YEAR 13 LESSON 28/29 [5th/8th Jan 15]: Homework

Back at it.
THE INTERVIEW...Media issues and debates linked to this media moment?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30507306
The coursework will demand that students explore issues that relate to the contemporary media world so students must be aware of current media moments through which media issues and debates can be explored. The issues surrounding THE INTERVIEW would make an excellent slice of coursework.

The aim of the first two sessions of 2015 was to explore issues relating to the mock exam. One of the exam questions will be the following:
EVALUATE WHETHER NEW DIGITAL MEDIA IS A THREAT OR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDIA PRODUCERS.
We have discussed the issues surrounding this area of media many times. Students need to consider Producers that have embraced the potential of the digital age.

• THE BBC is a media producer that has embraced the possibilities of the digital age to offer its audience the best public service that it can possibly provide. The basic remit of the BBC is to inform, educate and entertain and digital media is used by this institution to access this remit. Students need to focus on specific examples of digital innovation to illustrate how this producer has seen the digital; age as an opportunity rather than a threat. For example focus on how digital media is used to promote Radio One or Radio Five. How is digital media used to promote a specic programme? Reference could be made to programme specific websites, blogs, podcasts, videocasts, social media, DVD sales, The I-Player etc...RESEARCH REQUIRED. Remember, critics of the BBC refer to the fact that the licence fee provides the BBC with an unfair financial advantage. Is this a fair criticism? James Murdoch [Rupert's son!] has stated in the past that this unfair financial advantage does not encourage competition therefore stifles the ability of other producers to make a profit from their media. What do you think?

• Many book shops have closed due to the invention of the kindle and the power of Amazon. However, some elements of the publishing industry have perceived the digital revolution as an opportunity to offer a much improved and diverse service to the audience. I urge all students to research the website of Faber and Faber. The book is perceived to be dying in the digital age, so how are Faber and Faber reacting to the possibilities of the digital age? Reference could also be made to AMANDA HOCKING and how she links to this argument. Amanda self-published her work after being rejected by many publishing houses. She is a wonderful example of the Audience using the possibility and potential of digital media to become the Producer. She saw the digital revolution as a creative opportunity to share her work with a global audience.

• Examples of producers who have found the digital world  'threatening' could focus upon the traditional MUSIC INDUSTRY or RUPERT MURDOCH's THE DAILY..with possible reference to the failure of MY SPACE. Remember...the music industry is another great example of how accessible and cheap digital media has allowed the audience to become the producer. The digital age may be terrifying for the music industry but for people who genuinely love music, or create music, digital media has provided an opportunity to consume or create music in a manner that was not previously possible in the analogue world

In ONE HOUR I expect students to produce at least THREE detailed paragraphs and a conclusion that directly evaluates the focus of the question. 

The second question will be:
'NEW DIGITAL MEDIA HAS CREATED A MORE DEMOCRATIC WORLD AS IT HAS EMPOWERED THE INDIVIDUAL.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?

We have discussed this issue and students recently produced a series of essays that explored this issue. Students need to consider how digital media has allowed the individual to access values and ideologies that move beyond the mainstream ideology presented by mainstream media. The You Tube platform with Russell Brand's 'Trews' is a fine example of this argument.
YOU KNOW THE ARGUMENTS!!
The last set of essays were weak because they had a WEAK QUESTION FOCUS and did not really offer any evaluative analysis. If you choose to attempt the democracy question, try and improve these key areas of the response.

GOOD LUCK MEDIA FREAKS.