TMJC GP InfoPack Media & Censorship Package (JC1 2023)

GP @ TMJC Media & Censorship Tampines Meridian Junior College JC1 General Paper 2023 Reading Set 1: Functions of Media & The Evolving Media Landscape Page 3 Reading Set 2: Criticisms of the Mass Media Page 8 Reading Set 3: Social Media Revolution Page 13 Reading Set 4: Censorship Page 21 Glossary of Media Terms Page 29 Relevant Essay Questions Page 31

GP @ TMJC 2 An Overview ● Unit Title: Mass Media & Censorship Inquiry Questions: 1. Are traditional forms of media still relevant today? (TPJC, JC2SA2, 2015) 2. Would you agree that the media hold too much power in the world today? (CJC Prelim, 2012) 3. To what extent has social media really empowered people? (NJC Prelim, 2013) 4. Is regulation of the press desirable? (GCE 2017) 5. How far should a state have the right to censor the media? (MJCJC1PE11Q5) Unit Strand: Mass Media and its Evolving Landscape Unit Strand: Mass Media, and its Impact on Behaviour and Society Unit Strand: Mass Media and its Regulation Conceptual lens: Change and Continuity Conceptual lens: Values and Identity, Power Conceptual lens: Power and Conflict Concept: Change Convergence Diversity Technology Concept: Power of influence Activism Conflict of Interests Legitimacy Concept: Censorship Propaganda Governance Corporate responsibility Topic: Functions of the media Evolving landscape of mass media due to technological advancements Topic: Impacts of social media (positive & negative) Social Norms Social Polarisation Increasing power and influence of media corporation Topic: Democratisation of information, consumption and content creation Responsible engagement with the media Possible Generalisation(s): Possible Generalisation(s): Possible Generalisation(s):

GP @ TMJC 3 Inquiry Questions: 1. Are traditional forms of media still relevant today? (TPJC, JC2SA2, 2015) 2. Would you agree that the media hold too much power in the world today? (CJC Prelim, 2012) At the end of this section, students will be able to: ✓ Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of the media / functions the media play in society. ✓ Explain why the media may shape rather than reflect what people think, believe and do. ✓ Evaluate the impact of technology on traditional forms of media (TV, newspapers, radio, books, films) ✓ Explain how the changing forms of media ( i.e. social media) have transformed the ways information is created, accessed and used. ✓ Evaluate the impacts of new media on individuals, societies and the world at large. ⚫ What is Mass Media? ⚫ Mass communication is characteri sed by the transmission of complex messages to large and diverse audiences, using sophisticated technologies. The m ass media refer s to the institutions that provide such messages: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, fi lm, multimedia websites and social networking platforms. While traditional media tends to feature one -way flow of information from the media entity to the public, concentrating power and influence in the hands of a few, the emergence of new media as a two -way, interactive medium with user -generated con tent has led to a shift in power dynamics towards the consumer. Traditional Media New Media Newspapers, magazines, radio and television Online newspapers, blogs, wikis and social media The rapid adoption of new media today has led to changes in the way people con sume information, as well as how organisations generate content. In order to remain relevant, many traditional media outlets have integrated a portfolio of new media channels to engage their users, with some choosing to go completely online. Regardless of its form, t he mass media continues to play a significant role in modern society, disseminating information, forming attitudes, and motivating behaviour. The media has the power to present all the reports regarding a specific event, which is the main source of information for millions of people from around the world. The mass media, where it was once a separate and distinct channel of propaganda, is now an active and integrated influence within our everyday lives. Functions of the Media The m edia not only reflects societal concerns, as a mirror of society, but can take on multiple roles, sometimes simultaneously. Below is a list of its other functions. 1. Inform: To transmit or communicate a message or an idea. Information provided by mass media can be opinionated, objective, subjective, primary and secondary. This is most evident in public service announcements by the government, commercials, advertising etc. 2. Educate: To teach, make aware or extol certain areas of studies, knowledge or values and beliefs. This is most pronounced in media like documentaries, interviews, feature stories etc. 3. Entertain: To amuse audiences and provide an avenu e for enjoyment and relaxation. There is an increasingly larger portion of media dedicated to this, thanks to on-demand platforms. 4. Watchdog: Known as the 4th e state, to act as a check and balance against the government and also a feedback channel from the people to the government. 5. Forum for public debate: Applicable largely to social media, to act as an avenue for people to discuss issues almost without limitation. “Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.” - Jim Morrison Reading Set 1

GP @ TMJC 4 In this digital age of mobile and social distribution, we are witnessing dramatic changes in the media landscape, especially with massive user -generated content and changing content consumption patterns. With the rise of powerful new media technology, is there still a place for traditional media, such as radio and newspapers? Read the next few articles to find out more. The Evolving Media Landscape It used to be that publishing was focused on owning and controlling content. Print publications would maintain a large staff and license a certain amount of output from contributors. Broadcasters would produce or procure programming and so on. However, with the arrival of new media, t raditional old school media outlets like TV, radio and print had to expand to include digital extensions in order to keep some of their audience engaged. In a ddition, traditional reports and news personalities are increasingly being replaced by influencers, regular people or subject matter experts. Article 1: What Is Media In The Digital Age? By Nelson Granados I 3 Oct 2016 I Forbes The role of traditional media has changed dramatically in the age of the internet -driven, 24-hour news cycle and the proliferation of social media. Today, the term "media" is used and abused, and it can mean different things to different people. To paint a picture of the new media landscape, I talked to my colleague at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Melva Benoit, executive professor of digital media and entertainment. Benoit has over two decades of television and media experience as a research executive at FOX Broadcasting, NBCU, MTV Networks, Disney/ABC TV Networks and Turner Broadcasting. Benoit starts with her own view of the term’s evolution: “While earning my communications degree, I was taught that media is communicating via television, print, and radio. The idea or content could be in the form of video, print, or audio and it could be fiction or non -fiction. It could be professionally produced or non -professional (think public access). I think that definition still applies to the term media in the digital age, but it has been expanded to include online and social media.” Two key developments are: 1. The internet enables publication of massive user-generated content, and 2. Social media enables one -to-one communication, as oppos