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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.
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. Leave a Reply. |
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