Questioning the media ch. 15

Q1:  What are your main concerns or criticisms about the state of media studies at your college or University?

A:  At Lenoir-Rhyne University, there do not seem to be a whole lot of media studies in effect.  However, every once in a while there will be a survey being taken on campus that usually supplies incentive to take it.  What these organizations are trying to find out is what is effective in marketing.  They want to know how to better reach out to students in order to sell more of their product.  They may say it is to improve it or make life better, but ultimately these companies are looking after their own self interest.

Q3:  Can you think of an issue that a media industry and academic researchers could study together?  Explain.

A:  When thinking about what media  industries and academic researchers could study together, many issues come to mind.  Research could be conducted to find out purchasers buying habits, as well as what particular devices attract buyers.  With properly conducted trials, a vast amount of information could be attained by researchers.  This information could then be reported to media companies and utilized in their marketing.  Both of these profesions could go hand in hand to benefit the market.

Q4:  In looking at media courses in a college curriculum, what do you think is the relationship between theory and practice?  Do hands on, practical skills courses such as news reporting, advertising copywriting, or TV production belong in a liberal arts college or in a separate mass communications college?  Explain your answer.

A:  I believe that you must practice a theory in order to prove its effectiveness.  If all you do is simply talk about something, one cannot truly grasp the feel for it.  I think it is important to do hands-on activities in classes at the college level in order to give someone experience in their career field.  Communications courses not only benefit communications majors, but also people going into any field where they must relate with other people.  It is for this reason why I feel these types of courses not only belong in mass communications colleges, but also in liberal arts schools.

Questioning the media ch. 11

Q2:  Why are so many people critical of advertising?

A:  Advertising in today's society has had many affects on the way people look at themselves.  It has a tendency to control peoples actions and motives when looking for particular products.  It also exposes the vulnerabilities that lie inside people.  Children are among the most influenced by advertisements.  People tend to be so critical of advertising because it has such a controling affect.  Many people feel that something unavoidable shouldn't have such an influence on society.  It gives people ideas of how people should look, what they should eat, and what their motives in life should be.  Many people feel that these values at stake should not be compromised by for the sake of others greed.

Q4:  Should advertising aimed at children be regulated?  Why or why not?

A:  I think that advertising aimed at children should be regulated.  At a young age, people are unable to distinguish fact from reality.  Children perceive everything they see or are told as real and have trouble using good judgment.  If an advertisement on television is appealing to a child, they will do whatever they can to get their parents to get whatever is being marketed.  Without regulation, children may be convinced to partake in questionable activities, or have superficial thoughts engrained into their heads.  As long as products marketed towards children are in their best interest there should be no problem.  However, when things such as alcohol, tobacco, or sex are involved in anything that may be deemed as appealing to children, it is not right.  Children should only be exposed to harmless and monitored media.

Q6:  Would you be in favor of regular advertising on public television and radio as a means of financial support for these media?  Explain your answer.

A:  I do feel that advertising in public media is necessary.  In order for media to receive adequate funding, they must sell their empty space.  Television and radio rely heavily on this kind of income.  Money from advertising goes towards quality production of programs, which draws viewers, and in turn causes companies to compete for space.  This benefits everyone.  The audiences get what they tune in for, the producers profit, and the advertisers draw customers.  This circle of production, self perpetuates itself.  Personally, I feel that this proves to be very healthy for the economy.  It gets people spending money, and satisfied with entertainment at the same time.