Post-colonialism

List FIVE films, FIVE TV programmes and FIVE online-only productions that are discussed in the article.

Films

1. Kidulthood
2. Anuvahood
3. Attack the Block
4. Slumdog Millionaire
5. Sunshine

TV programmes

1. Top Boy
2. The Kumars at No. 42
3. Goodness Gracious Me
4. Citizen Khan
5. The Fresh Prince of Bel air

Online only productions

1. Brothers With No Game
2. Venus vs Mars
3. The Ryan Sisters
4. All About The McKenzies
5. Meet the Adebanjos

Watch Destiny Ekaragha's clips above (more of her work is available on her website, including the short film The Park). 

To what extent can we apply Alvarado's and Fanon's theories to these films? Do they reinforce or subvert typical black stereotypes in British film and TV? Refer to specific scenes and events in the clips in answering this question and aim for at least 350 words.
It can be argued that to some extent, Destiny Ekaragha's work both reinforces and subverts typical black stereotypes in British Film and TV. In the short film "Tight Jeans", Fanon's theory can be applied to the group of young males that are shown in the council estate as they are "essentialized". This is evident through the fact of the stereotypical language used by them and the stereotypical clothing such as baggie jeans and hoodies. This creates the ideology that all young black males have the "undifferentiated mass" and generic look to them which is seen consistently in communities and societies. However, it can be argued that the entire concept of the short film "Tight Jeans" aims to challenge the stereotypes of clothing and appearances amongst society of the specific way young people are perceived as they argue about the different types of tight clothing worn by people that are not black. 

Furthermore, it can be argued that both "Gone Too Far" and "Tight Jeans" decivilize black youths by portraying them through specific stereotypes as violent and angry as theorised by Fanon. However, despite the young black population being generalised through stereotypes to be dangerous as theorised by Alvarado, it can also be argued that Ekaragha actually chooses to conform the theory that minorities such as black youths are stereotyped to be humorous and comedic which explains the comedic nature of her work. However, it can be argued that by conforming to these stereotypes of the theory, her work doesn't actually challenge stereotypes present in society but rather actually ends up reinforcing them as audiences continue to see black youths as comedians, sidekicks or rather the "brown clown" as they have to "put on a mask" in order to integrate within society.

Media Magazine conference notes

Tim Clague

How to be Creative - 7 tips from the front line

www.timclague.com

1. Volunteer, get involved
2. The circles, analogy of the creative industry
• Work with others
3. Beach combing
• Look for interesting ideas
• Keep it somewhere
• Play with it
• Don't force it
• Be ready for the BIG idea
• Discuss it
• Use it, practise it, pass it on
4. No one comes from nowhere
• Work hard all the time
• Get better
5. Put everything into everything
• Life is not a meritocracy
• Do your best in even little things
• Never shortcut everything
• Still an element of luck in the industry
6. Don't wait to be invited to the dance
• Beware the Doppler effect
• Let things brew over time
7. Think about the future
• Plan what to do after you finished

Rosie Ball

About

• Creative A Levels
• Game design and animation at university
• Worked with TomSka and Chris Bingham
• Experimented with what could be and the future
• Worked in a game competition
• Roles included branding, pitching to get into the competition
• Coding was difficult, variety of designs were included in original

Creative intern at Disney (2011)

• Met lots of connections at showcase
• Got the internship through connections
• Learnt a lot more about audiences and demographics

Chuckled Fish (2014) Small indie company

• Game design, writing, production, art, business
• Steam Early access was very useful
• Feedback, money, community
• Small team, greater communication and greater levels of involvement
• Helped with launch, building a community, testing

Leon Mann

• Interviewer, sports consultant, film-maker
• Respect the structure, respectfully challenge it
• Dresses down in interviews, makes people feel comfortable
• Sports media has a lack of diversity
• Diversity offers a greater range of perspectives and should be encouraged

About

• Worked at the Euro 2016, PFA TV
• Grew up in Harringay
• Obsessed with sport
• Decent GCSEs, fluffed A Levels
• Spent time in Kenya
• Graduated with Geography degree
• Volunteered at "Kick It Out", got a job there

What he has done

• Broadcast assistant, BBC Sports News
• Sports writer, The Voice newspaper
• Assistant Producer, BBC Sports News
• Six O'clock news feature on Usain Bolt

Advice

• Seek new information
• Be prepared
• Believe in yourself
• Be YOURSELF

Film makers panel

Hana Kesedzic

• Entered into film festivals
• University with an industry focus

Florence Winter Hill

• Industry rather than university
• Spec music videos
• Experimenting with new things
• Full time production assistant
• FutureFilm, BFI, internship

Rebecca Gosnell

• Production at BBC
• Trailer editing at Unviersal Pictures

Nathan Wilkes

• Disney

Ben Squires

• Sound at NFTS, composing
• Freelance, part time

Advice

• There are lots of different paths, find out what is best for you
• Don't accept "meh", do your best
• Love what you do, push yourself
• Shut up and make it

Dr Shakuntala Banaji

Young people, media and democracy

• Young people are generally apathetic
• There is a "crisis of engagement"
• Young people are actively changing the way that they engage
• Social media, new digital media platforms
• Young people often don't trust mainstream news
• London has many engaged young people compared to other parts of England
• Increasing control of all media by a few corporations, narrows the agenda (Paretto's Law)
• Economic crisis, vicious spending cuts
• Media narratives of scarcity
• Social, cultural, economic and institutional racism
• Right wing media rhetoric
• Educational exclusion, social fragmentation of classes

How does anyone become political?

Sites of socialisation of youth in politics

• Family
• Media
• School

Communication and styles

• Families and schools have a non tolerant standpoint of divergent viewpoints
• Encourage a wide range of media consumption and greater amount of critical debate

Issues found in engaging youth

• Jobs
• Social discrimination
• Terrorism
• Students rights
• Media stereotyping
• Employment and economic systems
• Voting age
• Engaged in community work

Are young people equally included?

• Youth voice
• Common chat, young people used for consultation
• Not for decision making

Most socio-economically deprived are often "too hard to reach"

One size of politics doesn't fit young people yet its what the government is giving

• Lack of trust in media
• Results in weaker citizenship
• Media supports power of elites
• Negative stereotypes of young people

UK mainstream media offer young people a very limited range of ideological perceptions (Goffman)

• 80% of news is negative of young people
• Criminals
• Victims
• Incapable
• Small number of news is positive
• Internet is great for young people
• But neglects youth participation
• Lack of starting campaigns
• 20% of young people get their news online
• Simple messages travel better than complex
• "Make Britain Great Again"
• Racist and right wing ideologies surface
• Most adults believe they are helping democratic participation
• Yet don't help or focus on democratic participation of young people
• Youth participation is only wanted when it is good for the government
• Civil disobedience is not
• Challenging a government is not wanted and frowned upon
• Young people can be influenced by right wing ideologies and views a lot easier

Tony Garnett

• Films about ordinary citizens
• Complexity, faults
• Reflect people back to themselves
• Reflects a truth, on a personal level
• Political, social realism
• Highly controversial
• Challenging society
• "For a fact to have meaning, it must be contextualised"
• Creating of narrative
• Cultural, political and religion beliefs are engrossed in everyday life
• Unknowingly creates bias
• Conscious or unconscious prejudice
• What is good news to some is enraging or insulting to others
• Always be sceptical. Ask WHY?
• News is not objective
• Trying to get audiences to take sides
• Humans live for stories
• Helps to make sense of ourselves and of our world through narratives
• Even religion is meta narrative
• Digital revolution
• Social media offers "post truth"
• Increase in spread of lies
• Politicians are normally subtle but no longer
• Internet is full of "Trumps"
• Make sure to check facts
• Double check them
• "The market is a religious doctrine"
• News and films are commodities
• Artists are no longer as creative
• Creativity is disciplined
• Compromise with self vision and management
• Smuggled his own creativity through demand of specific genre
• "Trojan drama"
• Acknowledge your creativity
• Nurture it
• "There's never been anyone like you in the world and there never will be"

25/01/17 - Snapchat cracks down on risque images and fake news

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/24/snapchat-cracks-down-on-soft-porn-and-fake-news

The article talks about the greater increase in security and guidelines being tightened on the photo/video sharing based social media app called Snapchat. The company aims to help control the illicit content being posted by editorial partners in hopes of limiting fake and contentless news. Furthermore they hope to decrease the amount of clickbait articles being made by the likes of Daily Mail which will also help to increase the quality of content being posted through their application. Finally, the company hopes to change the way illicit content is posted to different age groups essentially "age-gating" the content being posted.

• Snapchat is tightening up its guidelines for publishers on its Discover service
• The changes are intended to “empower our editorial partners to do their part to keep Snapchat an informative, factual and safe environment for everyone”
• The app bars children from under 13 from making accounts, but allows 13- to 17-year-olds on the service
• The Daily Mail, for instance, has attracted user complaints for frequently posting semi-nude images as its “cover” on the service.
• In July 2016, Snapchat faced a lawsuit over sexualised Discover stories. It was eventually settled out of court.
• Snap also plans to give publishers a tool in February that will allow them to age-gate content, presenting different stories to users over and under 18

I personally think it is interesting and good that the company is focusing on this subject. The application is used by pretty much all young people in this era, and essentially it can be argued that the majority of the users of Snapchat are young people. It is crucial for the company to control and limit the way these news institutions are communicating with the young audiences as Snapchat is the gateway for many institutions to try and reach out to the younger demographics. However, it can be argued that this idea of "age-gating" can be severely misused as it invokes a sense of ageism, as it should not be abused.

25/01/17 - Panel debate on what can, or should, be done about fake news

https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2017/jan/23/panel-debate-on-what-can-or-should-be-done-about-fake-news

The article focuses on the fact that a panel discussion was held on the 25th of January to discuss the rise of fake news and what can be done in order to prevent fake news from getting out of hand. The panel will be attended by Rory Cellan-Jones who has presented a number of Radio 4 documentaries on technology such as The Force of Google, an investigation into the power of its search algorithm. It will also be attended by Amelia Tait who is the  technology and digital culture writer at the New Statesman and focuses a lot on how social media has revolutionised the world.

• Panel discussion at the Frontline Club: Tackling Fake News
• Journalists working for traditional media outlets now view it as part of their task to debunk the erroneous reports which circulate online.
• The speakers include Rory Cellan-Jones, Amelia Tait and Madhumita Murgia
• Wednesday, 25 January, at the Frontline Club in Norfolk Place

I think it is good that some experts are finally starting to weigh in their theories and opinions on the matter of fake news. This is something that should not be left unheard as the experts know thoroughly a lot better about this situation and can offer valuable information and expertise. It is now up to the politicians in power whether or not the expertise will go unheard or not.

January assessment: Learner response

37/48 - B

WWW: Good range of examples and theoretical references
EBI: Include specific reference to Marxism/hegemony and apply it to every NDM essay debate. Add an extra paragraph doing this.

• A sophisticated and comprehensive essay, showing very good critical autonomy. - Level 4
• Sophisticated and detailed understanding of new and digital media. - Level 4
• A sharp focus on the question throughout. - Level 4
• Sophisticated application of a wide range of media debates, issues and theories and wider contexts. - Level 4
• A comprehensive individual case study, with a wide range of detailed examples. - Level 3. This needs to be improved by using a lot more of New Digital Media articles relating to the news industry and the news topic.
• Well structured, articulate and engaged. - Level 4

Some of the points that I brought up in my essay were the ones the examiners were looking for such as:

• Discussed the impact new and digital media has had on enabling audiences to participate, with detailed examples to support this
• Addressed the harder concept of democracy
• Discuss the changing role of audiences and producers. Debated the arguments for and against.
• Debated the obstacles to equal participation and democracy, for example the digital divide in the UK and globally, the power and control of media organisations. 
• Debated whether this was increasing or decreasing with developments in new and digital media.

However, in order to improve my mark and get the A, I could have included case studies that were a lot more specific to news or the news industry, rather than the general points as well.

Three things that I can take away  from the exemplar A grade essays and use in my own essays are:

• Statistical evidence and analysis
• Link to news industry as a whole rather than general points
• Current affairs, up to date research and case studies

Over the past few decades, the rapid development and expansion rate of technology has led to a rise in new and digital media, considerably so at the turn of the 21st century. As once said "the internet is a powerful tool" and rightfully so as it has had many impacts on society especially in ways where it has affected democratic ideologies across the globe. This is especially evident as through the increase in new digital media it is argued that the world is ever interconnected and is more of a "global village" as stated by McLuhan. This essay will aim to explore the ways that new and digital media has impacted society in terms of whether or not these new technologies are promoting democratic ideologies amongst society or not.

This ideology of a democratic and empowered audience is also due to the increase in citizen journalism as the rise in social media news has mean more and more audiences are the ones creating the news that they consume. This means that the audiences now have power over what they consume and how they consume it which promotes greater democratic ideologies as the internet has essentially given power to the people. However it can be argued that this might be actually be a greater crutch for society as a fake news has become a lot more prominent in the last year especially in the past few months. With two incredibly important elections, US Preseidential and the EU Referendum, that seemingly resulted in shocking results there is little evidence to suggest that there isn't an issue with fake news. Most importantly Reddit CEO, Steve Huffman admitted that he edited/deleted comments that he didn't agree with on the largest Trump supporting community present on Reddit to make it seem like that those community members were attacking moderators. It could therefore be argued that new and didigtal media do not promote democratic ideologies as well as many people would claim and that the power still resides in the minority producers rather than the majority consumers. Furthermore this idea is also evident as Matt Hancock, the minister of state for digital and culture policy, has asked UK newspaper industry representatives to join round-table discussions about the issue. This could suggest that only people in positions of power can actually create any type of movement or work against the epidemic of fake news rather than society deciding through democracy that fake news is not for them.

18/01/17 - UK media chiefs called in by minister for talks on fake news

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/13/uk-media-chiefs-called-in-by-minister-for-talks-on-fake-news

The article talks about the fact that UK media chiefs and CEOs are calling for newspaper industries representatives to sit down and talk about the pressing problems of fake news and to discuss a solution. This is in direct reflection to the works of Facebook, and how they have been working closely and creating stronger ties with newspaper institutions to battle the rise in fake news and encourage the legitimacy of sources for various news articles.

• Matt Hancock, the minister of state for digital and culture policy, has asked UK newspaper industry representatives to join round-table discussions about the issue.
• The News Media Association has previously warned ministers that Google and Facebook were unfairly making money out of journalism produced by its members.
• Labour has also established its own inquiry into the changing ways that news is consumed and shared online, as well as the practical, political and ethical issues raised by fake news.

I personally think it is both interesting and good for society as a whole that the people in power are finally realising how much of a problem fake news is causing for society. However, it is interesting to note how they have finally realised this issue and are only just trying to deal with the issue, possibly due to the fact that fake news has had a negative impact on the legitimacy of many news institutions and therefore would result in them making less money. It can also be seen as a way for news institutions to grab some kind of opportunity to regulate the internet and social media news which have so largely been a reason why there has been a decline in traditional news institutions.

18/01/17 - BBC sets up team to debunk fake news

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/12/bbc-sets-up-team-to-debunk-fake-news

The article focuses on the BBC assembling a team that will be working on checking facts and will be debunking misleading or fake news. The BBC plans to create a resource called "Reality Check"  that they hope will become permanent, and will be created and consistently updated by a dedicated team targeting false stories or facts being shared widely on social media. Furthermore, the major news institute plans to work alongside Facebook that are already working on targeting and fighting fake news that can now be easily flagged on the social media platform.

• The BBC is to assemble a team to fact check and debunk deliberately misleading and false stories masquerading as real news.
• “The BBC can’t edit the internet, but we won’t stand aside either,” Harding said. 
• “We are working with Facebook, in particular, to see how we can be most effective."
• BBC creating an “intelligence unit” within the World Service, which has received £290m to expand its reach into new languages

Personally, I think its great that a major institution such as the BBC are focusing on the worryingly increase in fake news that have been affecting major current affairs events such as the EU referendum or the US presidential election. It is especially good for society as there is a sense of gatekeeping on the internet, but not from institutes with their own personal agendas but from an institute such as the BBC which strives be neutral and aims to inform the masses rather than exploit them.

Identities and the Media: Reading the riots

How did the language and selection of images in the coverage create a particular representation of young people?

The language and specific selection of images used in the coverage of the London riots created a very particular negative representation of young people. These descriptions ranged from "orgy of brutality" to "young thugs with fire in their eyes and nothing but destruction on their mind". This essentially helped to reinforce a negative stereotype of anarchic teenagers.

Why does David Buckingham mention Owen Jones and his work Chavs: the demonisation of the working class?

David Buckingham talks about Owen Jones' work in reference to the idea of elitism and the ideologies based around classism that is arguably present in modern society. Media coverage in terms of the London riots saw the demoralisation and negative representation of the working class. Furthermore these working class and students were shown quite significantly to be a threat to society and therefore created a sense of moral panic and hegemony in society as perceived by the middle or upper class.

What is the typical representation of young people – and teenage boys in particular? What did the 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey find?

The 2005 IPSOS/MORI survey states '40% of newspaper articles featuring young people focused on violence, crime or anti-social behaviour; and that 71% could be described as having a negative tone.' Furthermore there is a typical negative representation of young people in particular teenage boys as they are seen to be very aggressive or lazy and susceptible to gang violence.

How can Stanley Cohen’s work on Moral Panic be linked to the coverage of the riots?
What elements of the media and popular culture were blamed for the riots?

Stanley Cohen's theory of Moral Panic can easily be linked with the coverage of the riots as the coverage presented the ideas that the young people and the working class involved were an apparent threat to the workings of society and the establishment. This would essentially create a sense of fear and panic as it would encourage readers to feel as if they are in danger from the youth and the working class.

How was social media blamed for the riots? What was interesting about the discussion of social media when compared to the Arab Spring in 2011?

Essentially social media was blamed to be a huge factor in the result of the riots. It was argued that social media platforms such as Blackberry and Facebook had a huge impact and was one of the main platform of communication amongst young people in order to co-ordinate the riots. However, in the case of the Arab Spring in 2011, the use of Facebook as a way to co-ordinate the rebellion was a huge factor but was not reported in a negative manner through the media coverage possibly due to the fact that the rebellion had not impacted the western establishment negatively whereas the London riots did.

The riots generated a huge amount of comment and opinion - both in mainstream and social media. How can the two-step flow theory be linked to the coverage of the riots? 

The two-step flow theory can be linked into the coverage of the riots through the fact that the influence of opinion leaders in the media was highly sought after by press and also by members of society as the events occurred. These opinion leaders consisted heavily of politicians, journalists, and experts that sought to give reasoning behind the London riots to the audiences through the process of analysis. However it can be argued that there was such a huge state of urgency to find out what was going on in the form of information, these groups of "experts" used the platform to voice their own personal opinions or agendas to the masses with the only intention of creating more moral panic and perpetuating stereotypes of the working class or the youth.

Alternatively, how might media scholars like Henry Jenkins view the 'tsunami' of blogs, forums and social media comments? Do you agree that this shows the democratisation of the media?

Media scholars like Henry Jenkins would essentially view the 'tsunami' of blogs, forums and social media comments as a sign that the social media is allowing the increase of public voice and opinions being heard a lot more rather than the audience simply being a passive reader. Personally, I agree with this idea that it creates a sense of democratisation as it allows for a greater range of opinions being presented in society, however it can be argued that this leaves room for an increase in ignorant or overtly racist opinions surfacing.

What were the right-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The right wing had a general response that focused on the young people themselves. Their views were based on the ideas that the welfare system of benefits in the UK has essentially created a young generation that has "no moral compass" as they have spent their entire life relying on the state. This can therefore mean that the right wing view the younger generation as people that leech off the system and are only creating more problems.

What were the left-wing responses to the causes of the riots?

The left wing had a general response of being a bit more critical about society as a whole. They focused on the ideas that there has been a great inequality amongst classes in society and something like a riot was inevitable due to the rapid decline in the equality. It can be argued that the areas where poverty was already present was where the riots were a huge impact and these were areas where there had also been a huge amount of cuts made to youth services.

What are your OWN views on the main causes of the riots?

I personally believe that there is a mix of many reasons that led to the riots. It is unfair to generalise all young people as angry and aggressive towards the system, but they have a right to be. Young people and the working class are marginalised on a daily basis and therefore it is completely understandable for them to lash out in aggression. But it is also not right to say that all young people and working class are like this, you did not see every single student in the country out rioting, many helped to restore community as worked with the police to help set things right. I personally think that inequality and the government constantly marginalising key members of local communities had a huge impact in initiating the riots and therefore resulted in many members of group feeling like they are misrepresented.

How can capitalism be blamed for the riots? What media theory (from our new/digital media unit) can this be linked to?

Capitalism can essentially be blamed for the riots as the majority of nation's wealth, influence and, power lies in the minority of society and therefore it creates this false sense of democracy which Marxism argues against. Bankers and politicians have reached a point where they have the most influence in society and are generally seen to be forwarding their own agenda or personal needs.

Were people involved in the riots given a voice in the media to explain their participation?

It  was actually very clear that those involved in the riots weren't really given a voice or any type of coverage that involved explaining their motives for the riots, however the views of historians and professors and politicians like David Starkey or Theresa May were very vocal and consistently in the media coverage.

In the Guardian website's investigation into the causes of the riots, they did interview rioters themselves. Read this Guardian article from their Reading the Riots academic research project - what causes are outlined by those involved in the disturbances?

The causes outlined in the article are:

• There was the chance for rioters to get "free stuff" in the midst of the chaos
• Unemployment or poverty
• The feeling that people were experiencing unfair treatment whilst other groups were not
• Possibly due to the cuts of the education maintenance allowance

What is your own opinion on the riots? Do you have sympathy with those involved or do you believe strong prison sentences are the right approach to prevent such events happening in future?

I personally do not have sympathy for those involved due to the fact that I do not believe in violence being the answer to getting governments to respond to the needs of the people, it has never worked in the past and will never work in the future. However, I do not believe in giving out strong prison sentences as it just shows that the government does not understand its people and therefore will only create more tension. I believe the right approach to preventing such events from happening in the future will involve greater communication and cohesion between the government and its people. The government needs to realise that its people holds the power as they are all elected by the people and to prevent such events they need to listen to the needs of the masses and not their own personal needs.

11/01/17 - What hope for journalism when an editor resigns after just two weeks?

https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2017/jan/09/what-hope-for-journalism-when-an-editor-resigns-after-just-two-weeks

The article focuses on how Lucy Pearce who took over for Mike Gilson as editor of The Brighton Argus resigned just after two weeks. She was reputed to be the youngest person ever to get the job and the Argus' only female editor. However, after just two weeks a better job offer came along where she would work in Public Relations.

• The Brighton Argus barely sells 10,000 copies nowadays
• "It has long been common for veteran journalists to switch from poacher to gamekeeper," he was astonished that "a relative newcomer should make such a move."
• "It’s what you do at the end of your journalistic career," he remarked, "not at the beginning."
• "Journalism is now playing second fiddle to PR."

Personally, I think this is an interesting story, specifically if you consider the different points that Greenslade brings about the lack of influence that journalists have now a days and also the fact that many PR jobs offer a better financial stability in terms of pay which leads to a decrease in staff turnover. However, I think it should be noted that in life, better offers and opportunities come in all shape and sizes this is inevitable and to say that this has a direct impact on journalism is unfair. I do agree that journalism no longer has the same influence it once had on society but that does not have to do with how other jobs offer better pay rises. I personally believe that the integrity of journalism as a profession needs to be worked upon, as that is declining at a much more steeper rate than many would claim.

11/01/17 - Donald Trump hits back at 'Hillary lover' Meryl Streep after Golden Globes speech

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/08/meryl-streep-golden-globes-speech-donald-trump

The article focuses on how Meryl Streep used her Golden Globes award acceptance speech in order to talk about the fact that Donald Trump is known for creating violent and attacking behaviour, especially in the case of when he publicly mocked a disabled reporter and yet was able to win the election to become the President Elect. One of the most significant things about this article is the fact that Streep called on the Press and strongly stated the importance of journalism in society, how she believes the Press should be supported regularly by people to hold the powerful to account.

• “Disrespect invites disrespect, violence invites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose.”
• "She also called on the press to hold the powerful to account"

Personally, I think this is a very good case of high profile celebrities using their influence and the fact that people actually listen to them to make a difference by stating something that needs to be changed. Especially considering in a world right now where it can be argued that journalists no longer have the power to hold the powerful like Donald Trump to account, it is very important high profile people with an influence reinforce this belief over and over again for the good of society.

04/01/17 - Can Donald Trump save Twitter?

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/05/can-donald-trump-save-twitter

The article talks about the new President Elect Donald Trump's Twitter account. It has recently been in the eye of the media as Trump has been using the Twitter account as a way to put across his thoughts and perspectives on certain topics and subjects, and as he has a huge following, especially a celebrity and politician status, he is most likely to be heard by many people across the globe. Twitter itself has received a huge boost in marketing and visitor numbers due to the outrageous and ludicrous things said by Trump that many people want to hear about.

• The celebrity businessman turned president-elect has grown his Twitter audience from about 2 million followers to almost 19 million, 
• “99% of people should just be following news sources and celebrities, but Twitter has never really made that connection for people.”

Personally, I have to agree with what Leigh Drogen, founder and CEO of Estimize says in the article as to how this is Trump's way of controlling the news cycle. The news outlets are always trying their best to report on what Trump is saying and what better way to make sure that the content they write about is what you want it to be? Start writing it yourself and making it publicly available to everyone. I also agree with Drogen in the sense that people need to understand that if this were any other old man rambling on Twitter with the exact same words and thoughts, people would think he's a lunatic, but the reason why they don't think Trump is crazy is due to the fact that they think what he says he will put into place. Twitter is not his way of making his policies known to everyone, its his way of stirring the pot and creating controversies but at the same time keeping the news cycles in control of everything he says.

04/01/17 - Film and TV ​streaming and downloads overtake DVD sales for first time

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/05/film-and-tv-streaming-and-downloads-overtake-dvd-sales-for-first-time-netflix-amazon-uk

The article focuses on the recent huge decline in physical DVD sales and as such a huge increase in streaming, digital sales. Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon have seen a huge boost in subscription numbers. The music, video and games industry has recently seen a greater investment in its digital and on demand services as it shows that the way people consume digital media is rapidly evolving.

• The rise in popularity of paying for TV content helped power total UK revenue from music, TV shows, films and video games to a record £6.3bn last year.
• Total revenues from digital video – which includes services such as Apple’s iTunes as well as Sky’s store and Now TV – surged almost 23% to £1.3bn last year.
• The digital boost came as high street sales of DVDs and Blu-ray discs fell 17% to £894m.
• The once mighty physical rental market fell 21% to just £49m.

Personally, I think this is evidently the start of the fall of the Television industry. Significantly, people no longer want to have to wait a whole week for a new episode and would much rather partake in this social culture of binge watching. People now a days need to have what they want immediately, which can be argued is a bad thing as it makes society greedy in a way. This is something that I also experience personally in terms of a Netflix show, that although it was streaming online, new episodes were being released once a week and therefore put me off from watching the show.