Weakest Link. The first section of this paper clarifies the structure of Weakest Link and attempts to analyse the reasons why it has been so popular by tracing the history and development of the quiz/game show back to its roots, and the second section add

Weakest Link Airdates: from 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri) on BBC2 Host: Anne Robinson A Drama of Life -- Zoom in on 'Weakest Link' Introduction Early quiz or game television shows were originally adapted from similar programmes on broadcast radio. Since the emergence of 'big money' television quiz shows in the 1950s, quiz/game shows have been trapped in a 'copycat' phase, made on low budgets and with humdrum and insipid contents. The 'quiz' show presents the same game, played and replayed, frenetically day after day with each game a self contained unit crowned by climactic success or failure' (Kaplan, 1983:86). However, following the unexpected worldwide success of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (ITV1, 1998-, UK) and Weakest Link (BBC2, 2000-, UK), (devised by Fintan Coyle and Cathy Dunning) prompted a rejuvenation of quiz/game shows on an international scale again (these programmes now circulate in over 50 countries). The first section of this paper clarifies the structure of Weakest Link and attempts to analyse the reasons why it has been so popular by tracing the history and development of the quiz/game show back to its roots, and the second section addresses the issue of whether the context of the quiz/game show 'sanctions' or 'neutralizes' the 'impoliteness'[1] focusing on Weakest Link's textual and ideological form. Weakest Link[2] is a reality-based quiz/game

  • Word count: 3076
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Violence and the Media

Violence and the Media In Manteca, California, two young boys murdered a disabled man by violently kicking, stabbing, beating, and finally choking him. When being questioned by the police as to why the boys poured salt in the dying mans wounds, one of the boys responded, "Oh I don't know. I just seen it on TV" (Levine 71). In today's society, these situations are becoming extremely common. Violence on television is overwhelming, and the negative affect it has on viewers is frightening. The overall pattern of research findings indicates a positive relationship between television violence and aggressive behavior. An article from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry states that "the majority of evidence from more than 3,000 research studies over two decades shows that the violence portrayed on television influences the attitudes and behavior of children who watch it" ("Children and TV Violence"). It has become evident that violence glamorized on television causes viewers to learn aggressive behavior. According to Leonard Eron, an expert authority on media, "There can no longer be any doubt that heavy exposure to televised violence is one of the causes of aggressive behavior, crime, and violence in society" (Levine 4). There are a variety of reasons one might expect viewers to learn aggressive behavior from the media. The abundance of violent acts on

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Compare and contrast two different 'reality TV' shows and their associated web sites, discuss how they provide a platform for avenues of communication, marketing and interactivity. How are the audiences crafted and understood for each of these shows?

Compare and contrast two different 'reality TV' shows and their associated web sites, discuss how they provide a platform for avenues of communication, marketing and interactivity. How are the audiences crafted and understood for each of these shows? Provide specific examples. Today, it seems you can't turn on the television without coming across reality programming. Shows such as Big Brother, The Amazing Race, Average Joe, The Bachelor, Wife Swap, What Not To Wear, The Apprentice and Survivor have become increasing popular with both the American and Australian television audiences (Teven, 2004). Not so long ago, reality TV was ridiculed for being the cheap and cheesy new kid on the programming block. Now, reality TV accounts for the most successful new television shows (USATODAY.com, 2004). As a result of this increased popularity, the industry has been forced to take this genre seriously. This popularity is reason enough to give reality TV the critical attention that it so richly deserves (Mhando, 2002). European television programmers were the first to develop the concept of reality television. Then the American networks purchased some of these formats and brought them back to the United States. They also created some original formats themselves. Since the 1990's, reality TV has become a major phenomenon with most major networks screening some form of realty programming

  • Word count: 2724
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Construct a defence for Public service broadcasting based on its role in Reflecting national identity. What Drawbacks does this approach to public service broadcasting have?

Nomalanga M. siwela Ba (hons) advertising and media production Sound and moving image: context Mea 092 Unit co-ordinator: dean Lockwood Submission date: 19 December 2003 Question: CONSTRUCT A DEFENCE FOR Public service broadcasting based on its role in Reflecting national identity. What Drawbacks does this approach to public service broadcasting have ? In the British context, Public service broadcasting (PSB) has and still determines a standard definition of Broadcasting as a system since the establishing of the BBC in 1927, which grew out of recommendations of the Crawford committee. Since then broadcasting has become an important medium for the freedom of expression whether receiving or delivering it. PSB has historically sought to ensure that its signals are available to all and it is self-evident to the Public broadcasting community that no one should be disenfranchised by distance or geographical location. As a result bringing the nation into a sense of singular existence and prioritising the function of national identity in broadcasting. PSB is a service provided to inform, educate and entertain its audience or public. These functions were initially to be developed in British broadcasting under the first director general of the BBC- Lord Reith, who incidentally viewed the entertainment aspect of the service as being the least in terms of priority. The

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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The Effects of Public, Private, and Hybrid Systems of Broadcasting on Democratic Debate

The Effects of Public, Private, and Hybrid Systems of Broadcasting on Democratic Debate The emergence of broadcasting in the early 1900's resulted in the development of different broadcasting systems throughout the world (Nesbitt-Larking 58). Britain and the US, two democratic nations with many shared cultural, economic, and political values, quickly developed remarkably dissimilar systems of broadcasting which became the models used by other countries as they struggled to develop their own systems (Emery 5). Most eventually followed the British model, opting for public broadcasting systems (Emery 7). Private systems similar to the US model thrived in others (Emery 7). A few, including Canada, developed hybrid broadcasting systems, characterized by a relatively equal combination of public and private elements (Emery 8). In addition to the launch of different broadcasting systems, the early days of broadcasting also marked the beginning of an enduring debate about the potential of these different systems to strengthen democracy and foster democratic debate in a democratic society (Browne 9). This debate is a complicated one, offering no easy answers, and no clear path to a superior democracy (Browne 10). Two viewpoints have typically been represented in this debate. They agree that an important function of broadcasting should be to nurture democracy and that a

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  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Do the benefits of Public Service Broadcasting justify the price tag?

Kimberley Thomson Media Policy In the recent report by the Scottish Broadcasting Commission, the chair Blair Jenkins said "Broadcasting is important to the economic, cultural and democratic health of the nation. At its best, it has a unique power and impact which can enrich our imagination and our thinking, and our space to share, discuss and challenge as a society." But ITV has also recently said that the costs of such Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) outweigh the benefits and have asked Ofcom to reduce their PSB commitments in areas such as local news and current affairs. Do you think that the benefits of Public Service Broadcasting justify the price tag? Module Number: LAMC207 Module Leader: Catriona Miller Matriculation Number: 200707989 In the UK, Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is put into service by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which was founded in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, later becoming the corporation in 1927. The BBC's content is regulated by the BBC Trust, although some output is regulated in addition by the Office of Communications (Ofcom): the UK's independent regulatory authority for broadcasting. For the BBC, this means of regulating is the case for certain output which is broadcast on its services in the UK (www.ofcom.org.uk). However, with such a service comes a price: the licence fee- the BBC's means of

  • Word count: 2629
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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violence in schools

Violence in schools Table Of Contents: .1 Origin of the report 1.2 Problem and purpose 3 1.3 History and background 3 1.4 Sources and methods 3 2.0 Causes 2.1 Family factors 4 2.1.1 Harsh parental discipline 4 2.1.2 Child abuse 4/5 2.2 Community factors 5 2.2.1 Bullying 5 2.2.2 Gangs in schools 6 2.3 Community factors 6 2.3.1 Media 6 2.3.2 Drugs and alcohol use 7 3.0 Effects 3.1 Effects of violence on students 3.1.1 Perpetrators' perspective 7/8 3.1.2 Victims perspective 9 3.2 Effects of violence on parents 3.2.1 Perpetrators' parents 9 3.2.2 Victims' parents 9 3.3 Effects of violence in schools 10 4. Solutions 4.1 Monitored school environment 10 4.3 Counselling programs 10 5. Conclusion 11 6. Recommendations 11 References: 12/13 Violence in schools . Introduction .1 Origin of the report: This Report is submitted to DR. RENEE BLEAU, October 30, 2007, as part of the requirements of the course, (ARTS025). .2 Problem and Purpose: This report is to talk about and explain the causes of violence in schools. It includes the possible ways that affects students, with a finishing paragraph giving a solution on how to solve this problem. .3 History/Background: There are many

  • Word count: 2597
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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Can there be a sociology of popular television?

Can there be a sociology of popular television? 'If the Judaic God had created a world as an advanced industrial civilization from scratch (s)he would probably have spent the seventh day in front of the television set' (McGuigan, 1992: 129) Quotes such as this go some way to illustrating the dominance and intrinsic nature of television in our modern lives. Indeed, Gell's (1986; cited in Morley, 1992) account of Sri Lankan fisherman who, at great cost, purchase television sets to be displayed as status symbols [despite the lack of an electricity supply] show the dominance of the television in our everyday lives. Furniture arrangements and seating orientations in households around the world will never again be the same. Our question is whether or not the phenomenon of television can be studied through sociological discipline in order to understand its effects on society. This essay will look at attempts by sociologists to articulate criticisms of the institution of television, and then decide whether or not this constitutes a distinct 'sociology'. Since the first television broadcast by the BBC in 1936, its effects on the nation have been studied. Even before the Second World War, the BBC had built up a reputation as a national institution (Hood & Tobary-Peterssen, 1997: 29). The history of television from the post-war era (broadcasting ceased between 1939 and 1946 for

  • Word count: 2555
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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To Fall or Rise: How Public Service Broadcasting Influence the TV Industry in the UK

To Fall or Rise: How Public Service Broadcasting Influence the TV Industry in the UK Shitong Fang Student ID:1310387 Media Enviroment,Msc Media Management University of Stirling Email:[email protected] Date of Report: Nov 15,2004 Words:2,466 .Introduction Nevertheless, the UK is very successful in the developing of television industry with the concept of Public Service Broadcasting (PSB). Many European countries and other part of world are studying the way the UK TV industry goes. Certainly the ideas of PSB subsequently pursued by many broadcasting systems around the world. Public Service Broadcasting concept is so huge important to the UK television industry in its more than fifty years' history. However, with the development of television technology, the private good concept is introduced as the way of pay TV or more ways of receiving programmes like satellite and cable. The Concept of Public Service Broadcasting is facing challenge, but with its great impact remains on the future development of the UK television industry. This essay introduces the history of the UK television broadcasting briefly, and makes some studies on individual television channels of the UK for different public service broadcasting missions. Clarifying the idea of public service broadcasting and showing the evident that the concept is very important to the UK television industry

  • Word count: 2519
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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This essay aims to address the role of the BBC in the past, at the beginning, and see how this contrasts with its position in our society today.

When you type the three letters 'BBC' into Google, the website description encapsulates the vision of the BBC today: "Breaking news, sport, TV, radio and a whole lot more. The BBC informs, educates and entertains - wherever you are, whatever your age". This mission has a history, it has grown with us, outlived many of us, and has become part of the fabric of a now hugely multicultural British society. So how did it all begin, when did it become so iconic, and does 'it' do what it's supposed to do? This essay aims to address the role of the BBC in the past, at the beginning, and see how this contrasts with its position in our society today. Defining the BBC, it stands for the British Broadcasting Corporation; a public service broadcaster that has allowed the viewing pleasure to millions of British, events around the world since the first television news broadcast in 1936; events like the 1953 coronation, the famine in Ethiopia, to nightly viewings of the horrific and devastating conflict in Vietnam. It is the largest public servicing broadcaster in the world. In an annual review published for the year 2000-2001: "The BBC exists by Royal Charter as an independent broadcaster producing high quality, advertising- free programmes for the full range of licence payers. To safeguard its independence from commercial or political influence, it is funded by the licence fee and

  • Word count: 2507
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Media Studies
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