Thomas Conner
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recent events, media, and race

3/6/2015

2 Comments

 
Two good explainers provide basic background on the situation in Ferguson, Mo., and the case of Eric Garner in New York.

Here are the New York Times videos reporting from Ferguson after Michael Brown's shooting. As you watch, experience the videos as objects of communication — pay attention to the information being reported, of course, but also what information is highlighted, what is left out, what frames are being selected (both literal, in terms of camera positioning, and theoretical, in terms of Gitlin and Schudson), that music being used, etc.
Participation! Consider: No reporter is seen or speaks in the above video. Does that mean it is unbiased? What factors does Schudson outline that contribute to bias, and where might they be present here?
Participation! Toward the beginning, the man with the sign reading "Propaganda: It Won’t Be Televised — Pay Attention" — he looks at the reporter filming him and adds, "I know you seen it, tell the truth, tell the truth!" What truth, and why does he believe it is not getting out by other means? Relate his expression about propaganda to the readings that addressed earlier propaganda fears.
Participation!
— Pay attention to the discussion here about the original choice of Michael Brown photo used and picked up by the news media. What frames are at work there, and how? How does this relate to Schudson's explanation of selection?
— Think about the reporter's final comments. What photos of you or other information about you is out there on social media that could be similarly misconstrued?

Of course, I have to wrap things up with some pop music ...
Consider these two songs. The first is related to the protest sign above and deals with a similar message. The second relates a story remarkably similar to that which caused the death of Eric Garner. In other words, these issues are not exactly new in America.
1. "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott-Heron, 1970

2. "Graffiti Limbo" by Michelle Shocked, 1988
(unavailable for embedding, click link)
2 Comments
Andre Pan (wed 10 am discussion)
3/14/2015 09:03:43 am

I'm not an expert, and I can only give my conclusion based off of personal observations, both live and through the media/news outlet. I do believe that there is weight behind the argument of discrimination towards the non-Caucasian community from the police, Ferguson and Eric Garner being two notable recent examples.

Yet the reason I'm not not sure of how much to believe is precisely because of videos like the first one which is so obviously filmed with an intent to portray the police in a bad light. That clip with the finger flexing behind his back? Really? My first immediate reaction was how itching for violence this officer must be(most likely a result of the background/environment/feel the video has given off since the beginning), which is quite obviously the intent for including that clip. Yet when I think about it, how is that even a likely explanation? I for one make similar actions throughout the day. I'm feeling cold, I'm feeling tired, I feel like I need to stretch, or maybe I've Been Standing In Front Of A Protest For The Past How Many Hours With My Hands Behind My Back And I'm Feeling Uncomfortable And Need A Stretch??

It irritates me how tinted media lenses could be. These types of things are what loses credibility with me. This is why, irresponsible though it may be, I do not argue strongly for what I believe regarding events I have not witnessed personally. I'm hoping the fact that I do feel there is weight to the police discrimination argument is not covered by the rest of my argument against media and propgranda, and I don't get flamed too hard by some internet social justice warrior. (pardon the lack of formatting)

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Thu Le
3/16/2015 06:07:55 am

No reporter is seen or speak in the video does not make it unbiased because it can be filmed in a bias way, this is called media framing. Schudson tells us that bias is minimal in media but there is media framing, which work to slant the content towards a particular perspective. Through this process, the news media end up showing the hegemonic ideology.

When the media does not show the whole truth because it is considered not good for the public to see or know, it reminds me of hip-hop/rap music. There are mainstream hip-hop and underground hip-hop. Mainstream hip-hop gets played often on the radio and tv and the songs are about rappers degrading women and how they're getting a lot of money. I think mainstream hip-hop gives a bad reputation to the black culture and music because they talk about dumb things. However, underground hip-hop artists speak out against the government and those in power. I like to listen to underground hip-hop because it tells a story and the struggle that the rap artist went through. Those artists also talk about oppression and how bad the government is.

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  • thomasconner
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