Identities and Film

1) Complete the Twenty Statements Test yourself. This means answering the question ‘Who am I?’ 20 times with 20 different answers. What do they say about your identity? Write the 20 answers in full on your blog.

1. I am a Sikh
2. I am a daughter
3. I am a Libra
4. I am a baker
5. I am a photographer
6. I am a media student
7. I am a Netflix addict 
8. I am a going to visit India 
9. I am a navigator (A methodical organizer) You've got your plan and you've got things in order.
10. I am eighteen
11. I am a going to visit Australia 
12. I am the youngest sibling
13. I am a British Asian
14. I am a hard worker
15. I am a wannabe multimedia journalist
16. I am a goal orientated 
17. I am a friendly
18. I am a caring 
19. I am a team player 
20. I am a keen scrapbooker

2) Classify your answers into the categories listed on the Factsheet: Social groups, ideological beliefs, interests etc.

• Social Groups + Classifications 
• Self Evaluations 
• Ideological beliefs
• Interests
• Ambitions

3) Go back to your favourite film (as identified in the lesson). What does this choice of film say about your identity? Are there any identities within the film (e.g. certain characters) that particularly resonated with your values and beliefs?

There are many other films that I really like, but I chose 'Martian' directed by Ridley Scott. I feel that by choosing this film it identifies me as a person who doesn't give up or let obstacles get my way to reach a solution. I like to challenge the norm and find my own way of doing things even if they are challenging, just like Matt Damon character. It was challenging for food to be grown, given that it was said that it is impossible. However. he had to survive so despite the challenge he still found a way. 

4) Watch the trailers for the five films highlighted as examples of gay/lesbian representation in mainstream film. How are LGBT identities constructed in the trailers and how are audiences encouraged to respond to these representations?

The Kids are Alright 

LGBT identities are constructed to show that you should always explore your identity, in society we are told that we are genetically programmed to be attracted to the opposite sex and that this is the status quo however by centering the film around a lesbian couple the LGBT identity is shown as normal and not a part of a person's identity that should be thought any less of or different to heterosexual people; which is how they have previously been portrayed with 'gay' marriage being illegal in the UK until not too long ago. It was seen as so out of the ordinary that two men or two women wanted to get married that many people fought hard against it when in fact we are all the same. From the representation of the LGBT community in this film, the audience are encouraged to be open minded and essentially 'not to judge a book by its cover'. They are encouraged to see that groups of people shouldn't be separated just because of the range of aspects to their identities. 

Pride

The LGBT identity is constructed in this film to show that you should be proud of who you are and not let opinions in society stop you from doing what you want to do as the LGBT community didn't in the film. They wanted to help the miners so they did. The audience are encouraged to see this representation of LGBT people as a positive addition to society that should be openly welcomed. They are also encouraged to explore other areas of people's identities rather than just immediately judging them, as evident in the film when the lady says "I was hoping you could clear something up for me..." 

The Wedding Banquet

The LGBT identity is constructed in The Wedding Banquet to show audiences that it is something that such people feel they have to hide. This is evident, in the film as the two main characters are in a relationship together but the black-haired individual in the still above cannot disclose such to his parents so he marries a girl to stop their questions. Auidences are encouraged to see that those who identify as LGBT are no different to the rest of us and see that they should not have to hide their identity as it is who they really are, but they have no choice because of the reactions it gets and has got in the past. 

Philadelphia

The LGBT identity is built to show the inequalities that the LGBT community has faced in the past and to an extent may face now, evident with the storyline being based around somebody being fired as they were 'gay' but what was actually said was that he was fired because he had 'aids'. The film shows the individual taking a proactive stand to define his identity. The audience are encouraged to see the LGBT community as an equal part of society who deserve to be treated politely and with respect as we wish to be treated. 

Wilde

The LGBT identity is built to show how much the community is underrepresented and how much they are looked down upon. This strand of their identity was something that appeared to bring shame to the heterosexual lead in the film evident by the line "you will seise to see Wilde or i will cut you off without a penny".  The audience are encouraged to the representations that this film portrays as a negative standpoint of the LGBT community and encouraged to see how this must change. 

Feminism in the media: Recent Examples Summaries

Feminism in the media: examples

If you're looking for recent examples of feminism in the media then you'll find plenty. Prime Minister Theresa May is personally overseeing work on domestic violence legislation and there have been many other stories over the last few years that we can link to feminism. Here are just a few you may want to read up on:

Caroline Criado-Perez: female presence on banknotes

• A few weeks ago Caroline won her battle with the Bank Of England to have women reinstated on the back of the English banknote. 

• She was surprised that they caved to her demands, but it is no surprise as she did threaten to sue them under the 2010 Equality Act. 

• Caroline had campaigned ever since prison reformer Elizerbeth Fry was taken off the five pound notes and replaced by Winston Churchill. 

Emma Watson: HeForShe gender equality campaign

• Emma set up this campaign to end gender inequality, it is the first of its kind in the UN

• HeForShe is inviting people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality.

Ched Evans: petition to prevent footballer accused of rape playing

• Ched Evans was convicted of rape and his conviction was later quashed after being appealed.

• Since the appeal was won, Evans has faced a lot of critism from fans and women's groups alike over potentially returning to sport

• Nobody as been more active, than feminist campaigner Jean Hatchet. She was behind a online petition to stop Ched Evans returning to his club. The petition managed to collect over 160,000 signatures.

• Her campaign is one of the fatest growing online petitions ever and definately swayed the desicions of football club bosses. 

Controversial FCKH8 campaign: ‘Potty Mouth Princess’

• Most people would agree the gender wage gap is bad, but is it more or less bad than adults profit motivated instructing little girls to curse for a viral video?

• In a nutshell, the false equivalence at the heart of a new and wildly controversial video by the t-shirt brand FCKH8, which has racked in 100,000 views on YouTube alone.

•  FCKH8, is a for profit company owned entirely by Synergy Media - a corporate branding studio. 

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 27th February (50)

Disney lays off 80 at Maker and digital media unit

http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/02/23/disney-lays-off-80-at-maker-and-digital-media-unit.html

Summary

Walt Disney is laying off a number of people from its digital media unit. This move is said to streamline redundancies from the incorporation of Maker into its consumer products and interactive media unit toward the end of last year. Some of the layoffs are due to Maker reducing its influencer network. Andrew Sugerman executive vice president of content and media at DCPI said “We’re building a digital media network of Disney and non-Disney content for kids and millennials on the platforms they use every day,". He continued "For advertisers, this network offers mobile, video, short-form content, micro-content, and influencers, all at scale."

Key Statistics

• Disney is laying off 80 people in its digital media division

• Disney brought Maker back in 2014, in a deal worth as much as $950 million. $500 million in cash and stock plus and the promise of another $450 million if certain financial targets were met. 

• The purchase hasn't planned out as they liked though, after a few rounds of layoffs and ultimately earning $175 million of that potential $450 million for a final price tag of $675 million

• In December, almost exactly a year after taking over the position of 'head of maker' from Ynon Kreiz, Courtney Holt stepped down.

My Opinion

Personally, I am incredibly surprised that Disney has laid off people from there digital media division. With the way that NDM is developing I would have thought that this division would have been one of the ones to grow rapidly. It seems that they are merging departments together to achieve one overall goal of making their content both Disney and non-Disney accessible on a number of platforms which is fine but I think that there goals might become a little confusing by merging departments the way they are.   

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 27th February (49)

The Outline’s Josh Topolsky: There’s too much sameness in digital media

https://digiday.com/publishers/outlines-josh-topolsky-theres-much-sameness-digital-media/

Summary

While watching the Super Bowl, The Outline Founder and CEO Josh Topolsky saw a trailer for "stranger things". Once he saw the trailer he predicted what was going to happen next, he said multiple sites would rush up with posts as an excuse to embed the trailer and cadge some pageviews. Topolsky said "everything about digital media is insanely boring" "Everything looks the same, everything sounds the same". Topolsky set up his own tech news brand "The Verge" after leaving Bloomberg media last year. He promised to take a different path than, the scale players who were too busy embedding the 'stranger things' trailer into all their posts. The Outline was born from Topolsky finding that there was a lot of sameness in digital media. Topolsky said “I felt like there’s a hole in digital media,” “That hole looks like the stories aren’t very good, the presentation isn’t very modern, the advertising sucks, and the voice and sensibility of the world you should be occupying isn’t there.” 

Key Quotes

• New digital brands get on the scene and say "I've got to get 20 million visitors, 50 million whatever". 

• Topolsky raised $5 million to build The Outline on the idea that an advertising model could be found to support high quality content.

• There are 3 billion people on the internet.

My Opinion

I think that Topolsky makes a very valid point about there being to much sameness in digital media. Something comes out and then a million differently people try to put their own spin on it and create something different but they without realising haven't really changed it. So, as a result we end up with multiple different copies of the same thing out there in the digital world. For example, on YouTube one person will create funny videos of music artists or bands with their fails 'things that have gone wrong in performances' and then somebody else will take that same video and put a different backing track and re arrange the clips and post it believing it is different but it isn't. I believe that people need to find there own ways of getting content out to their audeinces they need to be original. 

Feminist Theory: Factsheet Research

Media Factsheet #156: Gender for A2 - Focus on Judith Butler
This Factsheet offers much more depth on Judith Butler and her work in Gender Trouble (1990) - the argument that gender is a process or performance and not biologically set. It explores how Butler fits into wider media theoretical perspectives (e.g. Structuralism and Post-Structuralism) and also criticisms of her approach. One key criticism is the difficulty in applying Butler's ideas to feminist campaigns in the real world - relevant to our recent work on the possibility of a fourth wave of feminism.

Media Factsheet #125: Gender: Beyond Butler
This Factsheet explores a wider interpretation of the representation of women in media and society. It offers a historical perspective, looking particularly at the 1970s and British television. It also builds on Factsheet #89 and Jean Kilbourne's work on advertising and the representation of women. Finally, the Factsheet addresses masculinity and the changing representations of men in the media over the last 30 years.

Focus on Judith Butler

• Often Butler is seen as the only theoretical perspective to consider when discussing issues of gender and sexuality

• Butler's preferred mode of discussion or discourse is to ask questions, often pilling question upon question in her work. 

• Butler does not always provide the answers to her questions but this allows Butler to see 'the subject' of the discussion as a developing process. 

• To assume an end point to Butler's discussion would stop development of the subject.

Gender Trouble

• Butlers most well known work where she looks at gender and identity

• Butlers ideas focus on the construction of gender identity

• She critiques feminist theorists for not challenging the terms 'women' or 'woman'. 

• Judith Butler says those theorists who haven't challenged the terms have accepted 'women' or 'woman' as the subject

• However, Butler's view is that the subject is less definate and more of a subject in process which is constructed by acts it performs. 

Gender Trouble - The ideas that cause trouble

• Calls catogary of 'the subject' into question arguing it is a performative construct. 

• Butler states that there are ways of ‘doing’ (constructing,exploring, developing, being) identity which challenge the existing binary oppositions of male/ female etc.

• Gender is seen as a sequence of acts but there is nobody who creates those acts. 

Beyond Butler

• Representations in the media often reflect issues of contemporary society 

• Representations reflect a world that is divided along lines of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, age, disability and location.

• However, the privilages, exculsions or disadvantages of each catogary are unequally spread

• When we consider gender representations we are considering the relationship between two factors:

--- Media saturation of representations

--- Inequality of privilages afforded to particular gender groups

• Feminist appoarches to representations have sought to think how representations are linked to patterns of inequality for women. 

Representations of Gender in the Media: Women

• Second wave feminists movement was concerned for equality of women like their predecessors but they were also concerned for how the gender of women was represented in newly emerging media forms. 

• There was an assumption of the 'male norm' where the representation of women was frequently invisable and the representation of men was representative of the whole human population

• Often representations of women were frequently limited to patronising and demeaning stereotypes. 

Identities: Applying Feminism

Find and read Media Factsheet #86 Applying Feminism. 

1) What are the five types of feminism outlined on the first page of the Factsheet?

• Radical Feminism - Sees the cause of women's oppression as men. The main aim of this type of feminism is to address the concerns over violence against women, particularly in sexual relationships 

• Liberal Feminism - Mainly concerned with gender socialization in order to show that gender roles are not biologically determined. The main aim here is to change the ways children are socialized into stereotypical gender roles.  

• Marxist Feminism -  The aim of this feminism is to look at the role of domestic labour within capitalism; most obviously that women work in the home for 'free' and the role women play in producing the next generation of the labour force. 

• Black Feminism - Primary concern is with black and Asian women's experiences of oppression and exploitation. Combines ideas about capitalism, patriarchy and anti - racism. 

• Postmodern Feminism -  This type of feminism is associated with third wave feminists. Acknowledges diversity amongst women and encourages individuals to find feminist ideas that combine their own experiences.  

2) Which category would Judith Butler fit into? What about Angela McRobbie? Laura Bates and Everyday Sexism? Explain your answers.

• Judith Butlers theory is all about 'gender not being biologically fixed'. Based on that I would say it links to 'Liberal Feminism' which also looks at gender roles not being biologically determined. Both Judith Butler and the liberal feminism viewpoint believe that gender roles reinforces the idea of differences between the 'male' and 'female' genders.   

• Angela McRobbie's theory looks at 'the way gender roles are represented within different types of media and how we look at each gender differently, she says that each gender has specific traits that the media portrays to us'. Therefore, I would say it fits in with 'Marxist Feminism' as both McRobbie's theory and this type of feminism look at the class system and the differences between 'male' and 'female' importance. 

• Laura Bates set up the Everyday Sexism Project 'in which women can submit their own experiences of sexism on a forum anonymously or they can put their name if they wish to.' Given this, I would say it links to 'Postmodern Feminism', as they both look at encouraging individuals to talk about their experiences to create a brand of feminism suitable for them.    

3) What was the difference between suffragists and suffragettes? Which approach do you agree with?

• Suffragists - These women formed the NUWSS (National Union Of Women's Suffrage) in 1897  to unite several existing women's groups, who wanted to vote for women. They wanted to expand rights for all women and went about achieving their goals through moderate,peaceful and lawful means. 

• Suffragettes - These women felt that the NUWSS wasn't making progress quick enough so they formed a breakaway group called the Women's Social & Political Union. However, this union were not afraid to use violence and confrontational means to reach their goals.  

I agree with the 'suffragists' approach to expanding women's rights through moderate, peaceful and lawful means. Going about expanding women's rights in this way is more likely to be heard by the powers that be. As a pose to violent means which I think would only cast more negative stereotypes over women and further show that they have no power to turn opinions and be heard.   

4) What was Laura Mulvey's argument regarding Hollywood film? Do you agree with it? Why?

• Mulvey's argument regarding Hollywood film is that the cinematography of classic Hollywood films objectifies women. The camera 'looks' at women as if they were a male and the women is a desirable sex object. She coined this the 'Male Gaze'. She also suggested that women are either viewed in a 'Voyeuristic' way which sees them as 'whores' or in a 'fetishistic' way making them 'Madonna's' or 'Virgins'.    

Yes, I agree with Mulvey's argument. From the film's I can refer to women are presented as desirable sex objects which please's the male eye which can present them as 'whores' as Mulvey states in her argument. The camera can linger on the curves of the female body and they are quite often scantily clad in regards to their costume which only reinforces such a view of females, even if it wasn't intended which I have read is what a lot of film directors might argue. 

5) Watch this YouTube video extract on Jean Kilbourne's Killing Us Softly series and list five examples she gives of the media objectifying women:

1. Sports Staduims 
2. School's
3. Billboards 
4. Buses/Cars
5. Airplanes

6) What is Kilbourne's argument regarding the representation of women in advertising?

Kilbourne's argument is that 'advertising is selling more than products'. Kilbourne says adverts sell values, images, concept of love & sexuality and success.Kilbourne claims that the advertising industry makes women's appearance seem like the most important thing about her. Women feel they have to strive to look a certain way and when they can't get there they feel like they are letting themselves and others down because they couldn't achieve what they were told is 'normal'. 

An example - Before and after picture: Advertising selling more than just products they are selling this image that is looks to us like it is normal. 

7) What is Naomi Wolf's argument in The Beauty Myth?

The concept of 'beauty' is completely socially constructed and patriarchal. Naomi argues that men in a given society create rules of what is considered to make a women beautiful. However, she says that this isn't the same for every culture, it is different rules wherever you turn. Despite, all being women Western women and Mauritania, West Africa women have different 'rules'. Western women are said to be beautiful if they have blonde hair, a slim figure, and flawless skin. Whereas the West Africa women are labeled to be beautiful if they are obese and have stretch marks.    

8) Why is the representation of women in music videos a controversial topic for feminists?

As there have been many disagreements over whether women are portrayed as victims of patriarchal oppression or empowered female role models. Some theorists such as Sut Jhally believe representations of women in music video's have an impact on behaviors of people in real life. It is believed that songs only serve to
distract young girls from real issues of female oppression.

9) What is your view of female artists such as Nicki Minaj or Beyonce - do they empower women or reinforce sexist, patriarchal views?

I think that female  artists such as Beyonce and Nicki Minaj empower women because from the videos I can talk about they always take charge in their videos. They show they are not the second best and have as much power and importance as men do. Beyonce in particular tells emotional and heartfelt stories through her songs which shows that she is trying to promote change. 

10) Has new and digital media given women an opportunity to challenge sexist views or is it simply another media platform for women to be oppressed? Explain your view.

New and digital media has given women an opportunity to challenge sexist views as women can unite together to fight sexist views about women by sharing their own experiences of sexism and their views towards the issue rather than just quitely airing their grievances to a family member or similar or worse still keeping it to themselves. People can share their experiences etc through multiple different means such as forums like the 'Everyday Sexism Project' set up by Laura Bates. However, new and digital media is just another platform for women to oppressed on because even when people do share their experiences nothing stops people responding with lines such as 'what harm does it do?' or similar. New and digital media is also another platform for women to be oppressed on because there is a greater amount of platforms for it to happen on which makes it harder for it to be controlled.   

Identities: Feminism and new/digital media: MEDIA MAGAZINE: THE FOURTH WAVE?

1) Summarize the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

What is networked feminism?

Networked feminism is another name for 'fourth wave feminism'. The idea of networked feminism is to fight social equality issues found on and using modern technology. According to Chloe Gray, User-generated content websites have flourished with the words of the feminists; she goes on to say that blogs, submission sites, and YouTube are all being used to there full potential to set up, grow and oppose campaigns. Twitter is said to be a big player in representing modern feminism: people are now able to instantly engage with one another. 

Why is it a problem?

Networked feminism is a problem because as the technological world develops the whole issue of feminism can be left behind. Technology is changing everyday, becoming faster and more efficient but in the media the term 'feminists' is still associated with the older means of getting recognized with the suffragettes who tied themselves to railings etc, so the article says that the term is due for a re - think if it is still to get the same recognition as it did before, update the term to show the change, is what I understand the article to be saying.  

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’? 

• First wave: early 20th century, suffragette movement (right to vote).

• Second wave: 1960s – 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay.

• Third wave: 1990s – present, empowerment, reclaiming of femininity (high heels, sexuality etc. See Angela McRobbie's work on women's magazines).

• Fourth wave? 2010 – ongoing, use of new technology and digital media (e.g. Twitter) for activism.

Personally, I feel that we are in a fourth wave of feminism, because the developments of new and digital media are being used more and more to spread the message about feminism and build support. The developments of technology have allowed things to be brought into perspective more. It can better be seen the differences between feminism before technology influences and the developments that have been made as well as identifying the problems that still exist. 

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

Everyday Sexism: Highly visible and well recognized digital campaign set up by Laura Bates. The article talks of how the campaign is arguably a well recognized digital campaign due to its user generated content and its clever use of the campaign Twitter hashtag ‘#EverydaySexism’. The article talks of how the strategic use of social media has made the campaign a lot more personal for each of the people involved and it is a lot more instant, it is constantly updated to show people the developments of the campaign.    

HeForShe:  A campaign led by Emma Watson. The campaign centres on male support for gender equality emphasizing the fact that feminism is not about promoting a system of society or government ruled by women (Matriarchy) but instead it is about promoting solidarity. The campaign is well known in the digital world, you can pledge to help the women’s issue online and it has received a huge response. One way that the campaign was recognized in the digital world, was by Watson utilizing the Twitter platform for a Q&A session during the campaign promotion. 

FCKH8 Campaign:  Is one of the most popular digital campaigns and more specifically, the ‘Potty Mouth Princess’ video that went viral on the internet. This campaign focuses on the present representation of girls and the enormous social inequalities faced. The video features young girls ‘F- Bombing’ to emphasize society’s differences when it comes to offences. The girls in the video make it clear that they are important and can look after themselves: they shout confidently lines like “ I’m not some pretty f***king helpless princess in distress.    

This Girl Can: The campaign is described as the first fitness campaign for women, that doesn’t shame or exclude them by sharing photos, videos and quotes of women without the usual sexual exploitation of women that we would see in typical fitness adverts. However, this campaign despite its positive intentions has been heavily criticized, by feminism activists. For example, there was the online petition ‘Stop Taxing Periods’. The campaign called for tampons to stop being taxed as luxury items when they are more essential than crocodile steak.  

4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?

In my opinion, I think that we are not completely in the fourth wave of feminism that is spoken of, as with a lot of other issues the digital world has developed them and propelled them into discussions more than they were so before, however I do not think that this constitutes saying that we are in a completely new wave of feminism. Yes, social media is used to further campaigns but not all campaigns use it at the end of the day.  

Identities: Feminism and new/digital media

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

Laura Bates started the everyday sexism project as she felt that the only way to solve a problem was to acknowledge that it existed in the first place. 

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

The Everyday Sexism project links to the concept of post-feminism as the campaign was set up by an individual who believes in, promotes and embodies the various ideologies about feminism.  I think that all societies still need feminism, it is not just the western societies as the question suggests. We all think that we are well versed in the topic of feminism and know what we need to know to define, establish, and achieve political, economic, personal, and social rights for women. But the fact is we are not; we have knowledge of the topic yes, but we do not use it to achieve equality for women so I feel projects like the one that Laura Bates set up help because the encourage feminism and encourage us to speak up about it. 

3) How can you apply Judith Butler's theory of gender as a 'performance' to the creation of the Everyday Sexism project?

Judith Butler's theory can be linked with the idea that male and female behavior is socially constructed. The behavior of assault is socially inserted in young men. They do not just behave the way they do because they are men they learn it from surrounding societies and are led to believe that there is nothing wrong with the way that they are acting. 

4) How does Angela McRobbie's work on female empowerment link to the Everyday Sexism project?

Empowerment means to give authority or power to someone or something, but this can be shown in a negative light in regards to the everyday sexism project. The media is heavily but not completely responsible for the obsession over bums and breasts that we see. I mean I have lost count of how much coverage such gets in the media, whether that be the outright subject of the article or whether that be referred to within the article... everybody remembers page 3 don't they?! The obsession over breasts and bums has become so big that seeing them in the media has become something that people thoroughly enjoy looking at to the point that people take what they see and translate it into real life and see that is normal for them to be demanding such demeaning things from total strangers. e.g. Laura Bates example in her talk -- Somebody asked for directions from a lady out on a jog, she helped and then he reached out the window and grabbed her breasts really hard.   

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 20th February (48)

Twitter accounts really are echo chambers, study finds

Political birds of a feather flock together, with Twitter users tending to communicate with those whose views match their own, says Demos research. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/04/twitter-accounts-really-are-echo-chambers-study-finds

Summary

Politics and the internet seem to work in harmony together according to research confirming the exsistance of online echo chambers among Twitter's politically engaged users. Research has found that we are far more likely to interact with those  of the same party, politically speaking. Report author Alex Krasodomski - Jones said that although the accounts analysed were not representative of the broader Twitter population the proportion analysed provided a sample of Twitters political classes. Jones, said the behavior demonstrated was exacerbating, some media outlets used polarized views to attract audiences. The rising popularity of this alternative form of news caters to specific people. It's more than just news - its ideologically driven. 

Key Statistics

• A study of 2,000 Twitter users who publicly identified as either Labour, Tory, Ukip or SNP supporters has found they are far more likely to interact with others from the same party. 
• Research looked at tweets sent between these 2,000 people between May and August last year
• More than 3/4 of re-tweets from SNP supporters and 73% of those from Ukip supporters were of someone from their own party
• The highest proportion of one party re-tweeting supporters from another - 32% - was between Tories and Ukip supporters. 

My Opinion

This article makes a very valid point about how people were more likely to interact with those from the same party as them, but this is not the case only in the political world. Without realizing we regular users who despite not being engaged in anything specific on social media are doing it too. We specifically choose who to interact with and who not to.People say that social media platforms are a chance for us all to share our views and opinions and this is true but rather than sharing them with everyone and anybody we without noticing are sharing them specifically with like minded people through the way in which we tailor what we are posting. 

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 20th February (47)

You don't have to act like a newspaper on the net 

A preview of the Washington Post’s new news site, The Lily. Photograph: Washington Post

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/29/dont-have-to-act-like-newspaper-on-net-new-york-times-lily-axios

Summary

The New York Times is like the BBC for print journalism. It is dominant, revered, imperious and sometimes soaked in irritating self-congratulation. Aside from this, though The New York Times is extremely observant with the problems faced of moving print to digital screen. However, if The Times can succeed so can everyone else and if they do not succeed then the rest of us can cry with them because we won't have either as everyone will be following a similar strategy. This makes The New York Times latest health check in from an officially appointed team of journalists seem extremely important. Newspapers are digitalizing themselves and getting high subscriber numbers but this success is not enough anymore. Transitions never seem to go well as they are either too fast or too slow for everyone. But all we need to do is get used to the fact that there is no more printed material which we would get fresh every morning. Instead, there is the same material but just on a screen instead. Only, the difference is the screen changes every minute whereas the printed stuff once written and sent to the printers it is set in stone it cannot be changed.  

Key Statistics

• 1.5m digital-only subscriptions 
• Digital subscriptions up from 1m a year ago and zero six years ago
• 1m print subscriptions 
• Digital media is a 24 hours buffet
• Times current features strategy dates to the creations of new sections in the 1970's  

My Opinion

Overall, I agree with this article that we need to reduce the dominant role that newspapers play in our organizations in order to get used to the net properly. However, I understand why we have been unable to do this and it is because the transition between printed newspapers and digital news has happened so quickly that we have barely had the chance to blink and get used it. So, we are all trying to hang on to the tiny shreds of what we know that are left. Newspaper companies need to remember one thing though just because they have high subscriber numbers does not mean much. 

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 13th February (46)

Facebook, Apple and Google pen letter opposing Trump's travel ban

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/02/silicon-valley-letter-opposing-trump-travel-ban

Summary

'Silicon Valley' (Leading source of news and commentary about technology) heavyweights (Alphabet {Google}, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Uber and Stripe) co-authored a draft letter formally opposing Donald Trump executive order on immigration. They say that 'blanket suspension is not the right approach'. This executive order has caused chaos all over; in the airport for one and it has also left tech workers fearing that their visas will be revoked. Multiple tech companies have spoken out about the order and Amazon has even pledged legal support to action against Trump.

Key Statistics

• Donald Trump executive order released on 27th January 
• Trump order banned people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. 

My Opinion

I am not surprised that tech companies such as Google and Microsoft have spoken up about this executive order because they are all based in the USA and the order could be very troublesome for them. Large companies like these could stand to lose workers if visas are revoked as per the executive order that was first released. Upon all the upheaval opposing the order Trump has made multiple changes to it clarifying its terms etc. However, constantly making changes does not convince regular citizens of the USA and companies to place their trust in Trump as President.   

NDM: Weekly News Article - W/C 13th February (45)

Why Amazon Alexa Will Take Over Your Phone and Your Office Next

http://fortune.com/2017/02/04/amazon-alexa-phone-office/

Summary

Huawei boasted that its latest device the 'Mate 9' will be the first smartphone to come with Amazon's 'Alexa' software pre installed. This shows that Amazon are making their 'Alexa' software a force to be reckoned with. They are determined to embed their software into most if not all smartphones prior to purchasing. Amazon's Alexa software, already has a strong presence in the living room and on mobile devices so as per the title of this story the 'office' is next. However, Amazon realize they are trying to get their software into what is already a crowded market and seem to realize that they have a lot of work to do despite how much of a hit the device software has already been.   

Key Statistics

• In US, more than 8.2 million people have Echo according to market research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. 
• Echo became broadly available less than 2 years ago.

My Opinion

I am not surprised that Amazon Echo software is taking over, it is the new thing on the market and everybody feels they need to have it. Just like every time a new Iphone comes out everyone wants it and the other phone companies typically suffer from a fall in sales because nobody is interested in their products. Most companies, would just dive straight in with lots of marketing when their newest product takes the market by storm but from what I understand in this article Amazon realize that marketing is not the only thing they need to do to keep sales on the up for this software they also need to make sure that customers get what it promises to do. If customers do not get that then Amazon know they would need to reassess and fix the issue if they want to have it embedded into phones prior to purchase and actually have people using it.