International Women's Day

Females from all over the world have been coming together and celebrating International Women’s Day for 102 years.

2013’s International Women’s Day ceremony for Townsville was held at Jupiters Casino early in the morning. Many invited women from different work companies and high schools gathered for breakfast to celebrate being female and also raising awareness for 2013’s chosen theme, ending violence against women.

As a “to be” journalist , I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be invited to this event because of the famous, award winning, foreign correspondent, ABC journalist Sally Sara was giving a speech. Other female presenters were; the first female Townsville mayor, Jenny Hill and year 12 Pimlico student Rebecca Stennett. Also there were three videos shown of Quinton Bryce, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott sharing their wishes towards the female population.  The presentation did not go for long but being in the atmosphere of many sophisticated, successful women, made me feel proud to be female.  

Commercial & Public media

During the week two lecture we were given information about the differences between commercial media and public media.

 Commercial media contains profit driven products while not being government funded. They survive or fail on the success of their business which is unlikely of failing due to the major companies that revolve around commercial media. Companies such as TEN, WIN, Fairfax media, APN, Telstra, Optus, Austar, Ticketek and many more. These companies produce different styles of media also; like newspapers, cable tv, film, books, sports, magazines, radio and free to air. Commercial media create content and programs to attract consumers to gain money/profits and views. The commercial media’s style is corrupt, lacks quality and the profits over-ride social responsibility. This results in having to dumb down the media, tabloidization and a desire to please its customers.

While, public media is government and tax payer funded. It is their mission to serve or engage in the public and not turn anything into profits. Also they are in support of the public and democratic processes. Certain organizations such as BBC, PBS, TVNS, CBC, NPR and NHK are a part of public media. The public media’s style is serious, broadsheet, has importance over interest and is considered not quick and unchecked. People find public media to be boring, poorly presented and has a limited interest.

This is what information I have gathered from the differences between commercial and public media. 

Should Violent Video games be banned?

 

 

Over the past decade, children have been exposed to violent video games, it has damaged their minds therefore these games should be banned. Young children aged 15 and under should not be allowed to engage or purchase violent video games. At such a critical age in life, teens and younger children are more emotionally and mentally effected. So if these children play violent games they are more likely to begin changing their personalities and attitudes. Not only do violent games affect children mentally but also physically. Video games can be quite addictive, resulting in young kids staying inside and playing games all day. This affects their health because they are not receiving any exercise or any socialization skills with other children. It is clearly shown that violent video games should be banned due to the fact that it is ruining young children’s well-being. Although, on the other hand, a child’s parent should be in control and make the decision if they want their children to play violent video games.

It is a parent’s right to expose or hide whatever they want for their child and violent video games are something that should not be hidden. Children are constantly in reach of watching explicit movies and television shows, so why would video games be any different? Video games stimulate a child’s mind, and games with a little bit of violence explains to children that this is a part of reality. Studies have shown that violent video games don’t affect a child’s well-being, it mainly releases their frustration in a non-harmful way. In today’s society, children cannot be wrapped up in cotton wool and always be protected. They need to be prepared for when they become adults and videos games with some violence involved can prepare them. Overall violent video games should not be banned because children with parental consent should not miss out on something that entertains them, also it has no harmful effect on them. 

 

The journalist and society lecture- Reading 1-Questions & Answers

The journalist and society lecture- Reading 1- Questions

 

Q1. Does the public see a difference between journalist and political commentators/ on air radio hosts like John Laws and Alan Jones? Should programs and publications, which deal seriously with news and current affairs issues be required to adhere to journalists standards of ethics and practice?

A.      In a way a journalist and radio host are the same. They both produce information to society, to inform them about certain issues. Although they do have a difference, such as a radio host is needs to entertain their audience with an interesting, clear, concise voice. Radio host also just receive news information and distribute it, while a journalist gathers the information to either present themselves or hand it over to their editor or news reporter.

Q2. What do you think a journalist is? What expectations and presumptions do you bring to news-gathering?

A.      A journalist is someone who holds a great deal of persistence, courage, enthusiasm and integrity to their work. A journalist searches and gathers information about nearly anything that’s news-worthy in the world.

Q3. Is there a central core of activities or issues that you believe defines ‘true’ journalism?

A.      Mainly news-worthy issues and activities but journalists have so many different branches of opportunities as a career. There are news reporters, interviewers, magazine writers, field reporters, radio hosts and so much more.

From Zero to Hundreds

Young boys dream comes true due to online video going viral

In East LA, inside an Auto parts store, 9 year old Caine Monroy created a cardboard arcade to fulfil his boredom over the summer holidays. Caine’s father, George, owner of the Auto parts store, thought that his son’s idea was great because it kept Caine entertained while he ran his business. It was rare for Caine to have any customers, even though he offered terrific deals. $1 for 4 turns and $2 for a Fun Pass which included 500 turns.

When summer holidays came to an end and Caine returned to school, none of his peers believed that he created an arcade. He was still persistent in his arcade and every weekend Caine kept trying, hoping one day he would get at least one customer.

It wasn’t until, film maker Nirvan Mullick came into the shop, surprised seeing an arcade entirely made out of cardboard and decided to give it ago with a fun pass. Nirvan was Caine’s first customer until Nirvan created a Facebook event inviting hundreds of people to come play at Caine’s arcade. Soon enough the event became viral and thousands of people from all over the world wanted to be a part of Caine’s dream.

Sunday October 22^nd 2012, Caine and George visited one of his favourite places, an arcade. While they were gone, Nirvan had organised hundreds of people to wait outside Caine’s arcade to surprise him. As he returned, Caine’s face lit up with excitement to see so many people at his father’s shop to play his arcade.

Caine is now an internet sensation because of Nirvan, his business has increased and also stars in a sequel of Nirvan’s films, “Caine’s arcade 2.”

           

http://cainesarcade.com/