Chapter 3 & 4 Flashcards
Identity, Culture, the Media, and Communication Technology (38 cards)
Definition of Digital Divide
The gap that exists between people who have up-to-date technology and those who do not
What are the three possible reasons there is a lack of internet access?
- Lack of infrastructure in rural areas
- Afforability/cost
- Cultural/language barrier
Definition of Cultural Homogenization
Just like homogenization, except it’s affecting cultures
* The media is an example of a force that could promote cultural homogenization, as it reaches to millions of people around the world
Definition of Media Conglomerates
Large companies or corporations that own other companies that are involved in various media enterprises (TV, radio, publishing, movies, internet, etc.)
What does Media Conglomerates result in?
What do large companies that own other media companies result in?
- Americanization
- Their commentators, their point of views
- Biased coverage
- Homogenization
Are we still living in an era of media concentration and homogenization?
There is no “one” right answer
There are media conglomerates, yes. That can homogenize our view. But, there is a trend towards independent media (podcast, channels, etc.)
Definition of Echo Chambers
An environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced and alternative ideas are not considered.
Definition of Filter Bubbles
A state of intellectual isolation resulting from search engines dictating the information you receive based on previous search history, behaviour, and location.
Echo chambers are more in person; filter bubbles are more online
Definition of Confirmation Bias
The unintentional process of acknowledging information that is consistent with existing beliefs
Definition of Algorithms
Complex computer formulas used in social media that sorts posts in a user’s feed based on relevancy instead of publish time. Social networks prioritize which ocntent a user sees based on a variety of factors
Definition of Propaganda
Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view
What is the difference between propaganda and fake news?
Propaganda: one-way communication, controlled by the organization promoting it
Fake News: open, multidirectional, not so easily controlled
Definition of High Tech Hermit
These are people that live a solitary life, only engaging through media (social media).
* Some people believe that social media suports social isolation rather than promote connections, hence this term
Media and World Events
JFK
November 22, 1963:
* American president John F. Kennedy was assassinated
* First examples of the type of TV coverage that the West expects when occassions like this occur
This allowed people to watch events occur in real time, like natural disasters, news, etc.
Media and World Events
Tiananmen Square 1989
- People in China rioting for no more communism
- Tanks started rolling in
- Tank man stood in front of one of the tanks and even talked to one of the soldiers; identity of man is still unknown
- Left a mark on pro-democracy people; sense of pride for then
- Those who were rebelling died; didn’t want people to encourage democracy
Media and World Events
9/11
September 11, 2001:
* Four passenger airlines were hijacked in the US - two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one into a field in Pennsylvania
* 3000+ died
* Turkey and Israel gov’t flag was lowered to half-mast
* Bangladesh: candlelight vigil
* Moscow: children left flowers outside US embassy
* Gander, NWFL: took in planes that were meant to land in America
* Firefights and police officers from Canadian cities went to NY to help with recover efforts
Media and World Events
9/11 - Negative Effects
- Some countries (like Iraq) believed that the Americans deserved the attacks against them
- People who were Middle Eastern, had that heritage, or looked like one, were often discriminated/harassed
- Mosques were firebombed
- Muslims were mistakenly arrested for engaging in “terrorist” activities
- People started suspecting Middle Eastern people (especially Muslims) if there was any violence
Media and World Events
9/11 - Positive Effects
Gander, Newfoundland, had an airplane runway that wasn’t being used. So when 9/11 happened, they brought in US passengers that weren’t able to land in America. They took them in and sheltered them, taking care of them
Media and World Events
Live 8
- World’s eight leading industrual countries met up in Edinburgh, Scotland
- They meet up every year to discuss international issues
- Wanted to decrease poverty, so they hosted large concerts. Over 3 billion people attended these concerts (radio, TV, etc.)
- During the concerts, over 24 million people sent text messages to support the goal of making poverty history
Media and Identity: Told and Untold Stories
Indonesia Tsunami 2004
An earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a tsunami to the land near it. Hundreds of thousands people died, and millions were homeless. People around the world raised money and offered supplies to help those who were suffering.
* But a week after, kids in Africa were dying due to diseases like malaria and AIDS. No one seemed to pay attention
* Shows that the media covers a few things, but not a lot
Media and Identity: Told and Untold Stories
James Smith Cree First Nation
There was a psychopath killing fourteen people who were a part of the James Smith Cree First Nation. Not much money was raised for them
Media and Identity: Told and Untold Stories
Humboldt
At the same time as the J.S. Cree killings, there was a bus crash that had killed/injured many people of the Humboldt team, four of them being SACHS/VJM students. There were scholarships in their names, lots of money was raised, and it was talked about for a long time.
* Comparitively, the J.S. Cree didn’t get as much attention as the Humboldt. This could be due to how relatable is it, people had local connections with them, and it was displayed more on the news.
Media and Identity: Told and Untold Stories
Lyle and Marie McCann
They were an elderly St Albert couple who went missing 20 years ago. Their RV was found burnt. Someone was convicted of their murder, but the bodies were never found. The news about them came night after night, and there was a massive search party for them
Media and Identity: Told and Untold Stories
MMIWG
This stands for “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls”. In BC’s Highway of Tears, there were over 80 known MMIWG over the past 50 years. It’s unclear why, but it could be due to poverty, drug use, domestic violence, residential school trauma, etc. Red dresses are hung in their honour.
* The media didn’t cover their case as much as they covered the St Albert couple. It could be because of lack of clues/evidence, lack of advocacy for them, and there is distrust between them
