Reflection

As an undergraduate and a first time blogger, I must be aware of my blogging rights, which is what I can and cannot do on my blog to avoid legal consequences. Freedom of Speech is a right and a privilege, there are rules. Therefore, I should make sure to write ethically to avoid defamation and must take extra care on the sensitivity of culture difference for it may be offensive as different cultures have different context (Kress & Van Leeuwen, 1998).  My blog should have quality and credibility as such; research for the right content is needed. In addition, I should include referencing and source linking to credible sites, properly done by listing the credentials of the blogger and guest writers to avoid copyright infringement. The blog design is equally important but a simple one is sufficient. Make sure it is easily readable with the right background colors and placement of text (Mansoor, 2012).

(154 words)

Reference:

·         Kress, G & Van Leeuwen,T, 1998, ‘Front Pages: The Critical Analysis of a Newspaper Layout’, in Bell A, Garret P, ‘Approaches to Media Discourse’, Blackwell, Oxford Publication, pp. 186-219.

·         Mansoor, H 2008, 100 Blogging Tips for Bloggers-Blogger’s Guide, EzineArticles, viewed 10^th June 2012, http://ezinearticles.com/?100-Blogging-Tips-For-Bloggers---Bloggers-Guide&id=1733226.

Malaysia 'bans' Peter Mayle book ‘Where did I come from?’

               (Source: news.bbcimg.co.uk, 2012)                     (Source: images.betterworldbooks.com, 2000)

The book "Where did I come from?" by Peter Mayle is banned from sale in Malaysia. The purpose of the illustrated book is to help parents explain sex eduction to children. The book will be totally banned if found to contain harmful elements to public moral and corrupt minds (BBC News, 2012). In my opinion, books like are necessary in today's modern world, however the graphics of the book need to be omitted or obscured the parts that are deemed offensive to suit the conservative cultures of Malaysia Muslim.

 

Umno Youth’s, Datuk Muhd Khairun Aseh, was apparently the first who noted the book and lodged a complaint, prompting the government to order the book to be removed from shelves for investigation (China Daily, 2012).

The ministry further obtained booksellers country co-operation to cease sales immediately. The ministry is taking action under the Printing Presses and Publication Act 1984. The Home Ministry said anyone convicted of circulating and distributing the book would be fined 20,000 ringgit ($6,612) or jailed three years or both. (China Daily, 2012)

Although, I believe the book was meant for educational purposes, but the graphics are too offensive to the predominantly Muslim community as according to (Kimmelman, 2006). An official complained that the degree of obscenity in the book was too much and is a violation of Section 292 of the Penal Code, which deals with distribution or sale of pornographic materials (Chong, 2012). This reflects the immaturity of one’s view of sex but to some others it is harmless to expose the children young about the facts of life. Nevertheless, the action taken by the ministry is to protect the public interest and morality.

Publications which are deemed sensitive topics are regullarly banned. The book entitled "Islamic Sex" , a sex manual book was banned because its content infringed censorship laws.

In conclusion, I agree with the ban if it offends the conservative cultures of Muslim community. For in any country you have to abide by the rules and regulations, but there is also Internet.

(340 words)

Reference:

·         BBC News 2012, Malaysia ‘bans’ Peter Mayle book Where did I come from?, BBC News, viewed 10^th June 2012, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17112635.

·         ChinaDailyUSA 2012, Malaysia Bans Children Sex Education Book, China Daily USA, viewed 10^th June 2012, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/usa/world/2012-02/23/content_14678442.htm.

·         Chong, D 2012, Home Ministry shelves children’s book on sex education, The Malaysian Insider, viewed 10^th June 2012, http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/home-ministry-shelves-childrens-book-on-sex-education.

·         Sweeny, R 2007 ‘Adding Insult to Imagery? Art Education and Censorship’ Art Education, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 45-50.

North Korea Restores Order to Kim Funeral with Photoshop (ABC News)

                                                                        (Source: farm8.staticflickr.com, 2011)

A photo of the funeral procession for Kim Jong-II released by the North Korea’s state news agency to European Pressphoto Agency in Germany differs from a photo taken by Japan agency Kyodo News. Although both photos were taken almost the same time, the Japanese picture captured some images behind the line of mourners on the left side have been digitally removed in the Korean’s photo. The alterations to the photo were discovered by the New York Times and relayed to Germany-based European Pressphoto Agency (EPA). EPA subsequently, issued an order to stop the use to its client, as it violates EPA’s code of ethics.

In my opinion, the doctored to perfected manner photo seems like a respectable thing to do for the Koreans for their late leader last journey but on the other hand, it is not ethical for photojournalism. As according to The Evangelical Press Association, EPA‘s code of ethics; Principle 2: Pursuit of truth on photography. It states; charts, graphs, illustrations, and photographs should not distort information or mislead readers. Alterations that change the substance or the meaning of journalistic photographs should be avoided.

Photojournalism, like journalism, is an honorable profession and they have their moral principles and ethical codes of conduct to maintain.  The doctored photo is seen as manipulations by cropping.  Manipulating images is; "like limited nuclear war. There ain't any" (Ritchin, 1984). In addition, Jack Com, director of photography for the Chicago Tribune said manipulations are "ethically, morally and journalistically horrible" (Reaves 1987).

In conclusion, as (Chapnick, 1982) eloquently summed up, the dangers to journalism with such manipulations costs credibility and responsibility which by not maintaining that credibility will diminish journalistic impact and self-respect, and the importance of photography as communication. The threat to credibility is irreversible if the public starts to mistrust the integrity of the news photograph. 

(304 words)

Reference:

• Evangelical Press Association 2012, ‘EPA codes of Ethics’, Evangelical Press Association, viewed on 9^th June 2012, http://www.epassoc.org/About-EPA/ethics.html.
• Lester, P 1991, Photo Journalism An Ethical Approach, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, New Jersey.
• Mooney, M 2011, North Korea Restores Order to Kim Funeral With Photoshop, ABC news, viewed 10th June 2012, http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/12/north-korea-restores-order-to-kim-funeral-with-photoshop/.

Kony2012: once information goes viral, there's no stopping it

                                                                            (Source: africanarguments.org, 2012)

There are many advantages and disadvantages in sharing information especially on the World Wide Web. The viral power of the web is not to be underestimated especially when it comes to spreading sensitive issues. For example, the video “KONY 2012”, a film campaign created by the non-profit group Invisible Children with the aim of raising international attention on the Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, leader of the rebel called the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). They are gathering wide public support for his arrest following his indictment by the International Criminal Court in 2005. The video went viral as it moves the emotion of millions as according to Berger & Milkman, 2012, emotion shapes virality and positive content that strongly moves people’s emotions tend to be the most viral in the online community.

In addition to the video, the content also spread through social interaction as the influence is more effective than through a magazine, newspaper or television advertisement (Katz & Lazarsfeld, 1955). Although the purpose of the video was for good intentions, sharing information can be dangerous when it is misuse or it can sometimes be difficult to identify as whether it is accurate, credible or misrepresented.

Moreover, searching for information online is difficult when it comes to identifying the real facts from the inaccurate materials, comments and personal opinions. Misinformation is nothing new but the problem is that it spreads faster and farther than the corrections, especially on social media and the Internet has increased that problem, making it even more challenging for news media to maintain their role as online watchdogs. People need to be responsible over their content as O’Neil, 1992 says, a free market with free press that supplies a diversity of opinion and access to information need citizens to act in a responsible manner.

A certain degree of responsibility by citizens is needed when uploading information online that is to be taken seriously by the public needs to be supported and thoroughly investigated.

(326 words)

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc.

Reference:

·         Berger, J & Milkman, K 2012, ‘What Makes Online Content Viral’, Journal of Marketing Research, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 192-205.

·         Cherubini, F 2012, Kony2012: once information goes viral, there’s no stopping it, World Association of Newspapers and Newspublishers, viewed 9^th June 2012, http://www.editorsweblog.org/2012/03/09/kony2012-once-information-goes-viral-theres-no-stopping-it.

·         Kalpaklioglu, N & Toros, N 2011, ‘Viral Marketing Techniques Within Online Social Network’, Journal of Yasar University, vol.6, no. 24, pp. 4112-4129.

·         Keeble, R 2001, Ethics for Journalists, Routledge, London.

The highly sexual art of selling perfume

 

(Source: cdn.babble.com, 2010)                   (Source: style.popcrunch.com, 2010)

Fragrance has always been linked to desire and sexual attraction when it comes to perfume. However there has always been an issue in its advertising as certain advertisements tend to stereotypically link women in provocative or sexually suggestive poses. Many people believe that by reinforcing harmful stereotypes in their advertisements, they somehow should be held accountable (Holsinger & Dilts, 1997).

The ad for Madonna’s Fragrant “Truth or Dare” was banned by the ABC network in the States until re-edited as it is deemed too inappropriate for the mainstream media. As like, the other celebrities’ ads, which have sexually explicit reference in the advertisements. Advertisers need to observe moral principles and ethics so the ads are not offensive or indecent. In addition, the ads are also anti-feminist as it portrays women as sex objects. This is a gross violation of women’s rights for they project a negative role model in relation to self-image.

According to Ad week contributor Robert Klara, marketers have lost the meaning of why people wear fragrances and that cologne is now positioned solely around young people and it is using sex to sell. To my opinion, one can argued that sex sells and is good for business, but by pushing to their limits they should also not ignore the potential social consequences. (Chitakornkijsil, 2012). Furthermore, the marketing of perfume are targeted for the young people and I believe the advertisements may have unanticipated side effects.

Apparently, most high-end brands are usually the ones who create the most overt and disturbing material. It has started to be interpreted as something that is highly sensual. The concern here is focusing on getting male attention while devaluing women in submission and as sexual service providers for males which is a bad influence for young girls’ morals and corrupt minds.

In conclusion, advertisers and marketers alike must not compromise their professionalism and integrity for the sake of their financial gain (Chitakornkijsil, 2012).

(321 words)

Reference:

·         Chitakornkijsil, P 2012, ‘BRAND INTEGRITY, ADVERTISING AND MARKETING ETHICS AS WELL AS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.’, International Journal of Organizational Innovation, vol. 4, no. 4, pp.109-130.

·         Holsinger, R & Dilts, J 1997, Media Law, 4^th edn, McGraw-Hill, United States of America.

·         Keeble, R 2001, Ethics for Journalists, Routledge, London.

·         Oakes, S 2012, The highly sexual art of selling perfume, Daily Life, viewed 9^th June 2012, http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-beauty/the-highly-sexual-art-of-selling-perfume-20120518-1yvd4.html.