Broadcast News and Current Affairs

4. Discuss some of the problems that might arise in the scheduling of news and/or current affairs programmes.

The extremely busy and fast nature of the media accompanied by the audiences demand for constant and easy access has transformed the workings of the news industry.

We are all used to the daily news programmes appearing religiously at certain times throughout the day and have become a staple to some in their lives. ITV's News at Ten in particular, became more of a national constitution than merely a news programme. This idea of regular, up to date news programme has also spread to the likes of GMTV which itself has a regular quick fire news update among its celebrity based entertainment.

However, despite an almost continous cycle of up to news, the attempts of scheduling around the lives of the average joe can still cause problems. It is logical for such programmes in question to air at times where the viewership will be at it's most highest. These generally seem to be around dinner time or before a major soap which in turn bring in a huge majority of viewers. An example for this instance is the BBC programme, The One Show. Designed as a topical magazine show, the programme does feature up to date news events and stories but differs from other Current affairs programmes such as Panorama in that it also features celebrity guests and entertainment. However, the said panorama is a sterling example of a current affairs programme and also one which may suffer from scheduling.

Panorama is a long running current affairs programme on BBC One which presents investigative journalism into topical subjects in a documentary format. Presented as a indepth investigation, Panorama looks deep into controversial subjects which have dominated the headlines such as child abuse, stem cell research and the NHS. It's often damaging and stark findings makes it compelling viewing and is a champion of freedom of the press. However, it's slot time of 8:30pm reflects its controversial coverage but it may also hinder the viewership, even more so as it follows popular soap, Eastenders.

Regular & Censorship

Either by reference to contemporary cinema or an earlier period, discuss how regulation and censorship have been challenged by social, cultural or technological change.

Ever since the dawn of man, our species has been subject to evolution. From the beginnings of a primitive race to the modern and technically advanced society we are today, one common and recurring theme through history has been that of change.

Change can be triggered in many ways but most importantly are those changes in coherence with our radically evolving perspective of what we deem as acceptable and we don’t. Social, cultural and political progression are often the forerunners and dictators of our ever changing society and advancements in technology has increasingly gained an equal influence.

The film industry has witness and felt much of these changing pressures throughout it’s history and has the unique ability to represent specific periods of time; representing different feelings, different opinions, different social and political meanings unlike no other medium.

What we can and can’t see on film has chopped and changed over the years and is often the focus of intense media attention. Music has also grown to be an equally controversial art form in terms of content, but film continues to be of particular highlight.

Arguably, the film industries censorship and regulation debate came to its most pivotal point in the late 1970’s with the mass success of the videocassette recorder (VCR). For the first time ever, the general public had the means to watch, re-watch, rewind and record film and television. The videocassette recorder was a hit and the film industry reaped the profits through their sales of VHS.

But it was this new viewing experience which began to materialize in serious problems for the industry which can still be seen today.

By the early 1980’s, public outcry ensued over the material being made available on VHS. At this time, there was no regulations or censorship laws in place, regulating the films being produced and sold to the public. One of the films at the center of the controversy was Cannibal Holocaust (1980) which was promoted to of contained real animal cruelty. Ironically, the makers of Cannibal Holocaust sent a letter to famous British campaigner, Mary Whitehouse, complaining about their own film. There intentions of gaining significant sales quickly backfired and the film became one of the first ‘Video Nasties’. Subsequently, a list was drawn up, identifying the films which were deemed unacceptable for release and were out right banned.

The result was the introduction of the Video Recordings Act 1984 with the BBFC became responsible to certificating both video and cinema releases. It’s aim to curb the distribution, cuts and versions spread from low budget horrors to more mainstream productions with The Exorcist being particularly hit. The film, although passed for release prior to the Act, was withdrawn from shops which ultimately only added to its notoriety.

By the 1990’s, the laws began to relax significantly and the horror industry was a thriving genre of cinema. However, controversy was not far and was once again in the intense media spotlight in 1993. Two children aged ten years old, abducted, tortured and murdered a three year old boy. The murder was likened to a scene from the popular horror franchise, Childs Play 3. This weak and unfound connection was enough to spark more negative attention on the film industry and was singled out as a major motive for the two boy’s actions. The attention dwindled but Child’s Play was not the last film to be accused of influences its viewers. Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers released in 1994 caused similar outcry after various copycat crimes, including a 13 year old boy decapitating a class mate. The film was also banned completely banned in Ireland and still is a hotly debated topic.

CRITICAL RESEARCH : QUESTION 2

With detailed reference to your research findings, analyse and discuss whether there is a negative portrayal of Italian-Americans within the Media.

My aim was to discover whether Italian-Americans are negatively portrayed within the American media. While I was not entirely surprised my findings, I was not previously aware before I undertook this research the extent of public outcry over Italian stereotypes.

Although I had seen The Godfather (1972) before, this was the first time of viewing that I specifically looked to whether the characters of the story reflected Italian-Americans negatively. Even without seeing the film, reading the film's synopsis would instantly tell you that this film is a portrayal of the Mafia and their co-existence in New York City. The film identifies the Italian culture as one of family and respect, words uttered regularly by Marlon Brando's Don Corleone and his fictional son, Michael, played by Al Pacino. These being of high regard in Italian culture are transferred to the organized crime business where the business is kept within the family and all those who serve under the Don must show their undying respect. I unidentified a source of criticism being the portrayal of Italian women in the film. Vito Corleone's wife is portrayed as an overweight older woman speaking broken English who's main role is the care for children and cook. I have found this to be a common stereotype for Italian women. The 'Family' business is run entirely by men and the daughter, Connie Corleone, is subjected to domestic abuse.

CRITICAL RESEARCH : QUESTION 1

Give an account of, and evaluate the research methods you used to investigate whether Italian-Americans are portrayed negatively within the American media.

My chosen topic for investigation was 'Crime and the edia'. Within this topic I decided to focus whether Italian-Americans were portrayed negatively in the Media, mainly through Mafia or gangster stereotypes.

To enable me to do my investigation I used a series of both primary and secondary research methods in order the gain the most possible coverage. Undertaking primary research allowed me to develop my skills as a researcher and the secondary research gave me good grounds to compare and contrast my findings with other sources.

As part of my secondary research I began to watch and analysis I series of popular film and television serials which depict Italian-American characters. It was important to chose the appropriate material as they would have to be the best examples of Italian stereotypes within an American product. From my general knowledge of cinema, I quickly identified The Godfather (1972) an appropriate film due to it's huge popularity and critical acclaim. Other sources I chose were Analyze This (1999) and the television series The Sopranos (1999). I found these to be good examples of Italian stereotypes, particularly Analyze This which takes an comedic look at the Mafia life.

As I was entering unknown terriorty, I also decided to research the begins of Italian immigration to the United States is hope of gaining a wider understanding of Italian-Americans culture and history. I used www.wikipedia.org whch offered an easy and fairly detailed infomation of the desired subject.

As I wanted to represent the whole spectrum of the media, I looked closely at the advertisment industry which have encorperated Italian-American stereotypes into their medium. I found youtube to be a great source which had a indepth catalogue of past and present American adverts ranging fro Pepsi to the pizza. I also desired to look as further in to public response as possible so I took into account the user comments left by the public on the youtube (channelhttp://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=mafia+advertisement&aq=f) .

Another great source was google which led me to the Italian American One Voice Coalition (http://www.iaonevoicecoalition.org) which offered great resources on the public's opinions on the negative portrayal italian americans within the media.

BROADCAST NEWS - CASE STUDY

1. "Justice minister Malik steps down" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8051091.stm)

Labour MP Shahid Malik has stepped down as Justice Minister pending investigation into claims about his expenses made by the Daily Telegraph.

This is a new development of a long running story that various members or Parliament have been using tax payers money for their own expenses. First revealed by the Daily Telegraph, the story has grown to be the biggest and most controversial current talking point of the British Media.

This particular story was first reported on Friday 15th May 2009 but its part of a bigger story that has been going on for over two weeks.

This a news worthy story as it continues the current high profile criticism of the government. As the general public are the tax payers, this story directly effects the public and has caused great embarrassment for the government and rightly caused outcry from the public.

I believe that the agenda behind this story is to bring further pressure on the government and the Prime Minister to take decisive action on the story. I feel it is also to cause further embarrassment to the officials involved but also the pin point those specifically responsible. Many of those who have been caught red handed dipping into the the tax payers money have subsequently been suspended or have voluntarily stepped down.

I don't feel the article is biased. It clearly states that the MP in question is under investigation rather than labelling him guilty from the set go. The word 'alleged' is also used frequently. It also clearly states quotes from Mr. Malik in which he claims that he 'Stuck million percent to the rules'.

I assume that the information within this article was taken from the newspaper which first broke the story of MP expenses, The Daily Telegraph. The Prime Minister's spokesman has also commented on the story stating that Mr. Malik is expected to return his post if his innocence is proved.

The article features a video response from Mr. Malik which gives the reader a more personal look into the story and Mr. Malik himself. By appearing in a video message expressing his innocence, it is assumed that Shahid Malik is confident that the claims about his expenses will be proven false or in his own words a 'fabrication'.

This article does not offer any public opinion polls or comments.

The same story is reported on tabloid newspaper, The Sun, website. (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2430618.ece). Surprisingly, while the article is marginally more biased against Mr. Malik, the report is similar to that on the BBC website. Both feature the same wordings such as 'pending' and quoted similar parts of Shahid Malik's video response. However, The Sun does show its sensationalist nature by labelling the corresponding picture of Mr. Malik as 'Shameful' and exaggerates certain words such as 'two hours' by having it in bold lettering. This emphasis the word and generally sensationalized the story further to be deemed more shocking.


2. ''Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hits back at Emirates fans'' (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/5328738/Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger-hits-back-at-Emirates-fans.html)

Arsenal's long serving manager, Arsene Wenger, has come under scrutiny for the clubs lack of silverware and the Frenchmen's persistence to nurture young players rather than spend big bucks like fierce rivals Manchester United and Liverpool. Wenger came out fighting after a Q&A session and insisted the fans need to do more to support his team.

This is a new story as it is the result of a Q&A session at a shareholders meeting. However, Arsenal's manager has been under pressure in the past to rectify Arsenal's distinctive lack of silverware for the last four seasons.

This will seem newsworthy to Arsenal fans and general football lovers. Arsenal have a rich history of being major contenders for the Premier League title since it's formation in the early 90's. However, as football has become more and more money based, teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have taken this incensive to invest millions into their teams and have gained success both at home and abroad since doing so. Arsene Wenger has opted to nuture young players rather than invest heavily which has seen the Londoners fall behind their league rivals.

SHOCKING CINEMA #2

The Da Vinci Code (Dir. Ron Howard, 2006)


What we deem as shocking or offensive has changed drastically since the dawn on cinema as much as and as quickly as time itself. We find ourselves disensitized to the blood and gore which used to shock us so, and we no longer frown upon profanity like we once did.

However, a constant source of shock and uproar in film is that of religion.

The Da Vinci Code was released in 2003 and was an adaptation of the popular book by Dan Brown. The film was equally as controversial as the book itself, due to its subject matter and intepretation of the christian faith. It recieved feirce criticsm, largely by the catholic church who urged the public to boycott the film.

Many of the early showings gained mass protest from religious groups. The catholic group Opus Dei that is featured heavily in both film and book, released a statement asking Sony Pictures to release an edited version of the Da Vinci Code that would not distort the views of the christian faith. On Easter 2006, the Opus Dei put further pressure on Sony Pictures, this time asking for a disclaimer to be placed at the start of the filming stating that the film is completely ficticious and is respectful to Jesus Christ. Sony refused.

U.S Bishops launched a website concerning the errors and serious misstatements in the Da Vinci Code. The film was also rated morally offensive by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Office For Film and Broadcasting.

The public also expressed offence upon its release. The climax of the film at its showing at Cannes film festival was met with a chorus of boos than the usual applause.

The offence caused by the Da Vinci wasnt always strictly religious. The film gained small negative attention due to its portrayal of the antagonist silas, from Albinism group NOAH. They argued that the film gave those suffering from Albinism as bad name.

The film suffered huge censoring and outright banning across the world in Thailand, Somoa, Singapore, India, Phillipines, Faroe Islands and the Soloman Islands. Interestingly, the film passed censorship in China, however the film was adruptly removed from public viewing by orders of the government. No reason was given.

HERO (2002)

Facts about Hero;

• It is the most expensive Chinese film to date.
• Jackie Chan was offered a role but turned it down.
• First foreign language film to be number 1 at the american box office.
• Quentin Tarrantino was a major player in the release of Hero in America.
• Jet Li agreed a paycut to appear in this film.
• Is in Mandarin.
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