Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Releasing the Virginia Tech Tapes
The decision of NBC and other networks to air tapes of the Virginia Tech killer's manifesto have sparked controversy. Did they do the right thing. Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post wrote a column expressing his opinion and many others have expressed their opinions as well. Here is mine:
I think that it’s all right that NBC chose to show clips from the Cho's videos, however there should have been a viewer discretion warning before the video was shown. Some might argue that by showing the clips, the news media is giving the killer attention, which is exactly what he wanted. However, I think the videos offer visual proof of just how crazy this person was and gives us clues as to why he would commit such an atrocity. If people don’t want to watch they can turn it off. It’s the media’s job to report news, and although it was disturbing, this was news. NBC did not show the entire tape, but instead clips that they thought would give the viewer a possible glimpse into the killer’s mind. Another alternative would be to post the videos on the NBC website, so then people could choose to see them if he or she wanted to do so.
I think that it’s all right that NBC chose to show clips from the Cho's videos, however there should have been a viewer discretion warning before the video was shown. Some might argue that by showing the clips, the news media is giving the killer attention, which is exactly what he wanted. However, I think the videos offer visual proof of just how crazy this person was and gives us clues as to why he would commit such an atrocity. If people don’t want to watch they can turn it off. It’s the media’s job to report news, and although it was disturbing, this was news. NBC did not show the entire tape, but instead clips that they thought would give the viewer a possible glimpse into the killer’s mind. Another alternative would be to post the videos on the NBC website, so then people could choose to see them if he or she wanted to do so.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Web 2.0 Application
Google News is a very useful tool if a person wants to find out about a news topic from many different perspectives. When the user first searches for a topic, Google News will list publications that offer stories on the same subject (sometimes there are thousands of different stories). If the user has Google account, it allows he or she to customize the front page of Google News, making it easy to access topics that a person is constantly interested in. It can search for publications in different languages and different countries as well.
The use of Google Alerts is also helpful is the user wants to keep up with the latest news on a subject. A person can tell Google to search for something many times a day and send updates to an e-mail address provided by the user.
One of the most useful features of Google News is the "Advanced News Search." This allows the user to narrow a search to a certain publication, region, time period etc. This is extremely helpful if a person is interested in looking for different perspectives on the same issue.
The use of Google Alerts is also helpful is the user wants to keep up with the latest news on a subject. A person can tell Google to search for something many times a day and send updates to an e-mail address provided by the user.
One of the most useful features of Google News is the "Advanced News Search." This allows the user to narrow a search to a certain publication, region, time period etc. This is extremely helpful if a person is interested in looking for different perspectives on the same issue.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
MLB Extra Innings
From ESPN article by Associated Press.
Even though MLB Extra Innings ultimately decided to keep cable television as an option for customers, the idea that it could have exclusively gone exclusively to satellite and DirectTV signals a change and the power and impact that a sports media product could have. DirectTV and MLB must have initially thought that their new idea would work and that people would actually switch companies in order to purchase a popular television package. I don't think that it would be a stretch to say that many may have done it in order to watch their favorite out-of-market teams play. Will other companies be following this idea of switching exclusively to satellite? Wouldn't MLB benefit most from having the most mediums possible to display its product?
Even though MLB Extra Innings ultimately decided to keep cable television as an option for customers, the idea that it could have exclusively gone exclusively to satellite and DirectTV signals a change and the power and impact that a sports media product could have. DirectTV and MLB must have initially thought that their new idea would work and that people would actually switch companies in order to purchase a popular television package. I don't think that it would be a stretch to say that many may have done it in order to watch their favorite out-of-market teams play. Will other companies be following this idea of switching exclusively to satellite? Wouldn't MLB benefit most from having the most mediums possible to display its product?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Comment on Source 2
From "The Party's Over; Twelve years without a Super Bowl has hit L.A. where it hurts, in pocketbook", Los Angeles Times.
This article demonstrates the economic impact that a Superbowl can have on a city. Since the NFL left Los Angeles, there have been no Superbowls played at either the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the Rose Bowl. A Superbowl can bring in upwards of $300 million to a city and Los Angeles has not been able to capitalize. Before the Raiders and the Rams left, 7 of the first 27 Superbowls were played in Los Angeles. It highlights the impact of sports and business on society.
This article demonstrates the economic impact that a Superbowl can have on a city. Since the NFL left Los Angeles, there have been no Superbowls played at either the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum or the Rose Bowl. A Superbowl can bring in upwards of $300 million to a city and Los Angeles has not been able to capitalize. Before the Raiders and the Rams left, 7 of the first 27 Superbowls were played in Los Angeles. It highlights the impact of sports and business on society.
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