Reflection

Source: en.wikipedia.org

After learning about Issues in Publication and design, I’ve gained more knowledge and better understanding on the concepts and theories that are related to this subject. I’ve also learnt that document design is essential in producing an effective document. Document designers also plays an important role in developing a document that can convey messages to the audiences. This also applies to Shriver (1997) theory which stated that  a document design layout requires graphical elements in order to link cultural boundaries so that the delivery is more effective to readers. I’ve also gain a wholesome of experience in designing different genre of documents such as factsheet, magazine spread and video log in order to reach to different audiences, purpose and context based on a theme that is given entitled ‘Personal Safety’.

On the other hand, I’ve also learnt there are various types of blog that are generally used in the blogging phenomenon. Blog also can be classified into different types of blog that are :  Politic blog, Sports Blog, Entertainment Blog and many more. Besides that, a blogger also plays an important part in writing a credible post to attract and gain more readers.

As a whole, Issues in Publication and Design is an interesting and fun subject to learn. It has given me a different perspective and a handful of knowledge on how to produce a good document layout, to express credible opinion as a blogger and have better understanding on the new media ecosystem.

Reference

Shriver, K. A., 1997, “Dynamics in Document Design: Creating Text for Readers”, Wiley Computer Publishing, (p. 361 – p. 441). Viewed: 8th November 2012

MEDIA ISSUE #4: ‘The Dictator’ Racial stereotypes trouble Arab-Americans.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Frequently, Arabs are depicted as the bad guys in American films. The fact that Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘The dictator’ have emerged the Arab-American is inevitable. Many biased films making jokes of Arab-American as terrorist, thieves and perpetrators of crimes leading to more script writers condemning the Arab-Americans.

From my point of view, this negative stereotyping ridiculing of Arab Americans should be stopped by the relevant authorities in the country concern, in order to project a genuine perspective of the Arab-American, such stereotyping in films should be banned and ensure that some dignity is restored to the Arab-American. Besides that, this case is also similar to case of film production of 'Innocence of Muslim'. According to The Guardian news report (2012) it is reported that Karzai further underlined that the production would fan tension, and called for the film to be banned. He also said that:

"This offensive act has stoked inter-faith enmity and confrontation and badly impacted the peaceful coexistence between human beings,"

                                                                                                            (Karzai, 2012)

 On the other hand, since the acknowledgement of Sacha Baron Cohen’s seemingly joking film award, many film makers the harmful effects of such film depicting the stereotyping of Arab-American should not be done in its entirety especially since the 9/11 incident in American.  Similarly, according to Shaheen (2001),  he also stated that after the 9/11 tragedy, media gurus and self-proclaimed experts attempt to influence the naive American public that terrorism resides in the very nature of Muslim and Arab cultures. Reel Bad Arabs testifies to the fact that the fertile soil for such hateful seeds has been plowed by Hollywood’s negative Arab images.

In conclusion, filmmakers should stop making films that are stereotype towards the Arab-American but to explore more on the culture of the Arab Americans as this would give rise to story-telling and image-making that broadens horizons, promotes understanding, and creates harmony within cultural diversity.

References

Shaheen, J., 2001 ‘Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood vilifies a people’ [online] available at: http://i-epistemology.net/attachments/691_Ajiss19-4%20-%20Book%20Reviews%20-%20Reel%20Bad%20Arabs%20-%20How%20Hollywood%20Vilifies%20a%20People.pdf Viewed: 8^th November 2012

Guardian.co.uk, 2012, ‘Afghan leader condemns film ridiculing Muhammad as insult to all Muslims’ [online] available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/12/afghan-karzai-film-ridiculing-muhammad Viewed: 8th November 2012

MEDIA ISSUE #3: Sexist stereotypes dominate front pages of British newspapers, research finds

Throughout  history, men have been the main source of information out of the confines of the home. There are the providers of food on the tables in homes, so they asserted themselves to be more superior to women in terms of knowledge and opportunities. Women’s places should be in the home and looking after children and do household chores.

Therefore, when men are employed in occupations predominantly male centered, they tend to gossip about women both specifically and generally through gender stigma. Thus, stereotyping women on many occasions. As in Journalism, men  will normally place themselves to be more important and play more prominent roles in newspaper. Women will be one of the main topics of discussion and ridicule mainly on the front pages of tabloids. According to (theukrc.org, 2012) the article states that journalists are more likely to comment on appearance when writing about women; half the profiles of female scientists mentioned clothing, physique or hairstyle whereas the equivalent was true for only a fifth of the profiles of male scientists.

Source: examiner.com

In addition, certain women in decision-making positions are highlighted only in the front pages of tabloids. In Britain, only the Royal family members especially The Duchess or their siblings are in the main prints with few exceptions. The rest of the news in front pages are dealing with politicians and celebrities of the male species. This is also supported by Mudge in her article. The author stated that women were disproportionately likely to be cited as either victims or celebrities. Hence, the only women regularly be photographed on the front of newspapers in the period were the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa Middleton (2012).

Source: Guardian.com.uk

  

As a conclusion, women in general, are subjected to many stereotypes in our society today. There are not only being stereotyped in newspaper but also in magazine, movies and television. All the stereotyping and sexist feature that are portrayed by the media may have an effect to the society in a long run.

References

Theukrc.org, 2012, ‘Gender, stereotypes and expertise in the press: how newspapers represent male and female scientists’ [online] available at: http://www.theukrc.org/files/useruploads/files/no_5_gender_stereotypes.pdf Viewed: 7th November 2012

Mudge, H., 2012, ‘Research Finds Sexism Dominates British Media’ [online] available at: http://bitchbuzz.com/news/research-finds-sexism-dominates-british-media.html  Viewed 7^th November 2012