This blog is made with the purpose of publishing things of interest to me, sharing and also getting to know my audience along the way.
I am a 23 year old content creator who loves fashion and beauty.
I am currently doing my masters in Journalism and media communication in Griffith College , Dublin Ireland
Edited with Lightroom
Edited with VSCO and FACE TUNE
These are half body shots which were candid and are able to tell a story
Few days ago , I covered the Gifted crafts fair in RDS Main hall, 4 Merrion road Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. It was about designers, artisans and small independent retailers who displayed their craft on stalls throughout the exhibition hall.
The event kicked off at about 10am, we had no tickets Patrick O’Sullivan came to get us from the entrance. The event was beautiful, this was creativity at its peak. There were a lot of vendors that displayed their crafts with pride and were really happy to talk about their handiwork. There were really welcoming I must say.
The target audience of this publication is every one in Ireland who is able to read. My news story was written in simple language which would enable any age group to read and understand. This story is for publication.
I was opportune to interview a carpenter who makes clocks, wine tables, mirrors from timber. He shared how he loved to carve and what he uses to achieve the end product of his craft.
I also interviewed a middle aged woman who makes lamps designed from glass, she told me how she uses thousand pieces of glass to design her lamps, where she gets her glasses from how she uses solder and a cutter to design. She was really excited to share her secrets.
I learnt that craft is something that should be appreciated even though its gradually becoming extinct. Crafters take a lot of pains / procedures in making their crafts. It’s time consuming and it’s certain that it can only be passion that would keep you going. Crafts needs to be more appreciated in our society.
So far, this was one of the best events I covered, I had no difficulty whatsoever, as this is my 3rd Newsday so I’m more aware and prepared. I wish I could cover all the crafters but it was not possible. In summary it was a wonderful experience.
Question: Media ethical framework need to temper Kant’s approach with that of Bentham, Discuss this proposition in detail.
Introduction:
Immanuel Kant (1748-1832) was a German philosopher who believed in establishing principles which should be followed regardless of the consequences. While Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) An English philosopher who believed that happiness of the greatest number determines/ measures right and wrong.
Deontology (duty- based ethics)
Immanuel Kant (1748-1832) Kant’s theory was Deontology/ Duty based ethics. Duty based ethics is not concerned with outcomes, these duties include absolute truthfulness. He stated the need to do the right thing which was stated in his work ‘Grounding for the metaphysics of morals’ He begins with the need to do the right thing, a good will irrespective of the outcome. His theories stated that the rightfulness of an action does not depend on the consequences but on the imperative to fulfil a duty.
Utilitarianism (result based ethics)
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) He was a Utilitarian. Bentham created an ethical theory which was grounded on empiricist account of the human nature. He stated that what motivates human is pleasure or pain. He described happiness as a state whereby one experiences complete pleasure and there is absence of pain. He stressed that one should start out with the consequences of an action, see if it does good and do only what is effective. In the language of utilitarian’s, it’s important to go for the option that “maximizes utility,” that is the choices that produces the largest amount of good.
Deontology in the media
Kant states that our duty in the media as journalists is to be rational at all times, be consistent and impartial. He mentioned that journalists in the media has a moral obligation to be truthful, make proper sense, how accurate the mind interpret an event before reporting to the audience who have so much trust in the media which is a noble profession whereby they are held accountable and their duty is to tell the truth at all times, report events as they are and as it happens.
‘humans are ends and not a means to your end’-Immanuel Kant.
Kant stated that humans must not lie as it’s a perfect duty which we must always hold true. He mentioned that if a journalist changes a story, be it in a positive or negative way, or even by embellishment, withholding of important information which are facts, this makes the story altered which alters true reporting thereby making the story a fiction according to Kant, which goes against everything he/she stands for or represents.
“By a lie, a man annihilates his dignity as a man”- Immanuel Kant.
In summary, Kant duty-based ethics states that journalists must always report the truth at all times as this is their duty to the society.
Utilitarianism in the media
As a journalist, it’s important that ethical decisions are made when reporting news. Certain news stories are been altered in certain ways to ensure that there is happiness, and to reduce pain. Journalists needs to be diplomatic is reporting stories, there are certain news stories when reported can cause war or can terrify the people in the society. In as much as the media needs to report the truth at all times, sometimes it’s wise of the media to look at the consequences in which an act might bring and filter it so as to ensure that there is peace and happiness in the society. In as much as the facts needs to be reported sometimes the truth cannot be handled by the society (truth be told)which can in turn lead to war, hence, the media makes use of gate keeping theory in situations like this, they filter the amount of information and type of news that gets to the people to ensure that there is more happiness than pain. Example in Ireland Rape victims /murderers are not identified in the media, their names and pictures or addresses are not published, these needs to be filtered to avoid unnecessary embarrassments, moping by people, anguish or pain of the victims. This is done to ensure that these people do not go and kill/harm themselves because of the embarrassments they might face in the public.
Deontology vs Utilitarianism in the media
Deontology is a good ethical principle but cannot be applied in every situation in the media. Kant mentioned that humans must never lie, a journalist must not change a story in any form, he or she must speak the truth at all times. One must consider the outcome in media reporting because news reported without filter can result to war in the society. Deontology ensures that one must speak the truth at all times that means to speak the truth you are picking sides, a journalist is expected to be neutral at all times not taking sides, if you take sides you’re seen to be subjective which goes against the journalistic codes of ethics. While in utilitarianism, some stories need to be filtered, all information cannot be given to the people. In the media, the editor employs Jeremy Bentham’s ethics in being a gate keeper, a gatekeeper has its influence in the media on what information should get to the public. Through this filtering process the unwanted and controversial information are retracted by the gatekeeper, this controls inflow of information to the society. In media the editor plays the gatekeeper, he decides the news item that will be broadcasted to the public each and every day, he/she sometimes rejects news items because of media policies. he makes ethical decisions daily; through this ethics and policies he makes his decision on what should be aired.
Result based ethics appeals to common sense because it focuses on the total happiness of the people causing more pleasure than pain. But also, Utilitarianism cannot be entirely adopted in news reporting/in the media because one has to report events as it is, not filtered all the time, because it’s the media’s responsibility to do so because they are accountable to the society. I know the people always want to see good reports in the media that leads to happiness and such but sometimes some reports have to be made even though it can cause pain the consumers.
Therefore, one must use Utilitarianism in cases where it applies and would result in the best outcome and Deontology in cases where it best applies, no ethical principle is perfect in all situation, they apply in different cases and must be used appropriately as the case may be.
References
Bentham, J. (1996). The collected works of Jeremy Bentham: An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Clarendon Press.
Gottlieb, P., Zalta, N. (2018). The Stanford encyclopaedia of philosophy. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. Retrieved 6th April 2018- via Stanford Encyclopaedia of philosophy.
Kant, I. (1998). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Cambridge U.K: Cambridge University Press.
RUNNING ORDER FRO NEWS BULLETIN
| TIME | DURATION | PROGRAMME |
| 00:00 – 00:08 | 8 seconds | News Jingle |
| 00:08 – 00:34 | 26 seconds | News Headlines |
| 00:35 – 00:38 | 3 seconds | Sting |
| 00:38 – 3:47 | 3 minutes and 9 seconds | News in Details |
| 3:47 – 3:50 | 3 seconds | Sting |
| 3:50 – 4:31 | 41 seconds | Sports News |
| 4:31 – 4:34 | 3 seconds | Sting |
| 4:34 – 5:04 | 30 seconds | Weather Forecast |
| 5:04 – 5:14 | 10 seconds | News Jingle |
NEWS BULLETIN BRIEF
Source: www.rte.ie
Time: 5 minutes 14 seconds news bulletin.
Griffith radio bulletin 0700 12/12/2019
News Jingle
Introduction: Good evening tonight! Thanks for joining us on Griffith FM 97.3, I am Ikpe Chinemere.
The headlines
Sports
1.Sergio looking to improve golfs short game
2. Man City return to winning ways against Burney
Sting
News in details
Government figures shows there are more than ten thousand five hundred and fourteen people in emergency accommodation in October, one hundred and seventeen more than the previous month.
October figures shows that there were six thousand six hundred and sixty-eight adults, one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three families and three thousand eight hundred and twenty-six children
The department of housing says there was a decrease of twenty-three families and forty-three children in comparison to September figures.
In a statement, the department said the number of families present in the homeless services decreased in October to one hundred and fifty-eight compared to one hundred and sixty-nine in September.
There were two hundred and thirteen fewer presentations of families to homeless services in the Dublin region in the first nine month of the year in compares with 2018.
The statement said that the increase in adult was expected following the introduction of additional emergency bed recently.
Also published this evening, was the departments quarterly report on homelessness. It shows the continuing increase in the number of exist from homelessness.
Minister of housing Eoghan Murphy said “The number of people in emergency accommodation is unacceptably high whilst also driving the continuing increase in the supply of new homes.
According to the report, a total of ninety-two people was recorded as rough sleeping across the Dublin region this year compared the one hundred and fifty-two in 2018. The figures also show that a total of one thousand five hundred and sixty-four adults and their children moved from emergency accommodation into tenancy.
The official rough winter sleeper count which was carried out on the night of 26th November into the morning of 27thNovember 2019, shows a 41% decrease in winter 2019.
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Former defences force member Lisa Smith has had her period of detention extended for further 24 hours.
Her period of detention was extended by a Judge at a special sitting of Dublin district court.
Ms smith was in court for the hearing and has been returned to kelvin street Garda station, where she can be detained until 10:30 am tomorrow, by which time she either must be charged or released.
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Authorities in Samoa have asked unvaccinated families to display a red flag outside their homes to help a mass immunization drive aimed at halting a measles epidemic that has killed fifty-two children.
The tiny pacific nation of two hundred thousand will grind to a halt tomorrow and Friday as non-essential government services close so public servants can help the vaccination campaign.
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The US house of representatives has voted in favour of a resolution reaffirming support for the good Friday agreement.
The bill which calls for strict adherence to the good Friday agreement during Brexit negotiations was passed by unanimous voice vote following a debate tonight on capitol hill.
Sting
Sergio Garcia wants professional golfers to be allowed to wear shorts during tournaments to better connect the programme with the millions of amateurs around the world.
More than a country of custom and etiquette came to an end at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on the European Tour last week when organizers let players wear shorts because of soaring temperatures in South Africa.
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Gabriel Jesus bagged a brace as Manchester city inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Burney at Turf Moor, with republic of Ireland international. Robbie Brady coming off the bench to score a consolation goal for the hosts in their premier league encounter.
It will be a cold, windy day with light showers. The showers will be most frequent and heaviest in the West and North with a likelihood of the thunder and hail.
Highest temperature would range from thirteen to eleven degrees. And there’s a warning that west ton northwest winds will reach gale force eight on coastal waters from Mizen head to Slyne head to fair head this morning.
That’s all for now, thanks for tuning in.
News Jingle
REFERENCES
All news items were gotten from www.rtenew.ie
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2019/0930/1079104-emergency-accommodation/
https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2019/1211/1098431-lisa-smith/
https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2019/1204/1096867-samoa-measles/
https://www.rte.ie/news/us/2019/1201/1096402-gfa-congress-brexit/
https://www.rte.ie/sport/golf/2019/1204/1096889-sergio-looking-to-improve-golfs-shorts-game/
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/1203/1096835-man-city-return-to-winning-ways-against-burnley/
Idea: I would be doing a radio documentary on Immigrants and the food in Ireland, their first impression, how they found it, if they miss their country food and how they are coping.
Topic: Home away from home
why I care about this topic:
I decided to do a radio documentary on immigrants and the food in Ireland, their feeding habits and how they find the food in their new environment because I am also an immigrant and I’ve lived in Nigeria all my life, I found it difficult to eat the food here because it was something I was not familiar with, It tasted so different. I remember wasting a lot of food the first few weeks because I did not like how it tasted. I couldn’t find the cooking ingredient’s I was familiar with Back home; it is of great concern to me how people who relocated from their various countries are adapting to the food. Is it affecting their feeding habits? Are they liking the food here? Have they lost weight because of they are not eating properly? I want to know, and I know for a fact that I am not the only one who had this difficulty in their first few months in Ireland. I also feel it would be interesting to hear what people would have to say, share their experiences, the first meal they tried, what they loved, recipes I should try, how they are coping, where they shop, it would be educative, entertaining and informative and keep my listeners glued to their radio sets.
How is this different?
This is different because, I researched on radio documentaries done prior to 2019 on Immigrants and the food in Ireland and I didn’t get much results. What I came across was ‘food in Ireland’ ‘most popular food in Ireland’ but I didn’t get any on immigrants and how they cope with the new food. This idea was born from my experience as an Immigrant who had a hard time adjusting to food in my new environment. Immigrants would contribute greatly to this programme as their views, opinions and experiences would be heard. In this documentary African/Asians food vendors would be used; the retailers would be interviewed to find out what they sell and how their business is doing/if people patronize them a lot.
Who will tell this story?
In this documentary, my contributors would be Africans, Asians, French, Germans, Brazilians African/Asian food vendors they would tell the story alongside me, as I chat with them.
I have chosen the abovementioned people as my contributors because I know it would bring different angles to the programme and strike a balance. We would be dealing with diverse people from different backgrounds and traditions whose narration and experiences can’t paint mental pictures in the mind of the listeners and would be something listeners can identify with.
African/ Asian vendors who provide immigrants with their country food would reveal facts and statistics about their businesses I believe, how people patronize them and if people really rely on them for home food. I would also be featured in this documentary because I would be taking my listeners on a journey to meet people of different works of life, ensuring they can converse and open up to me about their experiences, talking to them about mine to make them feel comfortable and to make the programme chatty.
How do I intend to structure the story’s narrative?
I plan to do this by meeting people in the streets of Dublin, O’Connell street and Henry street randomly for Vox pop because it’s one place to find a lot of people from different nationalities. I would also ask Griffith college international students who would tell me their experiences, how they are coping, what they miss from home, how it’s different here, if they go in search of home food at Asian/African food vendors, memories at home, food they discovered in Ireland and they like, how to cook it. Finally, I would go to Moore street, North side Dublin 7, Parnell street and Clondalkin, Dublin where Asian /African vendors are, I would interview the retailers on the food stuff that gets sold out the most, why they sell African/ Asian food, what motivates them, I would also ask problems they face as food vendors.
How do I aim to use audio to tell the story?
Sound is a crucial part of making a recording, I intend on making use of external microphone to capture voices as clearly as possible, ambient sounds such as people in a crowd, birds ,cars moving, noise made by cards when tapped to pay in vendors, doors opening and closing to add texture to my video and make it come alive. Music would serve as an emotional signpost to make my listeners react a different way and to set a tune to this documentary(fun, emotional) to my documentary The recording would take place in City centre( Moore street, Henry’s street, panel street) and would feature songs about home and food that paint mental pictures ‘I miss those days- bleachers’, Mango tree – Zac Brown Band (feat Sara Bareilles)’ ‘Don’t forget where you belong-one direction’ Banana pancakes-Jack Johnson’, ‘Happy home-one direction’. This would set a homely and hungry tone for my listeners.
Research already undertaken and would be needed
I conducted research on google.com on certain songs that would go with my documentary and would set a tone on. Also, I researched African/Asian shops in city centre on https://www.yelp.ie/search?find_desc=african+stores&find_loc=Dublin and on google which are Moore/ Parnell street Noor Madina foods located in North side Dublin 7 and Toby’s African store at Clondalkin Dublin.
Ethics and legal aspects
In this programme, the only legal aspect I found was asking the Asian/African food vendors if there are certain food stuffs that are not allowed or permitted in the boarder of Ireland.
This is a one minute, four seconds interview of a Griffith college student Ifeoma. Filmic pro was used in filming Ifeoma while she told me the five things, she loves about Dublin Ireland for the few months she’s been here.
This interview was done to ensure that good audio quality was used while filming. The interview was conducted using an iPhone 11, before I started my interview, I ensured that the audio bar on filmic pro were moving which indicates that they were working fine. I also launched the settings icon on the app and made sure it was on ‘iPhone mic (back)’ because I was making use of the back camera and micro phone for the interview, so I made sure filmic pro made use of this instead of ‘bottom’ and ‘front’ mic. ‘PCM’ was selected irrespective of other options like; ‘AIFF’ and ‘AAC’. I choose the highest sound quality which was ‘48.khz’ among others. I made this choice to ensure maximum audio quality.
Previous video and framing skills were employed while filming the interview. For my framing, I placed the subject where there was good lighting in her apartment, the subject was placed facing the sun and close to the objects to give a view of her home where the interview was conducted. Also, her living room was used because this was where I found enough light. I made use of medium shot to conduct this interview. I avoided getting too close to the subject since she was facing the sun to avoid creating shadows in the process of filming.
I learnt that its important to shut the windows if you are filming indoor to avoiding noise from the street and movement of cars from interfering with your audio quality.
INTRODUCTION
We constantly hear naïf claims that because press freedom is important , press regulation is unacceptable. Such assertions beg questions because they fail to consider which conception(s) of press freedom and which conception(s) of press regulation can be justified. O’neill ( 2012).
Press freedom is often held up as a major topic in debates about the future of media regulation. Tambini (2013) stated that in regulatory design, press freedom is often shorthand for the idea that newspapers, by contrast particularly to broadcasting should be free of any form of “statutory” regulation.
Government regulation of all media is subject to deep and endemic conflict of interest, as long as the press is the direct representation of the government by those who elect it, direct control of the press should be avoided Tambini( 2013).
WHAT IS PRESS REGULATION?
Tambini (2013) defined the press (newspaper, printing presses) as a means of delivery of news and other information.
Press regulation refers to the process whereby a range of specific, often binding tools are applied to media systems and institutions to achieve established policy goals such as pluralism, diversity, competition and freedom. Media regulation are rules enforced by the jurisdiction of law.
Regulation consist of statutory rules laid down by public authority example (quotas, content requirements, or ownership restrictions).
The guidelines for press regulation are different across the world. Press regulation have goals placed to protect a stated “public interest” or encouraging competition as an effective media market or establishing common technical standards.
The principal target of media regulation are the press, radio, television, music, cable , satellite storage and distribution technology(discs, tapes e.t.c) the internet, mobile phones.
PRESS REGULATION IN BRITAIN
In 2011, it was discovered that Journalists on a number of newspapers had been hacking peoples phones, from celebrities to murder victims. A good example is Milly Dowler(13) who was murdered in 2002. Her phone was being hacked by a detective working in the now defunct news of the world. Who was sending messages to her family members who thought she was still alive.
In response to this, the Prime minister at the time David Cameron created a public, judge-led investigation – the Leveson Inquiry – which was named after its chairman Lord Justice Leveson.
According to Waterson (2018) The Leveson inquiry was formed to examine the culture, behaviour and ethics of the press. The Leveson inquiry was divided into two sections
1.the first section considered ethics and its standards in the British media and heard evidence from figures across the industry.
2. The second part of the Leveson inquiry, looking into the relationship between journalists and the police, was supposed to take place at the conclusion of court cases involving alleged phone hacking and inappropriate payments to public officials.
According to Waterson (2018) Matt Hancock, announced there was no need for the commencement of the second section.
After hearing from high profiled witnesses, Lord Leveson suggested that newspapers should carryon with self-regulation as they had been by the(PCC) Press Complaints Commission , but that there should be a new press standard body created by the industry, backed by legislation, and with a new code of conduct.
The inquiry focussed on the press specifically, not into the media more generally.
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER LEVESONS INQUIRY?
In 2013, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Miliband the main political leaders at that time agreed to create a new press watch dog by Royal charter.
According to Barnett(2016) The royal charter was created with the intention of it having the power to impose million-pound fines on UK publishers and demand prominent corrections and apologies from UK news publishers, they said. Newspapers who refused to join the new regulatory regime would be liable – potentially – for hefty damages if a claim was upheld against them.
The press kicked back, saying the final draft of the Royal Charter plan was neither “voluntary or independent”, and formed its own regulator, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), with wider powers than previous bodies.
INDEPENDENT PRESS STANDARDS ORGANIZATION( IPSO)
Barnett (2016) stated that IPSO was set up in 2014 after PCC who has been the main industry regulator since 1990 was dismissed in September 2014.
IPSO was chaired by Sir Alan Moses, it was created to promote and uphold the highest professional standards of journalism in the UK. To support the members of the public in rectifying situation where by editors code of conduct were breached.
Editors code of conducts includes accuracy, invasion of privacy, intrusion into grief or shock and harassment. However, The Guardian and The Financial Times remain outside its scope.
IPSO holds newspapers and magazines accountable for their actions , protect individual rights, uphold high standards and help. Maintain freedom of expression for the press.
IPSO is funded by the Regulatory funding company (RFC) which is funded by member publications. IPSO carries out its work separately and completely independent from its members. Barnett (2016)
FUNCTIONS OF IPSO
1. It handles complaints and conducts its own investigations into editorial standards and compliance.
2. It undertake monitoring work by requiring publications to submit annual compliance reports.
3. IPSO has the power where necessary to require the publication of prominent corrections and critical adjudications and may ultimately fine publications in cases where failings are particularly serious and systematic.
4. its considers concerns about editorial content in newspapers and magazines and the conduct of journalist
5. It runs a low cost compulsory arbitration scheme to settle legal disputes.
6. Ipso works with charities and NGOs to improve press standards.
7. It makes sure member newspapers and magazines follow editors code.
According to Barnett (2016), IPSO was regarded as “The toughest regulator in the western world”. The first chairman of IPSO Sir Alan Moses message to the industry was “Government the powers that want to goad you, prod you like sheep into doing what they want, the essence of successful regulation I believe is that you choose to do, not something into which you are driven”.
His speech sounded like he was not going to be tough on the industry, his message was a confirmation that IPSO was following the same foot step as its predecessor PCC. It was funded by the newspaper industry, Frost (2015) argued its failure to meet the standard set down by Leveson meaning it is likely to meet the same fate and be subject to the same criticism as the PCC. Some have already suggested IPSO is a “total failure” (Toynbee 2015).
We can see that IPSOs interest were now aligned with that of its paymasters just like PCC.
In 2016, Impress was set up as an alternative IPSO. Impress regulates a small amount of outlet but is regarded as the only press regulator recognized by the Press Recognition Panel since October 2016.
Impress was seen as a new regulator who would provide an alternative as it was not funded by powerful media barons, who are only interested in protecting their interest. Barnett (2016)
It was created to work better ,as it was set up by Max Mosely and ran by trustees who must by law operate in the interest of the public. It also has a board who is transparent and unquestionably independent. With all that has been put in place, the code of ethics of journalist s is taken seriously by member publications and able to protect the interest of journalism.
IRISH PRESS REGULATION
In Ireland , the press is regulated by the press council of Ireland (PCI). The office of the press is set up to safeguard and promote professional and ethical standards in Irish new papers and magazines.
The Irish newspaper industry is committed to creating an independent form of press regulation after ongoing debate about standards and ethics.
Ireland has freedom of the press buried in its constitution, “…the right of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions.”
The Government has great influence over the press in Ireland, it’s fundamentally exercised by legislation and the allotting or termination of licences. Press regulation is necessary but press control is not. The ultimate consumption of texts is contaminated by global laws and rules influencing the end product or text before it arrives to the local marketplace.
In the Irish print media industry (they are concerned primarily with newspapers, magazines, journals and documents for general public consumption) there are a number of significant regulatory bodies demonstrating government and ‘self’ regulation.
The major press regulator is the law. As with any civilised country the Media and the Law in Ireland have always been, and perhaps will always be, at loggerheads in debate as to what is permissible and what constitutes defamation and libel.
Patrick Cooney, the then Minister for Justice, said he favoured a self-regulatory press council.
“ It is very noticeable in recent times how frequently newspapers and journals have had to print apologies and corrections following the publication of erroneous material always about individuals or situations which the most elementary piece of research could have avoided. In some instances the checks necessary were so easy and obvious that one wonders was the error deliberate. Standards leading to such practices cry out for supervision by the profession itself ’’( Irish Independent, 1977 p.3)
In an editorial, the Irish Press criticised Cooney’s remarks, accusing the then government of attempting to bring “in the most anti-democratic and potentially crippling restriction on press freedom to be found this side of the Iron Curtain” (Irish Press 1977).
In 1991 the Irish Government appointed the ‘Law Reform Commission’ which recommended draconian changes in Irelands libel laws. A new defamation law came into effect on January 1st, 2010 but Politicians remained concerned about ‘tabloidization’, and lowering of press standards, within the Irish media and propose a “privacy act” which is still in the legislative process.
The NUJ (National Union of Journalists) with its stringent ‘code of ethics’ which includes a ‘conscience clause’ stating, “Journalists have a right to refuse work that would break the letter or spirit of the code.”
In effect this means that a journalist can decide to regulate what he/she reports on without fear. The power of the NUJ as a regulatory body should not be looked down on. In the recent past, the NUJ led a campaign with other activists called ‘Let In The Light’, and forced the Irish Government to introduce a Freedom of Information Act in 1997, “At the time it was considered a major contribution to accountability and openness and was praised internationally by free-speech advocacy groups.”
However, in 2003 the Government amended the Act by limiting what the government was required to disclose.
This was seen by journalists as nothing but an attack on press freedom. The third most important regulatory body is based on British and Swedish models.
The Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman which was set up in 2009 with the dual role of preventing ‘media abuse’ and ‘abuse of media’ expressed as;
“to safeguard and promote professional and ethical standards in Irish newspapers and magazines.” This organisation ensures that the freedom of the press is never abused, and that the public interest is always served; “we have now come to the stage where we should consider the need to protect people against the power of the press.” Such principles of press regulation are globally inspired.
PRESS REGULATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The united states is seen as the world power and the media industries of the states are very instrumental in shaping the opinion and voices occurring worldwide. It’s of essence that we understand how the American media is being regulated by the American government.
Press freedom is legally protected by the first amendment to the united states constitution. It is subject to restriction in the states, Its restrictions such as defamation law, lack of protection or whistle blowers, barriers to information access and constraints caused by public hostility to journalists.
The first amendment permits information, ideas and options without interference, constraint or prosecution by the government. The amendment was adopted 15th December,1791 as one of the 10 commandment that constitutes the bill of rights. It demonstrated that a free and vital press was important enough to protect.
It said
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment or religion or prohibiting the free exercise therefore abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances”
The American constitution guarantees freedom of the press, and still regulates the media. However, the print media is highly unregulated, newspapers and magazines can print whatever they want as long as they do not slander anyone.
According to daily times in the US, it revealed that the U.S federal communications commissions is planning to review the law that hinders media companies from owning news stations and newspapers in the same market.
Introduction
The theory of public sphere as articulated by German philosopher and sociologist Jurgen Habermas( who was a member of the Frankfurt school, a leftish think-tank) His structural transformation of the public sphere, originally written in 1962.
Over time, authors like Nicholas Garnham and James Curran have reviewed Habermas’s concept of public sphere, they have given suggestions, agreed with his concept to some points and have critized his theory of public sphere.
What is public sphere?
The public sphere is seen as a domain of social life where public opinion can be formed. (Habermas, 1991 p.398).
He explained that in the late eighteenth century, a new political class emerged to the fore in Britain and formed a body which was in contrast to the old authorities (the state and the church) which provided opinions for reason based public opinion. Over time, authors like Nicholas Garnham and James Curran have come up with their own
Resources and time were used to create a network of institutions in civil society in which brand new political power, public opinion could all come into existence. All these institutions brought about public sphere. The creation of ne twork of institutions by the bourgeoise within the civil society and the emergence of newspapers provided a means whereby private thoughts can become public.
They were made up of debating societies, newspapers, universities and other learned institutions , museums, libraries, etc. Due to the early rise of capitalism, it gave room for the growth of science, of rational and secular thought, and the decline of religious and feudal obscurantism
Habermas concept of the public sphere
According to Curran(2011) Habermas traces the evolution of the ‘bourgeoise public sphere’ as a public space between the economy and the state in which public opinion was formed and ‘popular’ supervision of government was established from the seventeenth century to the first half of the nineteenth century.
He went on to argue that publics sphere came to be ruled by an expanded start and a set of organized economic interests. The media stopped being an agency of empowerment and rationality and became a place where the public was side-lined. The media was being used to manipulate mass opinion, the public was being conditioned into the role of passive consumers.
A new pattern of power relations was established where by organized interests bargained amongst themselves and continuously excluding the public in these negotiations.
Habermas (1991) pointed out that public sphere was destroyed by the same forces that created it. He explained that the growth of monopoly capitalism gave room for uneven wealth distribution.
The hike in entry price in the newspaper market made it almost impossible to break oligopoly control and unequal access to the control over that sphere.
The increase in newspaper entry also gave room for manipulation of the sphere by the bourgeoise. They made use of advertising and public relations as it grew to control information by public interests and not in the interest of rational discourse.
However, as the state started to take part in the economy, other people in the society who were willing to defend the public sphere from continuous monopoly (private interest) asked the state to materially support with provisions such as: systems of cultural subsidy , libraries , public education etc.
This led to the creation of administrative bureaucracy which slowly made the public sphere an independent entity between the economy and the state.
Public sphere is characterized by the following:
It’s concern was for the public good and not the play of power and not private interests which was its guiding characteristics.
“Principles are the indispensable basis for a free society’’-Habermas (1991).
These principles include:
He further stated that there are institutions in which public reasoning/ opinion is formed and they are: the media of public opinion , elections, publicly accessible courts etc.
Boeder (2005) explained that, Haberman’s theory merits consideration because he carefully conceptualized the nature of the public sphere, viewing it as an achievement of the new bourgeois (capitalist) class in Europe , and an outcome of its successful struggle against feudalism church or state oppression. The shift from public opinion is documented with regard to the public sphere’s pre-eminent institutions, the mass media
However, Haberman’s thesis has been questioned on historical grounds
(Curran 1991, Hohendahl 1979 and Mortesen 1977) argued that he idealized the early period of history , he referred to and particularly the notion of the ‘independent’ nineteenth century press.
Koss ( 1981/1984) pointed out that the early British press was not as independent as Haberman’s described and therefore, one would argue, did not contribute to national discourse to the degree Habermas wanted.
Curran and the public’s sphere
Curran agrees with Habermas theory of public sphere to an extent but believes that the publics sphere should be re-organized.
He believes that the media has a democratic role to play and thus lays a proposal for a new way of organizing the media. He believes that the media and democracy clearly requires a removal van to carry away lumber accumulated through the centuries.
Curran(1991) suggests that the publics that the publics sphere cannot be re-established through a simple process of enlargement by enabling those who were formerly side-lined to participate in it.
“The role of the media in relation to it has to be reconceptualized and reincarnated in a new form.” Curran (1991).
He stressed that the democratic role of the media is to be a public watch dog overseeing the state. The watch dog role is said to override in importance amongst all other functions of the media and to dictate the form in which the media would be organized.
Only by anchoring the media to the media to the free market is it possible to ensure that the media is completely independent from the government. Once the government becomes a subject to public regulation it would loose it’s bite as a watch dog.
Curran (1991) stated that the democratic function of the media system is to acts as an agency of representation.
The media should be organized in such a way that allows social group and organizations express alternative viewpoints. The media should help create conditions in which alternative viewpoints and perspective are brought fully into play.
The core public sphere is the public space where all interests interact with one another seeking to establish agreement or compromise about the direction of society.
“ This implies a break from a poste modernist approach in which the act of media consumption is equated with political activity; the private holding of a political opinion is equated with political activism; and the guiding democratic force in society is deemed to be enlightened public opinion in the public sphere shaped by the interplay and control from above, given the extent to which mass media are currently influenced by dominant elites, even if media audiences display a healthy degree of independence’’ Curran (1991).
Nicholas Garnham and the public sphere
Garnham stated that the concept of public sphere had weaknesses and are easy to point out. He criticises Habermas for conceiving the public sphere in individualistic terms.
“ I do not believe that this is a necessary attribute of it, but it does have certain consequences for how the concept might be used. For Habermas , the public sphere and the concept of rational politics that goes with it , is based upon the assumption , which seems to me wholly unrealistic, that all participants possess full information and engage in all debates ” Garnham(1986).
Garnham agrees that Habermas’s theory of the public sphere is valuable for the following reasons:
Garnham also argued that, Haberman’s concept of public sphere cannot deal with the political problem of meditation, which makes it difficult for those whose role is to handle information gathering which is the public sphere’s raison d’etre , namely , journalists and politicians.
He stated that with these weaknesses, the theory had no place.
“ It is a further result of this weakness that the theory has no place for what I regard as an essential and central organizing institution within the public sphere, the political party.” Garnham (1986)
Suggestions for reform of modern mass media
A new way of organizing the media is called for in order to reclaim the media in the interest of the public.
The general subject of the media requires a removal van to carry away lumber accrued through the centuries. The idea of reform might as well be rejected in favour of better considered alternatives.
Two American political scientists of conservative sympathise have recently argued that any reform of the media, however desirable is unacceptable of it would cost the eradication of the, media as the watch dog of the society which is one of its core functions.
Kelly and Donway (1990) stated that, a press that is licenced , franchised or regulated is subject to political pressures when dealing with issues that affect the interest of those in power.
Stepp(1990) said that “ I cannot envision any kind of content regulation, however indirect” he goes on to say “ that wouldn’t project government into the position of favouring or disfavouring some views and information over others. Even so-called structural steps aimed at opening channels for freer expression would post government in the intolerable role of super gatekeeper”.
The various criticisms are suggestions for rethinking the informative role of the media.
By creating plurality of comprehension, the media should enable individuals to reinterpret their social involvement and question mark the belief and ideas of prevailing cultures.
It should also give room for everyone on the basis of diverse perspectives and sources , to decide for themselves how best to safeguard and advance their welfare collectively and as individuals, to strike a balance in differing definitions of public interest and demands based on fairness.
This would be emancipatory in a few ways:
It would give secondary class increased access to ideas and arguments opposing ideological re-presentations that appropriate their relegation and enable them to explore more fully ways of altering the structure of society to their benefit. Media fictions which enables people enable imaginatively, what it feels like to be other people.
Also, it should be organized in a way that enables different social groups and organizations to express alternative viewpoints. It should assist mutual organizations to mobilize support; aid them register effective protests and develop and promulgate alternatives.
The media should help to create the conditions in which alternative viewpoints and perspectives are brought to full play.
One part of the media system should provide a public arena of debate roughly coterminous with society in which different interests represented.
Provisions of organized channels of groups and social networks should be provided, the functioning of these groups should be facilitated.
The media should assist in the achievement of common objectives of society through agreement or negotiation between conflicting interests.
The media should make available this process by aiding democratic processes for settling conflicts and defining collectively agreed aims. E.g. the media should inform electorates about the political choices involved in elections.
Conclusion
This essay examined the concept of public sphere by Habermas a German philosopher and sociologist. His concept was appreciated and criticized by Authors such as Nicholas Garnham and Curran James who gave their opinions about public sphere.
Habermas saw public sphere as a domain of life whereby opinions can be formed. Libraries, universities became a place for public debates, while publishing enterprises formed a means by which the government was criticised. For Habermas public sphere was to enable everyone participate freely in it.
The modern media gave room for both normal individuals and political actors share ideas.
The idea of public sphere provided by Habermas was not perfect and was criticized which gave room for a reform.
References:
Curran, J. (1991) Rethinking the media as a public sphere: In communication and citizenship, eds. Routledge, London, PP 27-57.
Curran, J. (2011) Media and democracy. Taylor and Francis.
Golding, P., Murdock, G., & Schlesinger, P. (1986) The media and public sphere: Mass communications and the political process. (Eds), University press, Leicester.
Granham, N. Peter, G., Graham,M. & Philip S. (1986) the media and the public sphere: Communication politics.University Press, Leicester.
Habermas, J. Mukerji, C.& Schudson, M.(1991) The public sphere: Rethinking popular culture. University of California Press. Ed.): Berkeley/Los Angeles: pp.398-404
Hohendahl, P,U. (1979). New German critique: Critical theory , public sphere and culture, Jurgen Habermas and his critics. Vol 16, pp.89-118.
Kelly, D. & Donway ,R. (1990).Media democracy: “Liberalism and free speech in Judith” Litchtenberg, (ed) . Newyork: Cambridge University Press.
Koss, S. (1981 and 1984) The rise and fall of the political Press in Britain, vols 1 and 2, Harnish Hamilton, London.
Mortensen, F. (1977) The bourgeois Public sphere: A Danish Mass Communications Research Project. Grenaa, Denmark.
Stepp, C. (1990) Access in a post -responsibility age in Judith Lichtenberg ed. Mass Media and Democracy. New York: Cambridge University press.
Specify if the video is current affairs or human interest related
My final project would be on Dublin bus as an essential means of transportation and how effective it is in Dublin. It is a human-interest story because it concerns transportation, which is a necessary part of human life, we move from one place to another in search of daily bread, to buy things, visit friends and family or even for tourism.
What is the story/report/video idea /who are the main characters/interviewee?
The story would be critically examining the Dublin bus transportation in Ireland, how it operates, if it keeps to time, especially after it was finned in October according to Journal.ie
https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-bus-punctuality-targets-fined-4855476-Oct2019/,for lateness how often buses arrive to pick-up passengers, rate of delay faced by passengers, if the transport rates are somewhat high in their opinions, what passengers love the most and what could be done better.
For this project, I would be interviewing the passengers and asking them questions in relation to the bus transportation, I would also interview Dublin bus drivers to get their opinions I believe this would balance my report. The main characters here are the passengers and the drivers.
How are you going to approach the story or interview?
I’m going to go to several bus stops and take different shots of the environment, passengers waiting for buses, the real time would also be captured, buses, bus drivers doing their jobs, interview passengers waiting and dropping from bus ask their experiences and how effective bus transportation is, I would also capture passengers tapping their leap/student cards for bus fares, passengers dropping. I will capture passengers struggling to get the bus at rush hour and when it’s raining.
How do you plan to film the piece?
I plan to film the piece with my I phone, using filmic pro and editing with Kinemaster. I would make use of Wide angle shots to film the environment and bus in motion, medium shots to capture passengers getting into the bus, extreme/close up shots for Interviews with passengers, b-rolls would be Inserted to give more details of my story, voice overs would also be inserted.
What is the genre of the programme/video piece?
It’s informative in nature.
Indicate the research you have done on the story till date.
So far, I have read articles on transport in Ireland on journal.ie; https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-bus-punctuality-targets-fined-4855476-Oct2019/, and on https://www.dublinpublictransport.ie/dublin-buses https://www.thejournal.ie/public-transport/news/, http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/
Video for presentation URL; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkU6tmdImY&t=216s
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