Nothing But The Truth: Would you have revealed the source? Why?

While I would hope that I would not have revealed the source as well, I'm honestly not sure if could with all of the legal and family pressures. For journalists, your livelihood relies on your ability to maintain a good reputation by following an ethical journalist code. For example, when a source tells you something in confidence, then you must assure them that their identity will remain secret. Otherwise, it would damage your career due to the fact no one will trust you again.

 However, in Rachael Armstrong's case, the way she obtained her information to begin with was slightly unethical. Since her initial source was a child and the information would dramatically effect the little girl's family, Rachael Armstrong should have done everything to ensure that it would not be necessary to trace it back to her. She should have been honest with her editors and even the girl's mother to avoid the events that occurred. 

The Changes in Mass Comm: What does the future of mass communication hold?

In our current society, mass communication impacts every area of our lives. Moreover, it's function includes entertaining, informing, and connecting us. Throughout the years, mediums of mass communication continue to evolve and change. From the time I was born in 1984 to the present, so many developments have been made in technology that has revolutionized communication. I can remember when only a handful of people actually owned computers, like the Commodore 64. In addition, they were not the powerful and limitless machines of today, but instead large, bulky boxes that could only perform a handful of useful functions. Now, they connect us to the world and affect daily personal and work lives on a daily basis. Similarly, cellphones are morphing into mini portable computers. As a result, in the next several years, I think the mass communication industry will focus on cellphone development in order to become the dominant medium. It will probably replace many of current electronics. Furthermore, it will function as our television, phone, internet, and computer all rolled into one tiny package. 

The Auteur Theory: Which communication theory is the most intriguing to you and why?

In the book, Essentials of Mass Communication Theory, I found the Auteur Theory to be the most interesting. The theory refers to a film director's body of work and their recognizable style in their movies. According to the text, “directors impose their personalities, their aesthetic sensibilities, their values and beliefs, on every aspect of their films” (Berger 160). In other words, a director's particular style can be seen in all of their films' themes and visual aspects. While films are meant to be entertaining, the director is also trying to communicate their message.

I chose this communication theory due to the fact that I love movies and actually had the dream to be a film director at one time. My hero and absolute favorite film director is David Lynch.He has created such memorable films as Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, and Wild at Heart. Additionally, he also created the cult television show, Twin Peaks. In regards to the theory, his films all convey his recognizable artistic vision. According to the imdb.com, some of his trademarks include, “examining the dark side of American suburbia, low/middle frequency noise, dark and rotting environments, distorted characters, a polarized world, and constant references to dreams as a way of connecting the plot and twists, and surrealism” (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000186/bio). 

Free Speech: Why is The New York Times v. Sullivan such a precedent setting case for the American media?

In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that in the mass media, “public officials in a libel case must prove actual malice” (Biagi 306). This ruling was determined in the case of The New York Times v. Sullivan in which The Committee to Defend Martin Luther King Jr.'s New York Times Advertisement. Although he was not mentioned by name, L.B. Sullivan, the commissioner in Montgomery that was involved in the case, felt that the ad was directed towards him. As a result, he sued the newspaper for libel. In the first case, Sullivan won. However, the Times appealed to the Supreme Court which found that some of the information in the ad was misleading, that it was not a , “deliberately lie”, which would prove actual malice (307).

This case protects all areas of American mass media from being sued by everyone that they write a negative story about just as long as it is the truth. For example, it protects whistleblowers, like Woodward and Bernstein, and allows for the media to report on controversial stories without fear of prosecution. Additionally, thanks to this ruling, magazines, like Star, and television shows, like TMZ, are free to discuss the details of the crazy lives of celebrities, just as long as there is some basis to the story.  

Learning from the Past: Explain how the quiz show scandals affected CBS and how you purpose to get out of this mess.

If I was in was in the president of CBS,Robert Kintner's shoes during the quiz show scandal, I would have followed the public relations motto that we discussed in class: mess up, fess up, and dress up. I perhaps would have has a press conference. Since honesty is the best policy, I would not only tell the truth, but also ask forgiveness from the audience. Like in Charles Van Doren's testimony, I would state that this incident was a lesson in mass communication ethics and trust. Additionally, in order to make amends, I would donate money to an educational charity that contributes to scholarships. Finally, I would assure the public that this would never happen again.

However, I can understand why he felt it was necessary to distance himself and deny knowledge of the scandal. The observation made by the Gertitol executive, played by Martin Scorsese, still holds true today when he said that the public has a short term memory, but corporations remember. Although, if I was unethical and corrupt, I would have denied all knowledge of the question rigging and found some fall guys too. 

Mad Men: What is the role of the creative artist in mass media?

While the term, artist, can be given quite a broad definition, it is usually given to someone that uses their creative talents in professional or private life. A creative artist in mass media produces an product that will be viewed by a large artist. As a result, the artist, especially if it is for a certain employer or job, must be creative and innovative, but maintain the company's vision. Therefore, creative artists that work professionally in mass media are given limitations and do not have artistic freedom. Therefore, it is up to the professional creative artist to adhere to the company's image.

For example, I love AMC's show, Mad Men, which takes centers around an advertising agency in the 1960s. The agency's goal is to land accounts for large companies and then design their advertising campaigns. The main character, Don Draper, is one of the top advertising executives due to his ability to come up with brilliant campaigns that attract the attention of audience while sticking to the company's overall vision. On quite a few of the episodes, Don gets frustrated due to the fact that the campaign that he created will work, but the company is not impressed and decides to go in a different direction with disastrous results. 

All The President's Men Vs Shattered Glass: Why do journalists embrace the belief that confidential sources should be protected? Do you agree?

On occasion, journalists have the task of exposing story that may be scandalous, controversial, or even dangerous. While it is important to reveal sources whenever available in order to add credibility to the story, it is not always possible or safe. Therefore, many sources for such cases will only talk to journalist as long as their identity is not revealed to either ensure safety or privacy.

 For example, in the film, All The President's Men, Woodward and Bernstein spoke to several sources, like Deep Throat and Sloan's bookkeeper, that would have risked their jobs or even their lives if their true identities were known. However, the information that they gave The Washington Post reporters were essential to reveal the Watergate scandal. They needed to be assured that their names would be kept secret before they told what they knew about the President, the most powerful man in the country. Without a doubt, I think that journalists should keep certain sources confidential. 

On the other hand, those reporters should not abuse the trust of their readers or publication by lying about sources, like Stephen Glass as portrayed in Shattered Glass. Importantly, journalist should understand that they have an ethical responsibility. 

Reality Vs Perception: What is the difference between perception and reality and what is the impact on mass communication?

Although perception and reality can be considered similar states, there are several key distinctions. Reality can be described as, “something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive”(www.dictionary.com). In other words, reality is the way things actually are without any room for interpretation.

On the other hand, perception is , “the process by which an organism detects and interprets information from the external world by means of the sensory receptors” (www.dictionary). Essentially this means that perception is determined by each individual's background and level of comprehension.

Reality and perception both are crucial elements in mass communication. Even though the mass communication product is a set group of images, the products are subject to each individual's perception. People of different ages, ethnicities, and social groups all interpret messages differently. For example, some kids may believe everything they see on television is real, but adults know that is not necessarily the case. They understand that it is special effects, make-up, or anything other kind of technique. Therefore, mass media is geared towards specific audiences.

Works Cited

"Perception." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perception?s=t>.

"Reality." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/reality?s=t>. 

Rosie and Uncle Sam: Explain how the office of War Information contributed to positive public relations for WWII.

The War Information influenced the American public's opinion in order to create positive public relations for World War II. In fact, the Government understood the importance of persuading the American people that they hired public relation professionals to create campaigns using all forms of mass communication that was available at the time. 

Such mediums as posters, newsreels, and photographs helped contribute to the image that the American government wanted to instill in the public to help win the war. Some of the more famous campaigns created the iconic images of Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam Wants You. 

According to the National World War II museum's website, the purpose of these campaigns included, “recruitment, financing the war effort, unifying the public behind the war effort and eliminating dissent of all kinds, resource conservation, and factory production of war materials. The most common themes found in the posters were the consequences of careless talk, conservation, civil defense, war bonds, victory gardens,“women power”, and anti-German and Japanese scenarios” (http://www.nationalww2museum.org/). These images played on sympathy, fear, and patriotism to influence the public.

Works Cited

"The Propaganda Posters of WWII." The National World War II Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Sept. 2012. <http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/at-a-glance/propaganda-posters-of-ww2.pdf>.

"Of Course There is a War, I'm Watching it on Television": What does the film teach us about techniques of propaganda as a public relations tool?

The film Wag the Dog is a comical, yet frighteningly accurate, portrayal of the use of propaganda in the political system. In the film, Robert De Niro is a public relations expert for the White House that enlists a Hollywood producer, portrayed brilliantly by Dustin Hoffman, to help the current president win the election following an immigration and sex scandal. The film shows how easy it is to manipulate the American public with mass media. Both De Niro and Hoffman's characters understands the way to use fear, patriotism, and sympathy to sway the audience. In order to appeal to the public, they use a combination of underhanded public relations campaigns on television and radio.

First, they create a fake war scene with an Albanian girl with a white, not calico, cat. They made such to tweak the image of the girl to make it has sympathetic as possible as well as to outrage the public. Next, they used images of a fake war hero to divert the audiences's attention away from the scandal and instill positive feeling about the president. De Niro and Hoffman used a team of PR experts to come up with an effective propaganda campaign that included sympathetic images, played on patriotism, and even had a theme song as well as a slogan. In the end, the unethical propaganda worked because the American public is gullible and believes anything as long as it is in a neat package.

Texting, Social media, and the Evolving Use of the Cellphone: In your opinion what were the three most important developments in communication history?

Over the years, many different forms of mass communication has allowed people to connect to one another. While it is difficult to determine which developments are the most historically significant, I think that the texting, social media, the evolving use of the cellphone has played an important role in communication during my lifetime.

Even though I prefer to actually talk on the telephone instead of type, texting has changed the way we communicate with our family and friends. I can't tell you just how many people I try to call and get no answer, however, as soon as I text them, they respond. It is almost like texting is replacing actual conversations over the telephone. In fact, texting has become the primary way many people talk to each other, especially the younger generations.

In addition to texting, social media is a critical development in communication. Similar to texting, social media is also replacing face-to-face interactions. Facebook has almost given people the ability to connect to anyone at the click of screen. Along with keeping in touch with family and friends, social media has changed the way employers and applicants find each other.

Cellphones and their evolving use has probably been the most significant development in communication in my lifetime. It has allowed us to be in contact at all times, makes texting possible, social media accessible anywhere. Cellphones have come a long way since their invention. When I was in high school, only a handful of kids had cellphones. Nowadays, it is rare to find a kid that doesn't have one glued to their hand. 

Entertainment and Play, Surveillance, and Cultural Continuity: Review three functions of mass communication as discussed in the text. Do you agree?

While many people have different views the purpose of mass communication, the text describes five theories. According to Essentials of Mass Communication Theory, three functions of mass communication includes entertainment and play, surveillance, and cultural continuity.

The first function of mass communication is entertainment and play which refers to the assumption that while the media can be informative, it is more importantly an amusing way to pass the time. For example, William Stephenson, author of The Play Theory of Mass Communication, argues that, “at it is best mass communication allows people to become absorbed in subjective play” (Berger 122). I think that it depends on the medium and content of the mass communication to determine its function. For example, newspapers keep people update to date on important issues, but certain stories or sections, like the lifestyle section, are geared to be more fun.

The second function discusses how mass communication serves as a form of surveillance in which individuals use mass communication to stay informed about what is going in their culture. In other words, this theory states that people use the media to stay current on events. I think that this is extremely true. No one what to be uninformed about what going on in their community and the world.

The third function function reviews how mass communication serves as cultural continuity which dictates the content and direction of popular culture. Moreover, it reviews that influence that the media has on our society. I think that mass communication has played a huge part in shaping what people think, they way they dress, and what they do. 

Marketing in America: How has the culture of marketing come to shape the way Americans's understand the world and themselves?

Our American society is bombarded by advertisements in every form of mass media. From the time we wake up in the morning until we go to bed, marketers are reaching out to us with with ads and campaigns. In fact, ads have not only permeated every form of communication, but they also transformed culture and influenced many of our everyday decisions.

Media has become a centerpiece of our society and without it America's cultural identity would not be the same. Unfortunately, when other cultures think of America, they probably associate us with companies like McDonald's and Wal-Mart.

While it is marketing purpose to the attention of public and influence their buying decisions, it has also changed culture itself. The fashion industry is a prime example of the power of marketing has over people. By setting trends and using marketing campaigns on television, magazines, the internet, and films, they have influenced style and the way we dress. 

Advertising Pros and Cons: What are the three main arguments given by advertising's critics and by its supporters?

In the textbook, chapter ten of Media/Impact discusses advertising in mass media. Throughout the chapter, experts on the subject commented on the industry and its affect on society. One of those experts, Louis Kaufman, author of Essentials of Advertising, found that critics of advertising claim the following: "advertising adds to the cost of products, advertising causes people to buy products they do not need, and advertising reduces competition and thereby fosters monopolies" (Biagi 220).

The first argument is that the overhead cost of advertising in in the different mediums, critics feel that it adds to the cost of products. This makes it unnecessary more expensive for the consumer. On the other hand, advertisers claim by that ads actually create competition which can drive the prices down. I think that business have to get their name out to the public and ads help bring the customers in the door. Therefore, when the business starts to make more money, they are able to pass deals on to their customers and still make a profit.

The second argument is that advertising causes people to buy products they do not need. The most obvious example is the way advertisers market toys to children. However, advertisers say that these ads are nothing more than getting people to try new products. I feel that certain advertisers do try to manipulate people into buying a product, but it is ultimately up to the individual to decide what they need and can afford.

The third argument is that advertising reduces competition and thereby fosters monopolies. Critics claim that only companies that can afford to advertise how an unfair advantage. Moreover, they claim that this limits the amount of competition. The counterpoint of this argument is that ad campaigns are just part of introducing the product to the public. I think that ads are essential to promoting a product. If a company has more money to spend on a campaign, it does not guarantee that it will strike a chord with the audience.