suggests need to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in future?
Ofcom should carry out a regular qualitative audit of public service content in order to ensure that audiences are being served with high-quality and diverse programming. The PSB products should be available on new and emerging technology such as Smart TVs.
3) What does the report say about the BBC?
The BBC is vital to the television ecology and is very much ahead of its competitors. The report goes on to say that the BBC should continue to provide mixed programming and cater to all audiences as well as competing with other broadcasters to produce high quality programmes.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
With a progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards.
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Recently, Channel 4 has been threatened with privatisation, in whole or in part, a proposal that would threaten its public service remit. C4 is also lacking in art programmes.
6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
Channel 4 should continue to innovate and experiment across different platforms and it should aim to arrest the fall in the number of independent suppliers that it works with.
7) Look at page 10 - new kids on the block. What does the report say about new digital content providers and their link to public service broadcasting?
Streaming services such as Netflix are much more experienced in the streaming sector as opposed to PSBs making new content on platforms that they are not that well suited to.
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
Yes because it has such a rich and cultured history and is a reliable yet biased source of information. The BBC could form an alliance with other PSBs but that would result in them having to change their remits.
2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
I think it still remains important to keep a source of traditional news source and also a firm that knows the industry better than anyone else. They may not be ground breaking online but in physical, verbal or visual form, they are second to none.
3) Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
I don't think the BBC should change it as they heavily rely on it to survive in such a competitive world. They need the fee to ensure they can fund and sustain all of their current projects which will put them on par with their much more advanced counterparts.
More and more people are investing in smart viewing services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. 36% of adults have a smart TV in their home which means they have easy access to streaming platforms such as YouTube and NOW TV. This changes the face of traditional TV as the viewing numbers are rapidly declining.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Younger people watch around 49% more online videos than older people which highlights that the access to the internet could heavily impact the media you consume. Young people are a lot more likely to commit acts of piracy as opposed to older viewers.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
Overall, almost eight in ten adults say they are satisfied with PSB. This survey however was conducted via Skype interviews as opposed to telephone interviews so less older people would be able to do it as they cannot access the internet as freely as younger people. Of the 78% who were satisfied with PSB broadcasting, just under a quarter (24%) stated they were very satisfied. This compares to one in four (20%) in 2015 and is a significant increase.
4) Public service broadcasting channels are a major aspect of the UK cultural industries. How much money did PSB channels spend on UK-originated content in 2016?
£2.6 billion
Goldsmiths
1) What does the report state has changed in the UK television market in the last 20 years?
The proliferation of channels has reduced the market share of the public service broadcasters. New technology has facilitated on-demand access to television content, and created new services and platforms, while consumer behaviour has started to change rapidly, particularly among the young.
2) Look at page 4. What are the principles that the report suggests need to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in future?
Ofcom should carry out a regular qualitative audit of public service content in order to ensure that audiences are being served with high-quality and diverse programming. The PSB products should be available on new and emerging technology such as Smart TVs.
3) What does the report say about the BBC?
The BBC is vital to the television ecology and is very much ahead of its competitors. The report goes on to say that the BBC should continue to provide mixed programming and cater to all audiences as well as competing with other broadcasters to produce high quality programmes.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
With a progressive funding mechanism such as a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards.
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Recently, Channel 4 has been threatened with privatisation, in whole or in part, a proposal that would threaten its public service remit. C4 is also lacking in art programmes.
6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
Channel 4 should continue to innovate and experiment across different platforms and it should aim to arrest the fall in the number of independent suppliers that it works with.
7) Look at page 10 - new kids on the block. What does the report say about new digital content providers and their link to public service broadcasting?
Streaming services such as Netflix are much more experienced in the streaming sector as opposed to PSBs making new content on platforms that they are not that well suited to.
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
Yes because it has such a rich and cultured history and is a reliable yet biased source of information. The BBC could form an alliance with other PSBs but that would result in them having to change their remits.
2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
I think it still remains important to keep a source of traditional news source and also a firm that knows the industry better than anyone else. They may not be ground breaking online but in physical, verbal or visual form, they are second to none.
3) Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
I don't think the BBC should change it as they heavily rely on it to survive in such a competitive world. They need the fee to ensure they can fund and sustain all of their current projects which will put them on par with their much more advanced counterparts.
Thursday 5 December 2019
The Cultural Industries
1) What does the term 'Cultural Industries' actually refer to?
The creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature. Cultural industries include television and film production, publishing, music, as well as crafts and design.
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
They are highly profitable to countries that are highly developed such as the UK or the US. They are normally dominated by huge conglomerates like Fox or Sky.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
It strikes the people that live in those actual environments to challenge and question the state of their own society. This separates the active consumer from the passive.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
• Risky business
• Creativity versus commerce
• High production costs and low reproduction costs
• Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
The logo might be a problem as they want to create something innovative but they also want to avoid offence. The cultural industry is infamous for making things that people don't need but necessarily get interested in. With other industries, the audience knows what to expect by using star power or 'authorship function'. The risk of failure is minimised by predictable formats.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
Media should be able to express certain qualities of artistic value but if you are a conglomerate like Disney and you want to make a lot of profit which could result in a new Marvel movie being made as it is a comfortable format and the fanbase is extremely loyal. In another sense, Media should not limit the way and quantity of artistic value - expressive creativity. These are sectors like Art House film or niche topics such as Top gear magazine.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
Conglomerates make their money through their subsidiaries as they are more likely to get profit if they have many companies making money.They are often involved in creating media products such as film, TV and print.
They purchase their subsidiaries through vertical integration where a bigger company buys a smaller company that does a similar thing to them such as produce print or film.
They reduce risks by using the smaller companies that are experienced in this field to produce the product as they can minimise the risk if that product failing.
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I feel that the people who make the money should get paid more. It has a feeling of whoever does more work should get paid higher amounts. I don't think that the creative minds are getting paid as much as they should and that if it's the artistic value that is the main selling factor, the creative people should get a significant wad of cash.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
Shows that the Oscars view visual effects as a method that WAS good. The VFX artists were protested that their industry was being crushed by outside political and economical forces. Lots of companies were bankrupt. VFX was struggling to keep its head above the water. VFX was becoming more of a valuable trait but the amount that they were getting paid was a lot less than the revenue they were generating.
10) What is commodification?
This is when you make things that will sell. This is the transformation of products in order to become commodities. Commodification spreads the idea that owning something or holding property of something gives you the right to exclude others.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
Some media texts display a very small view or stereotypical view of minorities in society and this could be based on economic or environmental challenges. I agree that there should be more texts which represent not only of diverse society as a whole, but by zooming into specific and representative members of the public.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed? Identify the three most significant developments and explain why you think they are the most important.
Digitalisation, Powerful tech companies and cultural products can be shared internationally.
Technology plays an immensely vital part in our lives and we, as the cultural industries, choose t take advantage of our dependence in things like social media and the internet as they are more likely to sell. The cultural industries are competing with huge tech companies which have more expert knowledge than their more outdated rivals.
The creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature. Cultural industries include television and film production, publishing, music, as well as crafts and design.
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
They are highly profitable to countries that are highly developed such as the UK or the US. They are normally dominated by huge conglomerates like Fox or Sky.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
It strikes the people that live in those actual environments to challenge and question the state of their own society. This separates the active consumer from the passive.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
• Risky business
• Creativity versus commerce
• High production costs and low reproduction costs
• Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
The logo might be a problem as they want to create something innovative but they also want to avoid offence. The cultural industry is infamous for making things that people don't need but necessarily get interested in. With other industries, the audience knows what to expect by using star power or 'authorship function'. The risk of failure is minimised by predictable formats.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
Media should be able to express certain qualities of artistic value but if you are a conglomerate like Disney and you want to make a lot of profit which could result in a new Marvel movie being made as it is a comfortable format and the fanbase is extremely loyal. In another sense, Media should not limit the way and quantity of artistic value - expressive creativity. These are sectors like Art House film or niche topics such as Top gear magazine.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
Conglomerates make their money through their subsidiaries as they are more likely to get profit if they have many companies making money.They are often involved in creating media products such as film, TV and print.
They purchase their subsidiaries through vertical integration where a bigger company buys a smaller company that does a similar thing to them such as produce print or film.
They reduce risks by using the smaller companies that are experienced in this field to produce the product as they can minimise the risk if that product failing.
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I feel that the people who make the money should get paid more. It has a feeling of whoever does more work should get paid higher amounts. I don't think that the creative minds are getting paid as much as they should and that if it's the artistic value that is the main selling factor, the creative people should get a significant wad of cash.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
Shows that the Oscars view visual effects as a method that WAS good. The VFX artists were protested that their industry was being crushed by outside political and economical forces. Lots of companies were bankrupt. VFX was struggling to keep its head above the water. VFX was becoming more of a valuable trait but the amount that they were getting paid was a lot less than the revenue they were generating.
10) What is commodification?
This is when you make things that will sell. This is the transformation of products in order to become commodities. Commodification spreads the idea that owning something or holding property of something gives you the right to exclude others.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
Some media texts display a very small view or stereotypical view of minorities in society and this could be based on economic or environmental challenges. I agree that there should be more texts which represent not only of diverse society as a whole, but by zooming into specific and representative members of the public.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed? Identify the three most significant developments and explain why you think they are the most important.
Digitalisation, Powerful tech companies and cultural products can be shared internationally.
Technology plays an immensely vital part in our lives and we, as the cultural industries, choose t take advantage of our dependence in things like social media and the internet as they are more likely to sell. The cultural industries are competing with huge tech companies which have more expert knowledge than their more outdated rivals.
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