Lecture Six

Commercial media plays an interesting role in Australia. While it is generally favoured by the majority of people for entertainment, sports coverage and special events, 


Essentially because commercial media is driven by the profit margins and dollars, ensuring high ratings is the only way they can receive sponsorship. Channels Seven, Nine and Ten compete in bidding wars to secure the rights to televise large sporting events and popular TV programs. For example this year Channel Nine will be programming the majority of the 2012 London Olympics which has a huge audience Australia-wide. 


News is presented in a variety of ways on commercial station. Each have their own nightly news, factually based presentation in addition to various current affairs programs (where one can learn about shady car dealers, police out to get drivers and how to save on groceries each week) and morning shows. Although the latter contains bursts of factual news, the focus of programs such as Sunrise, Mornings with Keri Anne or Today is far more 'wider entertainment.' These programs often have guests, 'experts' on issues like relationships/health/wellbeing and a myriad of infomercials. 


The boys from ABC's Chaser's War on Everything frequently produced segments about what they had learned from Today Tonight or A Current Affair (from Seven and Nine respectively), making light of the often idiotic story angles they propagate. It can be quite amusing:

Chasers War on Everything - Current Affairs 08/05/07

I concede that it is quite likely that as a journalist I will be working for a commercial station at some point, in part due to the size of the industry but also because of the income potential. Despite this, I still think I would prefer to work for a public network like the ABC as I believe I'd be far more likely to be able to write investigative stories about less 'popularised' issues, particularly in politics. I have no intention of letting a pushy editor force me to compromise on my own morals though. Earning good money isn't that important, I want to give the public correct information.


Not all comercial news is bound to be false or misleading, however the fact that so many journalists do not verify information is somewhat concerning. This video is from the ABC program, Hungry Beast, where a bunch of young journalists created a false survey and released it to see if any of the media outlets would bother to verify it. The results are scary.

Lecture Five

This week I was able to enjoy the lecture from the comfort of my own lounge, although not because I was too lazy to attend and instead watched the podcast. The lecture was about audio, and was therefor presented as a recorded session of interviews about radio.

Richard Fidler and Steve Austin, of ABC Local Radio were interviewed about their views on the medium. I found their insight very thought provoking, giving a really interesting perspective on radio that many people don't consider. Steve in particular was very excited by the capabilities of radio. He feels that it allows the audience to connect more emotionally with the stories presented as the interviews are not 'spoken at' a person such as in TV, but rather it penetrates ones thoughts subconsciously. 

I've inherited my enjoyment of radio news from my mother, she is always listening to the programs on the ABC and often sprouts out facts about new studies on everything from behavioural management in schools (she is a teacher after all) to biographic tid-bits she has learned about famous/well travelled guests on the programs. I am also an avid debater, which in essence, relies purely on the conveyance of an argument with the voice. I really admire the great journalists in radio who seem to be able to extract the most amazing stories from people in such a way that I feel a part of the whole experience. 

I think radio has a very exciting future in digital broadcasting. The transition will be a lengthy one as generally the car is where most people listen to the radio and old cars are fitted out with analog radios. Despite this, the ability to stream stations online has allowed radio stations to really penetrate further afield than their local areas as well as give more choice to the audience. 

Noel Gallagher (formerly of Oasis) is notorious for his often controversial and highly opinionated interviews. While he is undeniably witty and somewhat right in the things he says, I also find that his personality takes over in an interview situation. Especially given that he is seen as somewhat a brit-pop god, I imagine he is quite a daunting person to talk to at times. Some people probably find his domineering personality detracts from conversation; he always steers the interviews. However I really find his manner and the stories he tells quite interesting to listen to, although I can definitely appreciate how frustrating it must be for journalists sometimes. 

This is a radio interview he did with Triple J's Tom & Alex earlier this year whilst he was in Australia for Big Day Out. I think it illustrates what I am talking about fairly well, and it is also quite funny!

 

Noel Gallagher

Triple J's Tom & Alex 

Record Store Day

Since its inception in 2008, Record Store Day has become a worldwide celebration of all things vinyl.  This year labels and artist have really outdone themselves with the number and quality of limited releases we can expect to arrive in some record stores on the 21st of April. The whole list of special releases is on the website (below) and they really are something special. Personally I'd love to have the Arctic Monkeys 7" purple vinyl of R U Mine + a brand new B-Side. But it's only a very limited release so I don't favour my chances of scoring one. 

 http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases

Hundreds of Independent Music Stores around the world are celebrating with in-store performances and many other surprises. Most exciting would have to be the musical gems created by a little store by the name of Third Man Records, based in Nashville, USA. They are truly the the Willy Wonka factory of vinyl making. The company released a teaser of the cool records they would be releasing for Record Store Day 2012. Everything you could imagine, including multi-coloured vinyl, etched surface vinyls and my favourite, a blue liquid-filled vinyl. (WOW!)

THIRD MAN RECORDS

Record Store Day 2012

Brisbane's own popular independent record store, Rocking Horse, will be having a store-wide sale and performances from local acts, Jungle Giants, Blank Realm and Rattlehand. Check out the Facebook event for all the details! It will be a super fun day, but if you do come across the Arctic Monkeys vinyl, HANDS OFF!.. No seriously, I am willing to go to extreme lengths, even fist blows if necessary to get it!

http://www.facebook.com/events/353651481338416/

To the majority of people, vinyl records are either just some dusty, outdated technology belonging to an old generation, or an eccentric interest of an alternate few. However despite the decline in music sales globally, record sales have actually continually increased over the past few years, so perhaps vinyls will always have a place in the hearts of music lovers. I'm definitely looking forward to Saturday at any rate :)

“I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, Guardians, and neighborhood ne’er do wells, start taking younger people That look up to them To a real record store and show them what an important part of life music really is. I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to Leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties. And to the record stores, artists, labels, dj’s, and journalists; we’re all in this together. Show respect for the tangible music that you’ve dedicated your careers and lives to, and help It from becoming nothing more than disposable digital data.”

- Jack White

Media Use Diary

Over ten days I documented my use of media to analyse and compare with that of my fellow JOUR1111 students.

The results were surprising in some cases though predictable in others. The one failing I found with this project was it didn't recognise multi-tasking. It is not unusual that I might be watching T.V, working in Microsoft Word, browsing Facebook or reading articles simultaneously. 

My results are recorded in minutes below. On average I spend about 10 hours using media per day. The types of media I used greatly depended on a variety of external factors. 

For example on the Saturday I went to a gig, which meant I used my iPhone Camera 40 times more than my previous average and didn't use my computer at all. This was not a result of a typical Saturday, just this particular date.

Media Diary Minutes Per Day

[March 7^th-17^th]

TECHNOLOGY	DETAIL	THUR	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THUR	FRI	SAT	TOTAL
iPhone	Email	10	5	10	0	10	5	10	10	20	0	80
	iMessage	30	10	15	30	15	20	30	40	40	40	270
	Telephone	20	30	30	70	20	20	50	60	50	70	420
	Instagram	20	15	10	0	10	5	15	10	10	30	125
	ANZ	2	1	0	0	5	5	5	10	0	10	38
	Triple J	10	0	0	10	20	0	10	20	15	40	125
	Facebook	5	10	10	10	10	10	5	15	15	30	120
	Twitter	5	0	10	10	10	10	0	0	15	10	70
	Camera	1	1	5	0	0	0	5	5	0	80	97
	iPod	90	60	70	30	80	70	15	45	80	30	570
		193	132	160	170	180	145	95	215	245	340	1915
T.V	ABC 1	30	0	30	0	60	0	90	0	40	20	270
	ABC 24	15	15	30	0	0	15	15	30	0	30	150
	ABC 2	40	0	0	0	40	60	40	0	0	0	180
	Ten	60	0	0	210	60	30	60	160	60	0	640
		145	15	60	210	160	105	205	190	100	50	1240
Internet	Facebook	0	0	20	0	20	10	20	20	20	0	110
	Twitter	10	0	0	0	10	15	15	30	40	0	120
	Last.fm	15	5	0	10	15	10	10	5	10	0	80
	NewsOnline	10	10	30	20	10	0	10	5	20	0	115
	UniReading	50	20	0	40	30	40	20	15	0	0	215
	Blogspot	0	0	0	0	0	0	70	60	30	0	160
	Misc.	20	10	20	10	0	10	20	10	0	0	100
		95	35	70	80	85	85	165	145	120	0	960
Computer	iTunes	20	20	70	30	0	60	80	90	0	0	370
	VLC	30	90	60	0	60	30	0	150	190	0	610
	Mic. Word	90	60	10	150	80	120	60	80	90	0	650
		140	170	140	180	140	210	140	290	280	0	1630
Print	Magazines	30	10	0	0	40	30	30	0	0	15	155
	Newspaper	0	0	20	30	0	0	20	20	0	0	90
	Novels	0	0	30	0	0	20	30	0	0	0	80
		30	10	50	30	40	50	80	20	0	15	325
TOTAL MEDIA USE PER DAY		593	362	480	670	605	595	685	860	745	405	5970

SOCIAL MEDIA

In almost every example my results were in the minority or people who extensively used certain social platforms. 

Figure 1

There are over 300 Million people currently using Twitter world-wide. It remains one of the only social networking platforms where celebrities, politicians and other public figures interact on the same level as the general public. 

Despite this, 68% of students surveyed did not have a Twitter account (Fig. 1). I found myself in the minority of people who have multiple accounts as I use Twitter both for personal use and the promotion of volunteer organisations I work with. 

Figure 2

Blogs are often used by journalists as a way of communicating with an audience outside the boundaries of corporate publications. Once again I was in the minority, having multiple Blogging accounts for my various interests (Fig. 2).

Figure 3

Overall I use Facebook more than other social media (Fig.3). This was a surprise to me however I'd attribute it to the fact that since moving interstate I use it more to keep in touch with friends and family at home.

SMART PHONES

I own an iPhone 4 which places me in the majority of JOUR1111 students surveyed as the most popular smart phone was the iPhone (Fig. 4). On average I use my iPhone for 2.5 hours a day. It is an integral part of my daily routine and I rely on it completely for communication purposes as my flat does not have a land line or an internet connection (yet!). 

Figure 4

The survey results showed that the majority students predominately used the Facebook App (Fig.5). Although I do use the app, it does not stand out as the single most-used App on my phone. Figure 6 shows that I use other Apps such as Instagram, Triple J and Twitter as much, if not more than Facebook. 

Figure 5

Figure 6

INTERNET & COMPUTERS

I am the proud owner of a Mac Book Pro. Only 34% of the students surveyed use Mac computers consistently though this is a minority I am happy to be a member of! 

Figure 7

On average I use the internet 1.5 hours a day although this was not including the iPhone Apps. There was a fairly even spread of students using anyway between 1 and 4 hours of internet a day (Fig. 8). 

Figure 8

TELEVISION

On average I watch 2 hours of TV per day, a surprising amount of this was actually news updates, question time in Parliament and less surprisingly, Dr Who reruns. Some 30% of the class also watched between 1-2 hours per day which was the largest group.

MUSIC & RADIO

During the ten days I didn't actually listen to any radio because I used to always listen to it in the car and in Brisbane I do not have one. 

I do listen to a lot of music using the iPod on my iPhone and iTunes when on my computer. The convenience and mobility of the iPod allows me to listen to music on public transport and walking to and from work.

Figure 9

PRINT MEDIA

Overwhelmingly my use of 'New Media' eclipsed the minor amount of print media that I read (Fig. 10). This is not an average week for me, at home I am subscribed to Triple J Mag, New Music Express and my then local paper. I have not had time to renew these subscriptions since my move. 

This can also largely be attributed to the fact I do all university readings on my computer because a) I don't have a printer and b) My inner environmentalist doesn't want to print things.

Figure 10

CONCLUSION

The most surprising thing I found about this project was just how little social media (other than the ever-popular Facebook) my class mates used. I can't imagine not having all of these different platforms to communicate ideas and express myself... it's fun!