Exam Flashcards
Define ethnocentrism
the belief that ones country, area or culture is naturally superior to others
Define media
plural of medium, form of communication
What are the different types of media
Mainstream media and alternative media sources
Define mainstream/mass media
consumed by large about of people
Who owns mainstream media/mass media
generally owned by large corporations and have a wide public consumption
What does mainstream media include
mass communication organizations like newspapers and radio
What views are usually presented by mainstream media
the general populations views
Give examples of mainstream media
CBC, FOX, CNN, Toronto Star
What percent of the media is considered mainstream
95%
What is alternative media sources
Organizations that are generally smaller, not affiliated with large corporations, and offer alternative views to those found in mainstream sources
What point of view do alternative media give
They may provide points of view that advocate for a specific social perspective or political learning
Give examples of alternative media sources
Democracy Now!, New Internationalist, Mother Jones, The Briarpatch
Is the media powerful, and if so, why?
Absolutely– it shapes the economic, political, social, cultural and environmental makeup of the world
Are facts objective or subjective
objective
Are opinions objective or subjective
subjective
When are facts and opinions used together
Being able to use facts to develop an informed opinion is good
Define opinion
a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty
Define subjective
based on feelings or opinions rather than facts
define objective
dealing with facts without allowing personal feelings to confuse them
Define facts
something that actually exists; reality; truth
Define citizen journalism
the collection, dissemination, and analysis of news and information by the general public, especially by means of the Internet.
Define digital divide
the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not
What is sensationalism
(especially in journalism) the use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest of excitement. “media sensationalism”.
Why is sensationalism a concern
The change in how info is presented and what info is selected to be covered can actually trigger events and turn events in to crises
Analysis is often conducted, conclusion drawn and opinions fried without accurate info which shapes public opinion
Increased fear or panic can ensue in the public
What is the root cause for sensationalism
The battle for attention; they want to be the first to break the news and in doing this, they can get info wrong and cause even more problems
What are some sensationalism techniques
False novelty (making something look like news when it has been knows for a long time), False urgency (creating a sense that things are happening quickly to add to the story), exaggerated risk, leaving out details, emotional language and imagery, naming news (giving criminals a nickname)
What is the danger in only a few organizations owning all the media
fewer and fewer people are determining what we watch, hear and read —compromising our access to accurate and unbiased info
Many people say that we cannot live in a vibrant democracy unless people get divergent sources of info so, this trend in media ownership compromises the democratic nature of society
In the US, about how many organizations own and control the media
In the US 5 or 6 media conglomerates control almost all forms of mainstream media (90% of what we consume)
What is the opposing argument to only a few organizations owning all the media
media conglomerates only have control over mainstream media, that there are a wide variety of alternative media sources that exist today that offer plenty of divergent views and perspectives
What is the media conglomerates’ focus’
Media conglomerates’ focus is to make profit NOT to educate the public by providing intelligent, balanced commentary on issues
Media owners claim that they what
Media owners say they are giving people what they want
What is commercial pollution
the presence of excessive advertising media and messages that shape and promote a rampant consumerism by creating an image of necessity
What does the term McWorld refer to?
The term McWorld refers to the spread of Western culture all across the world (more specifically, McDonalds)
Why is consumerism harmful
Consumerism is harmful because buying more than we need increases pressure on Earth’s resources and the size of our ecological footprint, and it contributes to environmental degradation.
What is consumerism
Consumerism is a largely 20th-century movement that seeks assurances that what is sold to the public is of good quality
Who is Noam Chomsky
American linguist, political activist, philosopher cognitive scientist, author and MIT professor of linguistics
What book did Chomsky write that gained much popularity
Manufacturing Consent– The Political Economy of the Mass Media in 1988
What is Manufacturing Consent
Basically the argument that the medias primary function is to mobilize public support for the special interests that dominate the government and private sector
According to Chomsky, who controls most of America’s decisions
The major decisions in America are in the hands of a relatively concentrated network of major corporations and conglomerates and investment firms
Who’s consent is being discussed in Manufacturing Consent
2 targets;
Political Class (20% of population)
The remaining 80%
What model does Chomsky outline in Manufacturing Consent that explains that the propaganda is filtered down to the public
The National Media sets a general agenda that others more or less adhere to
The Elite Media are sort of the agenda setting media (EG. New York Times), they set the general framework
The local media just follow suit
According to Chomsky, Manufacturing the public’s concert is accomplished by setting the national news agenda using various techniques such as?
Emphasizing and framing issues
Filtering info
etc
Define greenwashing.
Greenwashing is a term used to describe the practices of companies or groups attempting to promote a positive environmental or social image to undermine and minimize the damage done to their brand or reputation by public criticism (when they advertise that it is good for the environment, but it is not)
What is slacktivism
actions performed via the Internet in support of a political or social cause but regarded as requiring little time or personal involvement,
Give examples of slacktivism
signing an online petition or joining a campaign group on a social media website, tweeting
What is the difference between digital activism and slacktivism
They are the same thing, just two different perspectives; slacktivism people support a cause with the animal effort plausible
Digital activism is people that take activism on line and spread awareness via the internet and raise awareness to people who can make a change
Who is James Natchway
A war photographer
Who is James Foley
Journalist who went to Syria to document what was happening, got captured, head was cut off as a statement by ISIS
What happened in Lybia
The Arab Spring, James Foley was captured and held hostage for weeks, eventually released
Who is Julia Bacha
Director and producer of the documentary “Budrus”
Why is the documentary “Budrus” so important
It shows the peaceful protests and how it is having a positive impact
the Palestinian village of Budrus mounted a 10-month-long nonviolent protest to stop a barrier being built across their olive groves. Did you hear about it? Didn’t think so. Brazilian filmmaker Julia Bacha asks why we only pay attention to violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict — and not to the nonviolent leaders who may one day bring peace.
Why does Bacha think it so important to show people the documentary
Because the media is so sensationalized, only showing violent images, and leaving out the positive impact of the peaceful movements… showing people the success of peaceful movements inspires even more people to also take part in peaceful movements and not violent ones
What is sustainable development
Economic development that is conducted without depletion of natural resources… basically development that allows for out children to live in a world still
What is Globalization
The trend of greater interconnectedness of the world (financial, economic, technological, politics, cultural, sociological, ecological and geographical systems)
What is Economic Globalization
Corporations have become transnational by having operations throughout the world. Very controversial. Supporters say it brings efficiency and global wealth. Others say it increases economic disparity and creates transnational corporations that have more power than governments which leads to exploitation.
What is Political Globalization
Allows for countries to come together to create a common good for all involved (e.g. NAFTA, UN, G20, EU, etc.)
What is Cultural Globalization
refers to the gradual harmonization of the world’s cultures at the expense of distinctly different local cultures. Very controversial
What is financial globalization
interconnectedness of the world’s financial systems. Based not on individual nations but world cities and their financial markets
What is ecological globalization
involves the idea that we need to treat the world as a single ecosystem, that we all need to protect
What is sociological globalization
we are all members of a global society and that we share certain global attitudes and standards of behaviours (e.g. morality of capital punishment, the role of women in society, etc.)
What is geographical globalization
the idea that the world has become borderless and is dominated by political, economic, cultural relationships that exist among the networks of world cities and the regions surrounding them.
What is technological globalization
the connection of the global village through communication and technology
What are the 8 types of globalization
Cultural, geographical, technological, sociological, economic, ecological, financial, political
What is sustainability
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations
What is One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)
a perfect example of how technological globalization can increase the digital divide
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) is a non-profit organization whose goal is to transform education by providing every child with access to a connected laptop computer and an ecosystem of educational support.
OLPC believes that laptops can leverage children’s innate curiosity and desire to learn, to develop critical thinking skills and to foster a lifelong love of learning.
Their mission is to create educational opportunities for all by providing children with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning.
What are the good parts of globalization
Encourages the spread of democracy and spread of political freedom.
Most people see speedy travel, mass communications and quick dissemination of information through the internet as benefits of globalization
Encourages common attitudes and ideas of universal values (e.g. universal human rights, women’s rights, etc.) – although these could also be bad (e.g. mass consumption)
It allows us to study the world in a more holistic manner, which may lead to new ways of dealing with issues.
There is the possibility that this interdependence could lead to a more connected “global community” who could come together to work to end the issues that plague the world.
What are the bad parts of globalization
Reinforces economic disparities (the gap between the rich and poor). The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Increases the digital divide (those that have access to communication technology and those that don’t)
A financial crisis in one country ripples through the economies of the world, leading to economic crises everywhere.
Globalization leads to an increase in sweatshop and child labour and a decrease in salary and wage protection.
It increases exploitation of the poor.
It increases exploitation of migrant labourers.
Globalization of disease (an increased spread of pandemics around the world)
The rights of the majority of the world’s people and those working to protect the planet have been undermined for the benefit of profit, new consumer goods, and market based economies.
Presents as a cultural threat with the Americanization of global culture and the corresponding loss of diversity.
Encourages adoption of concepts like mass consumption, consumerism and environmental destruction.
Economic globalization and the rise of consumption and consumerism as a result of cultural globalization have lead to an increasing amount of environmental destruction:
Increasing pollution
Increasing deforestation
Increase use of natural resources in an unsustainable way (e.g. water, fossil fuels, etc.)
Increase in climate change and global warming
With the rise of the power and wealth of multinational and transnational corporations (economic globalization), countries risk losing their sovereignty, as transnational corporations often have more wealth and power than some governments. Therefore, countries often lose their ability to make decisions that are best for their citizens and instead do what is best for the corporation.
This leads to an increase in political corruption
What is the problem with Shell
Shell (gas company) kills for the oil, and is destructive of the environment
Oil spills are massive and destroys the water resources and crops
extraction— gases are exposed to the environment, the gases are creating massive amount of greenhouse gases
people consume toxins and are medically harmed
in 1990’s people started uprising against shell, after a peaceful protest— shell went to the government and they killed the Ogoni Nine
greenwashing campaigns
they do gas flaring and that is harming the environment
Where does Shell do this bad stuff
In Nigeria
What are multinational corporations
an organization that owns or controls production of goods or services in one or more countries other than their home country. It can also be referred as an international corporation, a “transnational corporation”, or a stateless corporation
What is consumption
the using of a resource (and humans are ding it excessively)
How does sustainability relate to the Grand Banks Cod?
the government tried to provide subsidies to the fishing industry to provide economic growth and jobs for the people, yet encouraged over fishing
Too many people “predators” to catch food “prey”, and the prey run out, then the people start to suffer and die, then prey became more and people were able to eat then eat too much, its a feedback loop
even though there are a guidelines on how much fish to fish, it doest take into account any other organism or anything of the food change
