Monday 11 May 2015

NDM Summary

1-11/09/14- Snapchat’s $10bn valuation: inside the billion-dollar bubble
2-11/09/14- Offensive Gregg's logo debacle: what are the lessons for other retailers 
3-11/09/14- Microsoft in talks to buy Minecraft creator for $2bn
4-13/09/14- 5 reasons why the Apple watch won't take off
5-13/09/14-The rise and rise of emoji social networks
6-18/09/14- Facebook Under fire from drag queens
7-20/09/14-Facebook wants to be better at putting breaking news on your feeds
8-20/09/14- iOS 8 causes bandwidth spikes nationwide despite slow uptake 
9-20/09/14-Privacy technology everyone can use would make us all more secure
10-27/09/14- The Emma Watson nude photos hoax shames our 'news' culture
11-04/10/14-News Corp to buy property website owner Move for $950m
12-04/10/14- Reddit secures $50m in fundraising from investors including Snoop Dogg
13-12/10/14-The stark reality of print media's decline
14-12/10/14-Revenge porn could lead to 14-year sentence, new guidelines clarify
15-19/10/14-Apple unveils iPad Air and iPad mini with Touch ID fingerprint scanner
16-19/10/14-AfterSnapchat and Dropbox, it's time to realise that the modern web is hostile
17-27/10/14-Traditional Journalism: Is it Old News?
18-27/10/14-The battle between old and new media
19-28/10/14-Nikeand Apple working on ‘stylish’ new wearable technology
20-28/10/14-Chinesestate accused of attacking Apple's iCloud
21-08/11/14-Google launches Fit app to takeon Apple’s Heath and Samsung’s S Health
22-08/11/14-Double trouble for Apple, as two software security flaws discovered
23-15/11/14-Man jailed for WhatsApp 'revenge porn' after posting images of woman online
24-15/11/14-LatestABCs show newspaper market decline running at 8% a year
25-21/11/14-Driverless cars could face threat from hackers trying to cause road chaos
26-21/11/14-Buzzfeed recruits Sun Whitehall reporter and Telegraph assistant editor
27-21/11/14-Reportclaims a third of UK jobs at risk from robots
28-21/11/14-Twitter scanning users' other apps to help deliver 'tailored content'
29-21/11/14-Google launches smart spoon shaking hands liftware
30-21/11/14-CanAmazon take on Netflix with ad-supported video?
31-06/12/14-Facebook accused of refusing to listen to ‘voice of public opinion’
32-06/12/14-UK privacy watchdog intervenes in hearing over Google’s use of web data
33-06/12/14-Argos enters the mini-tablet market with a £100 Windows 8.1 machine
34-06/12/14-PlayStationNetwork and Windows Live hack could be a hoax, experts say
35-06/12/14-Gmailblocked in China
36-06/12/14-Surge in illegal sales of drugsas gangs exploit ‘phenomenal market’ online
37-06/12/14-Hacker fakes German minister'sfingerprints using photos of her hands
38-06/12/14-Facebookapologises over 'cruel' Year in Review clips
39-18/01/15-BuzzFeedlaunches its own 'public chat' channel in messaging app Viber
40-18/01/15-Googlesearches for a way to avoid Microsoft’s fate
41-18/01/15-AmazonEU Sarl paid too little tax, EU competition regulator says
42-18/01/15-GoogleGlass can return – but it must clear four big hurdles first
43-18/01/15-Elon Musk donates $10m to keep artificial intelligence good for humanity
44-18/01/15-US and UK plan cyber ‘war games’ to test resilience
45-24/01/15-WhatsApp messenger makes move to the web
46-25/01/15-Beam me up Scotty:German scientists invent working teleported, of sorts
47-01/02/15-GoogleGlass is on a strategic 'reset' and eight other things we learned
48-01/02/15-YouTubestaff too swamped to filter out all terror-related content
49-08/02/15-Themobile phone emoticons that could wipe the smile off your face :-(
50-08/02/15-Gamerraided by Swat team in front of 60,000 viewers
51-12/02/15-Candy Crush Saga players spent £865m on the game in 2014 alone
52-14/02/15-London smartphone theft drops by 50% after 'kill switch' introduction
53-16/02/15-Hackers steal $1bn in series of online bank thefts says report
54-18/02/15-Virtual-reality musical Nuren hopes for Kickstarter crowd funding success
55-20/02/15-Google backtracks on porn ban in Blogger
56-01/03/15-Samsung's voice-recording smart TVs breach privacy law, campaigners claim
57-01/03/15-Apple Watch apps limited to '10 second use', developers say
58-12/03/15-Twitter bans revenge porn in user policy sharpening
59-22/03/15-Google 'illegally took content from Amazon, Yelp, Trip Advisor,'report finds
60-22/03/15-Chineseanti-censorship group Greatfire.org suffers massive hack
61-03/04/15-Jay Z aims to topple Spotify withmusic streaming service Tidal
62-03/04/15-Googlehits back at News Corp – with a GIF of a laughing baby
63-03/04/15-Facebookadmits it tracks non-users, but denies claims it breaches EU privacy law
64-10/04/15-Governmentunder fire over alleged BBC licence fee talks with News Corp
65-10/04/15-BBCMicro Bit will complement Raspberry Pi not compete with it
66-10/04/15-BBCteams up with Google to launch digital revolution for young people
67-10/04/15-Doctorwho gets official BitTorrent ‘box-set’ from the BBC
68-10/04/15-WikiLeaksrepublishes all Sony hacking scandal documents
69-24/04/15-Googlelaunches Project Fi, US wireless service designed to curb data use
70-25/04/15-TopGear: James May rules out returning without Jeremy Clarkson
71-25/04/15-NigelFarage steps up attack on BBC after Question Time row
72-25/04/15-Google admits mistakes with newsoutlets as it announces new partnership
73-08/05/15-Ericssontakes Apple fight over iPhone and iPads to Europe
74-09/05/15-BBCWorldwide takes 25% stake in producer Curve Media
75-10/05/15-RollingTV election news eclipsed by Twitter, Buzzfeed and Periscope

Sunday 10 May 2015

Rolling TV election news eclipsed by Twitter, Buzzfeed and Periscope

Title: Rolling TV election news eclipsed by Twitter, Buzzfeed and Periscope

Summary:
This article is about how rolling television has suffered in the last 5 years, as the struggle for attention in a world of Twitter, Buzzfeed and Periscope. The rise of new and digital media has led to the fall in television news industry.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø   Bewitched by iPad apps, speak of “all platforms being equal”, and of the danger in treating news channels as “some separate legacy product, like Windows 95”. 
Ø  Executive producers and the entire planning team – around 30 editorial staff in total – have been forced to reapply for a smaller number of jobs.

Opinion:

In my opinion, I believe that the news industry has been suffering lately in light of the elections, and new and digital media has risen in popularity due to its easy access and faster coverage. 

BBC Worldwide takes 25% stake in producer Curve Media

Title: BBC Worldwide takes 25% stake in producer Curve Media

Summary:
This article is about how BBC Worldwide have taken a stake in Claimed and Shamed producers Curve Media after the chief executive Tim Davie said he had “re-engaged the engines” on investing in production companies. The BBC’s commercial wing will “make more of these sorts of investments” said Davie, who said Worldwide is “pushing through a number of deals”.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  BBC Worldwide has taken stakes in companies before such as comedy specialist Big Talk (which is now owned by ITV) and drama company Left Bank (which is majority owned now by Sony) but Davie said he has “re-engaged the engines on this” but with “a specific brief” and is “pushing through a number of deals … we’re ambitious in the UK, we’re going to build our capability”.


Ericsson takes Apple fight over iPhone and iPads to Europe

Title: Ericsson takes Apple fight over iPhone and iPads to Europe


Summary:
This article is about how Ericsson has brought its fight with Apple over licensing to Europe, launching new lawsuits in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. The two media conglomerates are locked in battle in the United States, where Ericsson is seeking to block the sale of Apple’s iPhone and iPad over alleged patent infringement after licensing agreements expired. The Swedish telecoms pioneer said it had offered to enter into arbitration with Apple to reach a global licensing agreement for its patents, but that offer had now expired.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  “Apple continues to profit from Ericsson’s technology without having a valid licence in place,” said Kasim Alfalahi, chief intellectual property officer for Ericsson.
Ø  The new and existing lawsuits relate to 2G, 3G and 4G patents, as well as other wireless communications systems, TV streaming and access to apps on phones.
Ø  Analysts have predicted it could cost Apple between $250m and $750m annually should the courts side with Ericsson over whether Ericsson’s patent royalty demands were fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory given the fundamental nature of the technology for mobile devices.
Ø  Ericsson’s 35,000-plus intellectual property portfolio was estimated to be worth $1.18bn in 2014. The company has over 100 patent licensing agreements with mobile technology companies and is the largest manufacturer of network equipment.
Ø  Last year, Samsung agreed to pay Ericsson $650m along with years of royalties to end a licence dispute.

Opinion:
In my opinion, this article shows how two media conglomerates locked in battle can seem so simple yet so distant. It shows that media conglomerates also have disputes and can be faced with difficulties.


Sunday 3 May 2015

Google admits mistakes with news outlets as it announces new partnership

Title: Google admits mistakes with news outlets as it announces new partnership


Summary:
Google has recently to admit to making mistakes in working with news organisations as it announces a new digital partnership with eight European publishers. The Digital News Initiative is likely to be seen as an attempt by the company to improve its image after being accused of distorting internet search results and acting anti-competitively by European regulators two weeks ago.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  The European Union is investigating whether Google has abused its 90% market share in search to illegally promote its other products and services. News is not directly affected by this investigation. However, publishers have complained for years about the impact of Google’s use of their content.
Ø  Google is to establish a working group to focus on product development as well as providing a €150m (£107m) innovation fund over three years, alongside additional training and research.

Opinion:

In my opinion, this article shows how a major media conglomerate can manipulate new and digital media and then, once caught, manipulate the media itself to improve its damaged image. It can then again build its way back up to its former, if not greater, position through the digital initiative in order to make better business relationship with the European companies. 

Nigel Farage steps up attack on BBC after Question Time row

Title: Nigel Farage steps up attack on BBC after Question Time row

Summary:
UKIP leader, Nigel Farage has stepped up his battle with the broadcaster the BBC, with his accusation of bias and undermining his party’s challenge for seats at next week’s general election. Farage wasn’t invited to take part in the main Question Time-style programme with David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg on Thursday but did take part in an individual show broadcast separately in England and Wales.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  Speaking to Sky News, Farage said: “Ukip are the fourth major party in British politics and that is something that has been respected by Sky, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 but not by the BBC.
Ø  Farage formally complained to the BBC over its decision not to include him in the Question Time leaders’ special broadcast on Thursday night. David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg were quizzed separately, from 8pm to 9.30pm, but Farage was not on screen until 10.30pm.

Opinion:
In my opinion, this highlights how the BBC – which is known to be unbiased – shows bias against a smaller, rising party of UKIP.


Saturday 25 April 2015

Top Gear: James May rules out returning without Jeremy Clarkson

Title: Top Gear: James May rules out returning without Jeremy Clarkson

Summary:
This article is about how Top Gear presenter James May has ruled out returning to the BBC show without Jeremy Clarkson, saying it would be “lame” to do it with a “surrogate Jeremy”. James May said the idea that he would return alongside fellow co-host Richard Hammond with a new presenter in place of Clarkson, who was axed from the show after a fracas with a producer, was a “non-starter”.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  “Me and Hammond with a surrogate Jeremy is a non-starter, it just wouldn’t work. That would be lame, or ‘awks’ as young people say,” May told MediaGuardian.
Ø  BBC director General Tony Hall said a line had been crossed and Clarkson, a frequent source of controversy in the past, had failed to maintain standards of decency and respect at work.

Opinion:  

In my opinion, this article shows how the BBC is struggling to keep its programming together since its all ready lost two of their top stars from its hit TV show top gear.

Google launches Project Fi, US wireless service designed to curb data use

Title: Google launches Project Fi, US wireless service designed to curb data use



Summary:
This article is about how Google have released a new application called Project Fi, which is exclusively available on the Google Nexus 6 phone and solely available on the sprint and T-mobile networks. The function of the new application is that it switches between Wi-Fi and cellular networks and more than 1m open, free Wi-Fi spots, depending on which signal is strongest in order to curb data use thus this will theoretically keep phone bills low. This is Google’s first step in to the Wireless industry.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  The service will cost $20 a month plus $10 per gigabyte of data used. Customers will get money back for unused data.
Ø  The service will be available on only one device and has limited carrier coverage, so it will not make Google a major wireless industry player, said Brian Blau, research director at Gartner.
Ø  The company already has a strong presence in the mobile market through its Android operating system, which hosts some of the most popular apps, such as Gmail and Google Maps.

Opinion:

In my opinion, this article shows how Google being a major media conglomerate is further expanding its landscape, through the debut the application for the demographics of Sprint and T-mobile in America for its own product. This shows how Google, Sprint Corp and T-mobile are cross promoting each other’s products/services.  

Sunday 19 April 2015

WikiLeaks republishes all Sony hacking scandal documents

Title: WikiLeaks republishes all Sony hacking scandal documents



Summary:
This article is about how WikiLeaks has recently republished the Sony data from last year’s hacking scandal, making all the documents and emails “fully searchable” with a Google-style search engine. The move provides much easier access to the stolen. 

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  Julian Assange, WikiLeaks’ editor-in-chief, said: “This archive shows the inner workings of an influential multinational corporation. It is newsworthy and at the centre of a geopolitical conflict. It belongs in the public domain. WikiLeaks will ensure it stays there.”
Ø  Former Sony Pictures chief Amy Pascal, whose controversial comments were revealed by the hack, immediately, yields nearly 5,700 results.

Opinion:

In my opinion, this article shows how privacy of major institutions, like Sony are easily prone to hacks and instant exposure to the world. This emphasises how new and digital media has impacted the institutions of the digital world.

Doctor who gets official BitTorrent ‘box-set’ from the BBC

Title: Doctor who gets official BitTorrent ‘box-set’ from the BBC


Summary:
This article is about how the BBC has uploaded a Doctor Who bundle on the legal file sharing distributor, BitTorrent, thus distributing it as a free “bundle” for the audiences, although they will be able to both download and stream, they will still have to pay $12 to unlock the 10 episodes. In addition the audience that will pay will receive 5 introductions from the modern era Doctor and the 2014 documentary, Doctor Who: Earth challenge.    

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  Fans will be able to download or stream both, but will have to pay $12 to unlock the rest of the bundle, including the 10 episodes – strictly speaking 12, since a couple are two-parters
Ø  In September 2014, with one free song and video, then a $6 payment to unlock the full album, musician Thom Yorke.

Opinion:
In my opinion, this article highlights the use of new and digital media by the BBC which has been used to monetise BitTorrent which is a free legal file sharing website. The fact that the BBC has used a new method to distribute its product presents the audiences with an even quicker and more accessible way to watch and consume products.


Friday 10 April 2015

BBC teams up with Google to launch digital revolution for young people

Title: BBC teams up with Google to launch digital revolution for young people

Summary:
This article is about how the BBC director general has pledged to do for coding and digital technology what the BBC Micro did for the emerging home computing era in the 1980s. Tony Hall was speaking after he unveiled details of the BBC’s Make It Digital initiative, a partnership with 50 organisations, including Google, Microsoft and Samsung, that will give ‘micro bit’ coding devices – around 1m of them – to every 11-year-old in the country.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  The BBC will launch a season of programmes and online activity, including a drama based on Grand Theft Auto and tie-ups with Doctor Who, Eastenders, and Radio 1. 
Ø  The BBC will also create 5,000 digital trainees as part of the project.

Opinion:

In my opinion this article shows how new and digital media has revolutionised the younger generations, and introducing them to technology at a young age so that they can be well adjusted to a time where technology is dominant.

BBC Micro Bit will complement Raspberry Pi not compete with it

Title: BBC Micro Bit will complement Raspberry Pi not compete with it

Summary:
This article is about how the BBC’s new Micro Bit programmable device is designed to complement computers like the Raspberry Pi rather than compete with them, according to people involved with the project. The broadcaster is planning to give one million units of the device away in the autumn as part of its Make It Digital initiative, including one for every child in year seven of the British education system – i.e. 11-12 year-olds.

Opinion:
In my opinion, this article shows how the BBC is investing money in to the future generations of the technological era.




Government under fire over alleged BBC licence fee talks with News Corp

Title: Government under fire over alleged BBC licence fee talks with News Corp

Summary:
This article is about how the government has been urged to look again at the BBC's funding and reveal the extent to which it was discussed with News Corporation before last year's shotgun licence fee settlement. The MP John McDonnell has claimed that there were "undue influences from the Murdoch Empire" 

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  McDonnell said James Murdoch, the under-fire deputy chief operating officer at News Corporation, had made it "quite clear" that he wanted a reduced licence fee so that News Corporation could "exploit and develop their own empire at the expense of the BBC".
Ø  MPs accused him of being "light-hearted" about their concerns for local radio – Vaizey used one reply to come up with a jingle for BBC Radio Oxford – and former Labour culture minister Ben Bradshaw said he was acting like a cheerleader for the corporation.

Opinion:

In my opinion, this article is about the license fee that the BBC has the rights to and how it may come to sharing it, or making a deal with News Corporation.  

Facebook admits it tracks non-users, but denies claims it breaches EU privacy law

Title: Facebook admits it tracks non-users, but denies claims it breaches EU privacy law
Summary:

This article is about how Facebook has recently admitted that it tracked its users who do not have an account with the social network, but they have stated that the tracking only happened because of a bug that is now being fixed. The social network hit out at the report commissioned by the Belgian data protection authority, which found Facebook in breach of European data privacy laws, saying that the report“gets it wrong multiple times in asserting how Facebook uses information”.
Facts/Phrases:
Ø  “Facebook does receive standard ‘web impressions’, or website visit information, when people visit sites with our plugins or other integrations.
Ø  Facebook is under increasing pressure outside of Ireland, where the company is headquartered and regulated by the Irish data protection authority. A task force of data regulators from Belgium, France, Spain and Italy has been set up to look at Facebook’s privacy practices, while the Flemish, Dutch and European parliaments have also called for closer looks at the company.
Opinion:

In my opinion, this article shows how privacy is a major issue online, especially in terms of losing information to advertisers of users of Facebook, that non Facebook users are also at risk.

Google hits back at News Corp – with a GIF of a laughing baby

Title: Google hits back at News Corp – with a GIF of a laughing baby

Summary:
This article is about how Google has hit out at Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp in a strident attack accusing the Wall Street Journal of “inaccuracies” it also features an animated GIF of a laughing baby. Furthermore, News Corp has been a vocal critic of the tech giant’s dominant position in search, with chief executive Robert Thomson accusing it last year of being a “platform for piracy”.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  The WSJ said Google staff had visited the White House 230 times since Obama’s inauguration compared with 20 for media group Comcast. 
Ø  Google responded that 33 of these were not employees at the time of their visit, while five were from an engineer helping to fix the government’s Healthcare.gov website.

Opinion:
In my opinion, this article is about the clash between the two major conglomerates, Google and News Corporation. The way Google’s behaviour in retaliating is associated with a laughing baby GIF.




Jay Z aims to topple Spotify with music streaming service Tidal

Title: Jay Z aims to topple Spotify with music streaming service Tidal

Summary:
Jay Z while being backed by a roll call of A-list friends is fronting the re-launch of a music streaming website heralded as the first real challenger to Spotify. Kanye West, Rihanna, Coldplay, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé are some of the stars that have unveiled the new look for Tidal, a streaming site originally launched by Norwegian firm Aspiro in October 2014 and acquired for $56m earlier this month by a company controlled by the music mogul.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø   Tidal will compete with Spotify and upcoming streaming services from Apple and YouTube by offering exclusive music from prominent artists, including studio sessions and demo tracks, while giving them new ways to communicate with fans.
Ø  Musicians including Beyoncé, Deadmau5, Nicki Minaj and Jack White replaced their Twitter profile pictures with blank blue images while tweeting the #TIDALforALL hashtag ahead of the event in a show of online support.
Ø  Tidal’s key selling point so far has been its “lossless” quality streams, for which the company charges a monthly subscription of £19.99 – double its rivals. It is available in 31 countries, with six more to follow by the end of June.
Ø  By the end of 2014, Tidal had 500,000 paying users. It will launch a £9.99 subscription model alongside its existing one.

Opinion:

In my opinion, this article shows how new and digital media gives rise to newer competitors, especially since Spotify is the leading music applications.  

Thursday 9 April 2015

Independent Case Study : BBC and the television industry

The Basics
Your chosen industry:   
Television Industry                         
Your chosen case study (i.e. text/institution etc.):           
The BBC              
Have you received approval for this case study from your teacher?
 Yes

Audience
1) How has new and digital media changed the audience experience in your chosen industry?
New and digital media has revolutionized the television industry for audiences as it has created a more convenient and faster experience, in terms of online catch up and online streaming. Where television programmes are available online through streaming sites and iplayers. Prior to new and digital media there was only one source to which audiences experienced televisions programmes were televisions.
  
2) Has new and digital media changed the way the audience consume your chosen product?    
Prior to new and digital media there was only one source to which audiences consumed televisions programmes were televisions, however through new and digital media, there have been faster ways to consume BBC products, such as BBC iPlayer, and not just the BBC but other television products too. 
              
3) Has the size of the audience changed as a result of new and digital media? 
There has been a growth in the size of the audience due to new and digital media as it had provided the audiences with a quicker and more accessible medium for the BBC, especially in regards to introduction of BBC iPlayer.

4) What are the positive changes new and digital media have brought to the audience of your case study? (E.g. greater choice, easier access etc.)          
Ø  Easier access
Ø  Faster
Ø  More convenient  
zz5) What are the negative changes new and digital media have had on your chosen audience? (E.g. quality of product etc.)               
Ø   Quality has decreased in regards to what has been shown.
6) What about audience pleasures - have these changed as a result of new and digital media?
Audience pleasures have changed. Prior to introduction of new and digital media, the only audience pleasure that has applied was the surveillance as the shows the BBC had aired were mainly news based shows and documentaries. However, in this current new and digital media age all 4 areas of audience pleasures applied. In regards to diversion, shows like Eastenders have led to escapism of real life problems.  In regards, to personal identity, the audience is able to identify with the issues and events as they have been through the same issues. In regards, to the personal relationship area the audience has developed a bond with the characters and identify with them.
7) What is the target audience for your chosen case study? Write a demographic/psychographic profile.          
The demographic for the BBC is a range of ages between 14-50 years old both male and female. The psychographics of the BBC are mainstreamers and due to its wide demographic and explorers due to its wide range of content and programming.                 

Institution
1) How has new and digital media had an impact on ownership or control in your chosen industry?
In the television industry there has been rise of competition, as there has been rise of ITV, E4 and the introduction of American channels such as FOX.  It has led to a rise in competition and led to a wider variety and choice for the audience but reduced profits for the institutions.
2) What impact has new and digital media had on ownership in your chosen case study?          
The BBC is in control of the TV licence fee, where they are funded by a remit to produce products that are used to “Inform, Educate and Entertain”. New and Digital media has promoted this by the introduction of BBC iPlayer. 
3) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions produce texts?             
New and digital media has been able to enhance the quality of the texts that the BBC is able to put out. For example, documentaries.
4) How has new and digital media changed the way institutions distribute their product?
Aside from the actually television channel the BBC has introduced the BBC iPlayer site and app on smartphones and tablets.
5) How might new and digital media threaten your chosen industry?  
New and Digital media is somewhat a threat to the television industry as it is possible for new and digital media to replace televisions entirely. As smart televisions have already been introduced that have built in applications like BBC iPlayer.
6) How has new and digital media changed the way your chosen industry is regulated?             
The regulation of the television industry has changed as prior to new and digital media the television industry there was more censorship and control. However, with the new and digital media there has been a larger acceptance of explicit content.

UGC
1) What examples of user-generated content can you find in your case study?
The BBC uses user generated content very scarcely and little. The BBC set up a user generated content team as a pilot in April 2005 with 3 staff. In the wake of the 7 July 2005 London bombings and the Buncefield oil depot fire, the team was made permanent and was expanded, reflecting the arrival in the mainstream of the citizen journalist. After the Buncefield disaster the BBC received over 5,000 photos from viewers. The BBC does not normally pay for content generated by its viewers.               
2) How has UGC changed things for audiences or institutions in your chosen case study?           
User generated content has been utilised by institutions in some cases where they have been integrated in mainstream media, as they have never used content that had been shot by citizens as it would have been classified as unprofessional and would be unwilling to use these, however due to new and digital media has led to people using their smart phones and cameras to record their videos of events and post them up or send them in to major institutions like the BBC.  

Marxism, Pluralism and Hegemony
1) What would be a Marxist perspective of the impact of new and digital media on your chosen case study?   
A Marxist perspective would suggest that new and digital media is used to keep institutions like the BBC at the top and maintaining the status quo, keeping the BBC as one of the major players in television.
2) How would a pluralist view the impact of new and digital media in your chosen industry?   
A pluralist would argue that new and digital media has allowed the television industry give opportunity to smaller channels and the birth to new channels. For example channels like Comedy central and ITV.          
3) Are there any examples of hegemony in your chosen industry or case study?             
The hegemonic control is maintained in the television industry through major players like News Corporation in the form of FOX and ITV.     

Globalisation
1) How has globalisation impacted on your chosen industry or case study?       
Globalisation in the television industry is evident, as they promote their different platforms, for example the BBC promotes BBC iPlayer on television and the BBC iPlayer app on both the television channels and the website.
2) In your opinion, has globalisation had a positive or negative impact on your chosen industry and case study? Why?
Personally, I believe that globalisation has had a positive impact on the television industry, as it gives them different platforms to which they reach their audiences and become synergetic. On the BBC, it had had a positive impact as they are able to provide their products and texts to a larger audience at a more easily accessible and faster way.
3) Can you find examples of cultural imperialism in your case study or industry? (The 'Americanisation' of the world)
In the television industry, the Americanisation has begun; this is due to the input of more and more American programming that is being bought to the UK through channels like E4 and FOX. Examples of programmes are The Big Bang Theory, 2 Brooke Girls and How I Met Your Mother. 


Social media
1) How has your industry or case study used social media to promote its products?      
The television industry and the BBC both have capitalised on social media, as they have created their own accounts on almost all social media sites. As the BBC has an instagram account for each of its channels. For example the BBC news instagram account posts regular images and videos of the latest and up to the min news, this is similar to the BBC twitter and Facebook accounts, where they post news up live, which can be shared and liked.                
2) Provide examples of how your case study has used social media and explain the impact this would have on audiences.              
On Facebook, the BBC account has posted a video of “Why are so many of Canada's Aboriginal girls being murdered?” the impact on the audience is that they are able to receive information on the go and there isn’t a need to sit down in front of the television to receive news. On Twitter, the BBC’s main account, posts tweets and news, as well as retweets and favourites, for example the BBC retweeted about the BAFTA awards nominations, thus promoting the television products. The impact on the audience is that it informs them about the latest on an even that the BBC is broadcasting. 
3) Is social media seen as an opportunity or a threat to your industry and case study?   
For the BBC and television, social media can be seen as both a threat and opportunity. It can be seen as a threat as it can divert the attention of the audiences and it has led to a rise in newer forms of entertainment such as Vines and youtubers. However, it can be seen as an opportunity to reach a wider audience and newer audiences, as well as inter-promote their apps, websites, and channels.   


Statistics
1) What statistics can you find to illustrate the impact new and digital media has had on your industry or case study? For example, in news, the UK newspaper industry sold more than 12m copies a day in 2001 but in 2014 it was below 7m.   
Ø  Russia has shown the biggest growth for a single market, with the audience more than doubling to 6.9m weekly as people turn to the BBC for trustworthy and impartial news.
Ø  The BBC’s Ukrainian Service also reflects this trend with its audience more than trebling to more than 600,000 over the last year.
Ø  BBC World News TV shows an increase of 5m viewers, taking its weekly audience to 76m.
Ø  The Indian audience has grown, and shows signs of recovering from the last few years of decline. This comes thanks to investments in digital and TV for the Hindi Service, including the launch of the Global India programme on TV - which pulls in 6m weekly viewers - and an increase in World News viewers. These increases more than offset the loss of shortwave listeners to the Hindi Service.
Ø  BBC digital news services have continued to grow, with an 8m, or 21 per cent, year-on-year increase, bringing the digital audience to 46m.
Ø  The weekly audience for GN Ltd – which comprises BBC World News and bbc.com/news - has increased to 95.5m from 88m last year: a rise of 8 per cent
Ø  The audience for the BBC World Service has remained broadly stable at 191.4 million (slightly down from 192.2m last year), with the introduction of new TV language bulletins boosting the World Service’s television audience
Ø  Increases in television and digital audiences are offsetting the decline (mainly on shortwave and medium wave) in radio listening. Radio audiences have dropped by 17m since last year, although radio still remains the biggest platform overall at 128m listeners, with TV viewers at 126m
Ø  The launch of responsive design (now available for all World Service languages) and the move to ‘mobile-first’ has contributed to mobile growth. A third of all weekly visitors to World Service websites come via mobile
Ø  For the first time, a nationally representative media survey was conducted in Yemen, showing an audience of 3.8m weekly viewers for BBC Arabic TV in that country
Ø  The average age of the audience for the BBC’s global news services is 32
2) What impact have the statistics you have found had on institutions in your chosen industry?
The impact of these statistics on the institutions in the television industry is that new and digital media has led to an increase in television and digital audience.
3) What has the impact been for audiences?    
The impact for the audiences is that they are consuming more and more in the aspects of digital media and television products.

Theories
1) What media theories can you apply to your chosen industry and case study? Select THREE media theories and explain how they are relevant to your case study. Note: these can be ANY of the theories we have learned over the whole of Year 12 and 13.          
The first media theory I will be using is the dependency theory this applies to the BBC as the audience of the BBC relies on reliable, unbiased and accurate news and broadcasting as well as their programming to be educated about different aspects. The audiences are reliant on their media texts and programming. This can also link to the hypodermic needle theory, where information is directly injected in to the audience’s mind, as they need their nest dose of entertainment. The next media theory I can apply to the case study is the theory of uses and gratifications. In regards to diversion, shows like Eastenders have led to escapism of real life problems.  In regards, to personal identity, the audience is able to identify with the issues and events as they have been through the same issues. In regards, to the personal relationship area the audience has developed a bond with the characters and identify with them.
                
Wider examples and secondary texts
1) What other texts or institutions are also relevant to your case study? What would be good secondary texts or examples to use to support the findings of your independent case study?
News Corporation is a good institution especially due to the recent argument over the TV license Fee and whether the BBC should be receiving it or, if it should be split.
Ø  John McDonnell MP claimed there were "undue influences from the Murdoch Empire" in the hastily agreed settlement that saw the licence fee frozen for six years and the corporation take on a greater financial burden, including the BBC World Service.   

Sunday 22 March 2015

Chinese anti-censorship group Greatfire.org suffers massive hack

Title: Chinese anti-censorship group Greatfire.org suffers massive hack


Summary:
An advocacy group that helps internet users inside China bypass blocks on censored content says it is suffering a denial-of-service attack disrupting its operations.

Facts/phrases:
Ø  US-subsidised Greatfire.org says the attack started two days ago and traffic is 2,500 times above normal. It has affected “mirror”, or duplicate, websites that it has set up via encrypted web services offered by companies such as Amazon.
Ø  According to the free-expression watchdog Freedom House, since late 2013 Greatfire.org has been hosting content on domains owned by Amazon and other major companies, which officials cannot risk censoring because of their large commercial footprint within China.
Ø  The current denial-of-service attack that is flooding the mirror websites is costing the group up to $30,000 per day in bandwidth.

Ø  The Open Technology Fund, a US-government-backed initiative to support internet freedom, says on its website it provided Greatfire.org with $114,000 in 2014.

Google 'illegally took content from Amazon, Yelp, Trip Advisor,' report finds

Title- Google 'illegally took content from Amazon, Yelp, Trip Advisor,' report finds

Summary:
This article is about how Google manipulated its search results to promote its own services over those of rival websites in ways that led to “real harm to consumers”.

Facts/Phrases:
Ø  America’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted unanimously to end its investigation into Google in early 2013 after extracting concessions from the Silicon Valley Company.
Ø  The findings, contained in a report produced in 2012 by FTC staff to advise commissioners before their final decision on the case, claim Google also caused “harm to many vertical competitors”.
Ø  In its 2013 settlement, the FTC ruled against Google on scraping. Rivals can now opt out of having their content lifted, without fear of being demoted in the search rankings.
Ø  Scott Cleland, publisher of the watchdog site Google Monitor and president of the Precursor research firm, said: “Public evidence concerning the sequence of events surrounding the FTC’s closure of its Google search practices investigation creates at least the appearance that politics, and not merits, drove the FTC’s ultimate conclusion.”

Opinion:

In my opinion, i think this shows how Google being a monolithic empire has stayed on top by manipulating the information of its sources, in order to profit from the advertising.