AGENCY AND CONTROL EXAM Flashcards
The changing relationship between the media and audiences
-Traditional media: one-way with no audience input, Passive audiences, less agency.
-Web 2.0: audiences more active less passive, emerging participatory culture as prosumers creating produsage.
-Audiences have more options letting them be active and compare, higher agency.
-Henry Jenkins spreadability: Homestuck by David Hussie or Mother 3 translation
The extent of the influence of the media on audiences
Effects on body image of young women. Journal “body image” by Jade Gurtula, 211 young women were shown Instagram videos of models or ‘average’ looking people. Conclusion: those who are exposed to the ‘ideal’ models expressed feelings of body dissatisfaction and negative mood. Cultivation theory by George gerbner as the media manipulates the women to believe they are not attractive.
Influence of Audiences of media
Barbenheimer
Directly contrasting films “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” released on 20th July 2023, audiences created a meme that gained immense popularity due to its cultural relevance, Internet trend increased volumes of audience members to see the films. $511 million combined.
Chris Nolan: “i think its great for the industry and for audiences that we have two amazing films by amazing filmmakers coming out the same day”
#BLM
in 2020/21, who supporters rallied for themes of police brutality to be addressed, led to the production theme of Brooklyn 99, rewriting 4 episodes of season 8 to include more themes of police brutality. Clearly affecting the media, controlling tv show’s content. Ultimately the media still retains control as they have power over what is the final is. Spreadability by henry jenkins as audience determined the BLM trend was of value to spread.
How media is used by Governments
Chinese Government
Control citizens and exert power through media, “Superapps” which are apps that have digital currency, communication, news and smartphone functions. Apps provide information to the gov, tracking citizens. Noam Chomsky Propaganda model: mass media is controlled by orgs to serve their own interests, blatantly the case with Chinese gov, as they restrict and oppose views such as banning ‘Tiananmen Square’ from searches, and forces their values through the media. Serves gov interests as there is less uprest about their rule, as citizens believe those who go against the gov are of ‘low moral quality’ due to the impact of the media systems.
How media used by Institutions
Exerts influence and further their agenda, uses his newly acquired platform ‘X’ to force his views on its users whilst simultaneously advocating for free speech. Wakely Church stabbing, where it was posted on social media with Anthony Albanese asking CEOs to take it down. Musk refused, quoting ‘Free speech’, which indicates the recklessness in how he uses his platform. The hypocrisy of his free speech advocasy is shown through Musk banning the use of the word ‘cisgender’, posts being removed. Banned @ElonJet, which tracked the usage of his private jet, expressing the autocratic way he uses his influence to exert his agenda and beliefs. Propaganda theory: controls media to serve own interests. Filter bubbles trump.
How media is used by institutions
Meta Cambridge Analytica
2010s British consulting firm collected data on up to 87 million Facebook users.
If neccessary use Twitter just talk about twitter moderation
The regulation of media and audiences
Protecting Children: To protect from sex, language and violence ratings (G, PG, M, MA15+, R18+, X). M is only allowed after 7:30, MA is only allowed after 9:30. 2021 “Online privacy Code” all users above 16 ensures children aren’t exposed to adult content.
Maintaining a cultural identity: Broadcasters are legally required by the ACMA to have 55% Australian content on between 6AM and midnight everyday on primary channels, and as per the “Australian content standard” 1460 hours of content that is Australian produced on non-primary channels. Protects economy as in 2021/22 $5 million income was generated by Australian produced film content, and also maintains national and cultural identity as our countries’ values and views are being represented on TV.
Bodies that control media regulation
-Australian communication and media authority: controls what is distributed and monitors self regulation
-Australian classification Scheme: Assigns and classifies media
Issues and Challenges relating to regulation and control of the media
Regulating the large amount of content on social media Government relies on large sites to self-regulate, which is challenging due to the sites not always regulating properly- ACMA cannot feasibly regulate it all. According to “social media Perth”, 500 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute. Half of Twitter’s top 100 advertisers left due to violent content and misinformation in 2023, showing the requirement of self-regultion. Use Wakely Church stabbing if no Musk question 2019 Christchurch
Ethical and legal issues: TikTok
Tiktok data harvesting
-Izir University of Commerce research paper “Analysing TikTok’s data collection practices”, concluded that TikTok is one of the internet’s largest data harvesters, under Google.
-One of the only social media platforms that collects audio and image data on top of all personal data, collects data of users who have not downloaded the app and have only used it in their web browser. —Largely unknown to the average user, ethical issue. “Bytedance” is a Chinese tech company, meaning data is likely being monitored by the Chinese gov. India has banned TikTok and is banned from gov devices in Aus and US. “tracking pixel” software- surveillance capitalism. Propaganda model: “TikTok execs manipulate what goes viral and is seen”
Ethical and legal issues: AI on X
AI on X
-393% increase in AI generated content from February 2023 to March 2023. Deepfakes during elections, Elon Musk sharing convincing Kamala Harris deepfake which stated, “diversity hire” and doesn’t know “the first thing about running a country”.
-Consumed by vulnerable passive audiences that the AI content will greatly effect due to the promotion of disinformation.
-January 2024: AI Tyler Swift porn posted on X and spread. One tweet had 45 million views.
-Legal issue: needs stronger legislation to stop this. 96% of deepfake videos are pornographic. Accessible to anyone: “Undress AI” tools. Victims: psych distress, PTSD, Anxiety, guilt. Deepfakes: principal of Pikesville High School
Ethical Issues: Sextortion
Sextortion
-Produced in Nigeria, which makes it difficult to enforce. Preys on young men on social media, (90% of victims of boys between 15-17), due to them being curious, less aware about online risks, more likely to feel shame about being tricked and sending compromising images, and having their desire for romantic and sexual connections with young women exploited. Can cause mental health issues and suicide. Difficult to regulate due to underreporting, different countries.
-In Nigeria, “Yahoo Boys” rely on sextortion and other internet crimes for a living. The Nigerian authorities are convicting and investigating cases, however it is considerably slower due to the cross-border crimes.
