The problem with the modern media is they do not have any moral values and are only profit driven.
I do not agree with the statement. In today’s context, mass media plays a very important role in our lives. Even in times of war, mass media was used as a tool to communicate with the general public and practices propaganda. Nowadays, media more or less serves the same purpose but in addition, it helps connects the world together, hence in other words, make the world smaller. However, there are certain rules and regulations governing the operation of mass media and all kinds of information displayed to the public. Even though the fact that the set of rules and regulations are created because of possibilities of undesirable materials being shown to the public, but it does not mean that the mass media is a place filled with profit driven people who go to any extend to earn as much profit as possible whereby in any case if there are no rules and regulations governing them, they will go berserk and start making up news. However, that’s not the case. With reference to the incident whereby a mediacorp artiste Christopher Lee was charged with drink-driving and sentenced to 4 weeks of jail term. Common sense will tell us that it is his fault for not upholding his image an artiste and no doubt he deserves his sentence. However, the pressed opened up the forum for any forms of discussions which allowed people who feel that Lee committed the mistake in a moment of folly appealed to the public to give Lee another chance. This shows that the media helps provide a platform for discussions and educates the public that we should not always look at things at one perspective, while the media itself remains neutral. Some companies who offer high prices to pay for their commercials are rejected by the media and we can see that media still holds the basic value of what to show to the public and what not to show.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Censorship can never be justified. Do you agree?
I agree with the statement. By definition, censorship is the practice or system of censoring something that is normally considered offensive, morally harmful, or politically harmful.
Throughout history, as we human develop, the degree of censorship has significantly lowered and we are more ‘opened’. Take for example, television shows that are broadcast to the mass public does not censor away kissing scenes even though there is a high possibility of exposure to children.
Across the globe, different countries hold different values about the degree of censorship that should be imposed in their nation. This is mainly determined by the culture of its citizens because ultimately, the policies about censorship affect the way of life of the citizens.
In Singapore, a movie rated R21 is rated PG Taiwan. One good example is a lesbian movie, which has yet to be previewed. This movie is a production of Taiwan, and before it is previewed in Singapore, the movie will be sieved and selected scenes will be cut off, yet the movie is still rated R21. This clearly shows a big difference between censorship of two countries. Taiwan and Singapore belongs to Asia. Both countries are made up of mainly the Chinese and yet the difference can be worlds apart. This again shows that the degree of censorship has no boundaries to speak of even between countries with similar culture.
In conservative societies like Pakistan and Turkey, saying prohibited stuffs like the discussing of sensitive issues about religion can lead to attacks by extremists. The government is sometimes unable to control the after effects of the release any insulting remarks about any community. Hence, the government in such countries has to have a strict control over the mass media on every type of information released to the public.
Hence, these cases show that the degree of censorship actually depends on the people themselves. The culture will affect the censorship. Hence, there is no universal way of justifying censorship.
I agree with the statement. By definition, censorship is the practice or system of censoring something that is normally considered offensive, morally harmful, or politically harmful.
Throughout history, as we human develop, the degree of censorship has significantly lowered and we are more ‘opened’. Take for example, television shows that are broadcast to the mass public does not censor away kissing scenes even though there is a high possibility of exposure to children.
Across the globe, different countries hold different values about the degree of censorship that should be imposed in their nation. This is mainly determined by the culture of its citizens because ultimately, the policies about censorship affect the way of life of the citizens.
In Singapore, a movie rated R21 is rated PG Taiwan. One good example is a lesbian movie, which has yet to be previewed. This movie is a production of Taiwan, and before it is previewed in Singapore, the movie will be sieved and selected scenes will be cut off, yet the movie is still rated R21. This clearly shows a big difference between censorship of two countries. Taiwan and Singapore belongs to Asia. Both countries are made up of mainly the Chinese and yet the difference can be worlds apart. This again shows that the degree of censorship has no boundaries to speak of even between countries with similar culture.
In conservative societies like Pakistan and Turkey, saying prohibited stuffs like the discussing of sensitive issues about religion can lead to attacks by extremists. The government is sometimes unable to control the after effects of the release any insulting remarks about any community. Hence, the government in such countries has to have a strict control over the mass media on every type of information released to the public.
Hence, these cases show that the degree of censorship actually depends on the people themselves. The culture will affect the censorship. Hence, there is no universal way of justifying censorship.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Guns. An invention which benefits mankind or harm us?
The tragedy that happened at Virginia Tech is not simply just a case whereby the general public starts grieving over the victims and grumbling about the level of safety and security in their society.
Its leads us to another issue of the ease of availability of guns to the mass public as long as you have the money. Even though, statistics have shown that the number of homicides using guns have decreased dramatically over recent years, it does not mean that they are considered as isolated cases.
Gun is a deadly weapon and a double edged sword. It can be used to protect the civilians in the hands of a policeman but a totally different object when it comes in the hand of a criminal.
The question to ponder is not the number of dead or how the figures of homicides have decreased, but how in the first place an average teenager of an ordinary American high school get his or her gun and start on a killing spree? Most importantly, why do they have to purchase such weapons of mass destruction in the first place?
By common knowledge, all these guns are obtained from the black market. As long as you have the money, one will be able to purchase a gun. No wonder newspaper reports that it is easier to get a gun then a driving license as driving license is obtained only after one has passed the test under the supervision of a professional after paying a considerable amount of money. These trades between the buyer and seller are carried out in the dark corners of the society which are most of the time unreachable by the authorities. It does not mean that passing more stricter laws on the purchasing or production will control the amount of guns sold to the public. As long as the demand is there, the supply side will always find ways to obtain goods for these consumers.
Let us trace our way back to the demand side for guns. Why in the first place do these people want guns? Some say that keeping a gun by their side gives them defense against anyone who wants to hurt them. I believe this is a job for social psychologist to work on. What exactly is the mind set of these guns purchasers? The only thing I can conclude is that people nowadays are complex, highly intelligent organisms, which will always find fault with each other, and in some extreme cases, exterminate one another.
Its leads us to another issue of the ease of availability of guns to the mass public as long as you have the money. Even though, statistics have shown that the number of homicides using guns have decreased dramatically over recent years, it does not mean that they are considered as isolated cases.
Gun is a deadly weapon and a double edged sword. It can be used to protect the civilians in the hands of a policeman but a totally different object when it comes in the hand of a criminal.
The question to ponder is not the number of dead or how the figures of homicides have decreased, but how in the first place an average teenager of an ordinary American high school get his or her gun and start on a killing spree? Most importantly, why do they have to purchase such weapons of mass destruction in the first place?
By common knowledge, all these guns are obtained from the black market. As long as you have the money, one will be able to purchase a gun. No wonder newspaper reports that it is easier to get a gun then a driving license as driving license is obtained only after one has passed the test under the supervision of a professional after paying a considerable amount of money. These trades between the buyer and seller are carried out in the dark corners of the society which are most of the time unreachable by the authorities. It does not mean that passing more stricter laws on the purchasing or production will control the amount of guns sold to the public. As long as the demand is there, the supply side will always find ways to obtain goods for these consumers.
Let us trace our way back to the demand side for guns. Why in the first place do these people want guns? Some say that keeping a gun by their side gives them defense against anyone who wants to hurt them. I believe this is a job for social psychologist to work on. What exactly is the mind set of these guns purchasers? The only thing I can conclude is that people nowadays are complex, highly intelligent organisms, which will always find fault with each other, and in some extreme cases, exterminate one another.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Nowadays, the mass media do not report the news; they make the news.
I agree with the statement.
Nowadays, media play a huge part in our life. We get connected to the rest of the world through the mass media. Internet, radio and the news channel are some ways we get our information from. It is the spreading of information around the world through media which makes the Earth work. Without effective and efficient transmission of information, countries around the world will not be able to function properly as countries have to rely
on world news to plan projects and policies to safeguard their own interests. Even within one country itself, media has the ability to decide and control the mindset of people. Hence, media have evolved through times and become a powerful tool.
Journalists are the core of media as they are the first hand personnel which comments on any news. What they write will be published to the masses and somehow or rather, influences the mindset of readers. By experience, journalists will be able to find out what kind of news interest the publics the most. This is the time where journalists arrive at a two way path. One, report only the truth to the public no matter the profit and number or readers or second, follow the devils way of ‘profit first’
Recently, there are many reports made the killing spree case by the Korean student in a university in America. These reports contain different viewpoints on the case. There are reports which says that this incident could have been avoided, saying that the murderer actually showed early signs of serious depression and could have been spotted and treated promptly. However, other reports claim that the student was in a calm state of mind before and after the execution of his gun shots, concluding that the incident was inevitable.
It was obvious that different news channels are trying to win as much attention as possible through stirring up of news. It does not matter which the truth, what matters is how the masses react and filter the information through logic reasoning.
Sorry. I do not know how to link.
I agree with the statement.
Nowadays, media play a huge part in our life. We get connected to the rest of the world through the mass media. Internet, radio and the news channel are some ways we get our information from. It is the spreading of information around the world through media which makes the Earth work. Without effective and efficient transmission of information, countries around the world will not be able to function properly as countries have to rely
on world news to plan projects and policies to safeguard their own interests. Even within one country itself, media has the ability to decide and control the mindset of people. Hence, media have evolved through times and become a powerful tool.
Journalists are the core of media as they are the first hand personnel which comments on any news. What they write will be published to the masses and somehow or rather, influences the mindset of readers. By experience, journalists will be able to find out what kind of news interest the publics the most. This is the time where journalists arrive at a two way path. One, report only the truth to the public no matter the profit and number or readers or second, follow the devils way of ‘profit first’
Recently, there are many reports made the killing spree case by the Korean student in a university in America. These reports contain different viewpoints on the case. There are reports which says that this incident could have been avoided, saying that the murderer actually showed early signs of serious depression and could have been spotted and treated promptly. However, other reports claim that the student was in a calm state of mind before and after the execution of his gun shots, concluding that the incident was inevitable.
It was obvious that different news channels are trying to win as much attention as possible through stirring up of news. It does not matter which the truth, what matters is how the masses react and filter the information through logic reasoning.
Sorry. I do not know how to link.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Is Youtube created solely for entertainment?
Youtube is a website where people around the globe can upload, view and share videos. Since 15th February 2005, Youtube has experience a boom in popularity and growth in its first few months and was one of the fastest growing World Wide Web by 2006.
Ever since Youtube was created, controversies were raised, together with compliments which praised Youtube for being user friendly and allowing unregistered users to watch video clips uploaded on the website at leisure.
Youtube policies do not allow content to be uploaded by anyone not permitted by United States copyright law. Even though large number of videos which violates the copyright law was still being uploaded to Youtube, the website has made an effort to filter as much videos which violate the copyright law as possible. Moreover in October 12, 2006, Youtube responded to the public by introducing a anti-piracy software which keeps check of the video clips uploaded.
However, the other side of Youtube that remains out of reaches of authorities is the uploading of self made videos which criticizes government bodies. These are the videos which caused many controversies in the public through moral criticisms and disrespectful comments. Iran has banned Youtube because of fear of unwanted corrupting music and video clips to their citizens. Subsequently, Thailand banned Youtube because the website showed cased a video on Thailand’s former prime minister but did not give specific reasons why the ban was set on Youtube. From various reports, it clearly shows that what may seem insulting or harsh to one human community may not be felt the same way in another. Hence, it is difficult to justify whether Youtube operates upon moral principles. However, by following the copyright law and introducing anti-piracy software, Youtube has indeed tried its best to appease controversies from around the world and being a leading website, it sets a good example to the public.
Therefore, I conclude that Youtube is not created for the sole purpose of entertainment.
Ever since Youtube was created, controversies were raised, together with compliments which praised Youtube for being user friendly and allowing unregistered users to watch video clips uploaded on the website at leisure.
Youtube policies do not allow content to be uploaded by anyone not permitted by United States copyright law. Even though large number of videos which violates the copyright law was still being uploaded to Youtube, the website has made an effort to filter as much videos which violate the copyright law as possible. Moreover in October 12, 2006, Youtube responded to the public by introducing a anti-piracy software which keeps check of the video clips uploaded.
However, the other side of Youtube that remains out of reaches of authorities is the uploading of self made videos which criticizes government bodies. These are the videos which caused many controversies in the public through moral criticisms and disrespectful comments. Iran has banned Youtube because of fear of unwanted corrupting music and video clips to their citizens. Subsequently, Thailand banned Youtube because the website showed cased a video on Thailand’s former prime minister but did not give specific reasons why the ban was set on Youtube. From various reports, it clearly shows that what may seem insulting or harsh to one human community may not be felt the same way in another. Hence, it is difficult to justify whether Youtube operates upon moral principles. However, by following the copyright law and introducing anti-piracy software, Youtube has indeed tried its best to appease controversies from around the world and being a leading website, it sets a good example to the public.
Therefore, I conclude that Youtube is not created for the sole purpose of entertainment.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
I want to be a teenager forever!
If I have the chance to go through my teenage years all over again, I will.
Teenage is a stage in life where we are just like a block of sponge, absorbing all the knowledge around us. Our brains start to develop, together with our character and our personality, which is more or less shaped depending on the milestones we encounter and friends we meet.
This is the period of time where boys and girls will start to mature into adults. Most teenagers would start to spent more time in front of the mirror, tidying their hair, attire and practicing their most attractive smiles.
Here comes the interesting part about teenage life.
Boys would start to gather in crowds and discuss about the girls around them. Soon, many guys will find themselves tossing and turning in bed while trying to shake of the image of some girl they met earlier in the day. Uttering nonsense in front of a beautiful girl will not be surprising for many guys.
As for girls, some would start to chat over the phone whole night long over trivial matters.
Many adults may think that we teenagers are just a group of immature people who are doing stupid things. However, I feel that these actions are the ones which spice up our wonderful teenage life. Unknowingly, boys and girls and develop a strong bond with one another. This is what we call friendship.
Friends that have been through thick and thin with us will be the ones who will accompany us down the road for a long, long time. Smiles and tears we share together will be etched deeply in our hearts and serve as a reminder that we are never alone.
Teenage life is the only time when we really have control of our own lives. All we have to do is just to follow our school’s timetable and do some self directing learning on our own. The rest of the time is reserved for us to enjoy together with our friends. We neither have to bother any electricity nor water bills. All we had to do is to live every day to the fullest.
I love the times when me and friends sit around a stone table and chat througout the whole night. However, it will be very hard for us to meet as we grow up. All of us will have our different directions in life. What remains will only be the happy memories from our teenage life.
therefore, i feel that teeange years are the best years of one's life.
=)
Teenage is a stage in life where we are just like a block of sponge, absorbing all the knowledge around us. Our brains start to develop, together with our character and our personality, which is more or less shaped depending on the milestones we encounter and friends we meet.
This is the period of time where boys and girls will start to mature into adults. Most teenagers would start to spent more time in front of the mirror, tidying their hair, attire and practicing their most attractive smiles.
Here comes the interesting part about teenage life.
Boys would start to gather in crowds and discuss about the girls around them. Soon, many guys will find themselves tossing and turning in bed while trying to shake of the image of some girl they met earlier in the day. Uttering nonsense in front of a beautiful girl will not be surprising for many guys.
As for girls, some would start to chat over the phone whole night long over trivial matters.
Many adults may think that we teenagers are just a group of immature people who are doing stupid things. However, I feel that these actions are the ones which spice up our wonderful teenage life. Unknowingly, boys and girls and develop a strong bond with one another. This is what we call friendship.
Friends that have been through thick and thin with us will be the ones who will accompany us down the road for a long, long time. Smiles and tears we share together will be etched deeply in our hearts and serve as a reminder that we are never alone.
Teenage life is the only time when we really have control of our own lives. All we have to do is just to follow our school’s timetable and do some self directing learning on our own. The rest of the time is reserved for us to enjoy together with our friends. We neither have to bother any electricity nor water bills. All we had to do is to live every day to the fullest.
I love the times when me and friends sit around a stone table and chat througout the whole night. However, it will be very hard for us to meet as we grow up. All of us will have our different directions in life. What remains will only be the happy memories from our teenage life.
therefore, i feel that teeange years are the best years of one's life.
=)
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
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