Global Media News

Rebirth of Occupy Wall Street

The Occupy Wall Street movement, which made its mark last year, has announced its return. "The Occupy Movement has called for A Day Without the 99% on May 1st, 2012," a statement said, referring to a slogan that the classifys the financially well-off  1% in power vs the 'powerless' 99%. It has been said that the true challenge of OWS second run will be staying relevant. The people of OWS say that they want to throw things off, cause change- an article in Bloomberg.com shared this:

“We call upon people to refrain from shopping, walk out of class, take the day off of work and other creative forms of resistance disrupting the status quo,” organizers said in an April 26 e-mail.

Sounds to me like just another nuisance yet again taking over the parks of NYC. Another contributing factor to the success of this OWS is the media- Twitter is helping them gain supporters fast. Guitarist Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine, sent a call for a 'Guitarmy'. An article in The Huffington Post posted the infamous, and active member of OWS' tweets: "I'm putting a new band together and ur in it. Our 1st rehearsal is tomm noon @ Bryant Park in NYC. Looking for about 10,000 guitar players" And a second tweet: Join my new band! Don't have a guitar? Bring a drum. No drum? Bring a kazoo. No kazoo? Just come. Bryant Park/noon tomm.#MayDaythrowdown".  If the movement can get more avid supporters like Morello, maybe specifically from the celebrity world, it will be more productive than its previous NY protests which were considered to be the cause of a lot of ruckus. With the OWS website having over 123k likes on Facebook, and 100k plus tweets on Twitter, it look's like theres a possibility for a more successful protest. As it the protests enfold, it will be interesting to see the role the media will play in helping the movement grow (or not grow). 

 

 

 

The Media's Role in Helping the Blind Lawyer

 

This is a video clip that is showing the force of which guards are using to keep the  blind lawyer named Chen Guangcheng under house arrest and alone. But as the New York Times says he escaped and fled to the U.S. Embassy. This is for the best for Mr. Chen but for the Chinese government, not as much. The Chinese government has banned all things on Mr.Chen online.

The social media that should be free is not so in China. Social media in China is not free, just like their other rights, Chinese people do not get the same freedoms that we have here in America. This is important to see because the government in China gets and  keeps its power in this control.

The New York Times states that "Banned searches turn up this message: “According to relevant laws, regulations and policies, these search results cannot be shown.”" in regards to searches done that the government has banned.  The media in China is so controlled that Mr. Chen was beat during his house arrest to try and stop him from opposing the government one child policy.

Lucky now Mr.Chen is in safe hands and sharing his story to the people of the world.

 

New TV Generation

Can Television be the next version of the Ipad?! 

Millions of customers are eager to be part of the next generation in viewing options when it comes to Television. Demands for apps that pop up on television screens are very high for easier channel search. Many companies are working on this idea in order to satisfy tech-loving consumers. Some Internet-enabled televisions already have apps such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

 Although Apple already has a video player called Apple TV with apps, many media executives predict the entrance of Apple in the television market with either a new set-box or an Apple-made TV set. Many people predict that this new TV generation will be much like Apple’s Ipad.

 “The question that hasn’t yet been answered is whether television viewing will consist of a single app that mimics the pay TV bundle or a series of different apps that together form a content experience”. Said Jon Miller, a chief digital officer at News Corporation in a NewYorkTimes Article.

Little or no watched channels will lower monthly fees, allowing the most popular watched channels get high fees from subscribers. Many media executives, who think that this App TV can be the next generation for entertainment, would not discuss the subject publicly due to their cable and satellite partners.

It has been estimated by a research done by eMarketer that by 2014, 89.5 million people in the United States will use tablet computers, compared to 54.8 million users in 2012. According to a NewYorkTimes Article, “Cable and satellite companies have sped up the development of their own TV apps in the hope that they will eventually mimic the set-top box”. The goal is to give customers the option of one or two Apps that will offer hundreds of channels rather than too many Apps.

Just like the Iphone and the Ipad, there is no doubt that our technology can keep improving. Apps create personal and amazing experiences that can open many doors for big TV networks. 

 

TUGG and You Shall Receive

Ever wish that a movie you really wanted to see was playing at a near by theatre or even playing in theatres at all?  Thanks to movie executive Nicolas Gonda, such a thing can be possible.

Gonda created a movie distribution business, known as Tugg, to allow movie goers to choose what movie they want to see at a theatre near them.  He stated, according to Buffalo News, that:

 "In the past, movie theaters have been forced to be somewhat narrow in their programming, now, with Tugg, they can be as diverse as the interests and the imaginations of the people in their communities."

What the service entails, as explained on its website, is finding a movie you want played, get the required amount of people to attend, via social media, and viola you're watching your chosen movie on the big screen. 

According to the Huffington Post, "it's a win-win for consumer and movie theater."  The consumer is able to see a movie they want to watch without going far and the theatre is guaranteed a full house and great profit.

Since its beginning in March of 2012 , the service has partnered with well known movie franchises such as AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Rave Cinemas.  Yet, because it is only a newborn company, the choice to view certain films anywhere, are in short supply.  At least for now.  

Many have expressed their admiration towards Nicolas Gonda and Tugg for using the Internet and social media as a means of influencing and enhancing the movie goers experience.  As more and more people find out Tugg, I feel it will change the movie theatre experience for the best.

Is Google Googling you?

Google has come under increased scrutiny when they were rumored to have violated people's personal rights and viewed people's personal information, such as emails or passwords, with0ut the individuals consent.  The Federal  Communications Commission(FCC) has stated that although Google has not violated any major laws it was indeed partly responsible and was fined $25,000 as a result.

The scandal is centered around an engineer, which has been labeled as anoymous name of "Engineer Doe", who worled for Google andtold Google officials that they can collect payload data from individuals which then can track the individuals wi-fi networks and location. Payload data is the data sent over the internet which contains vital information on location, wi-fi and other important info and Google was accused for using this to steal individuals personal information. In a report with the Washington Post the FCC has stated that Google has used street viewing cars for this, "On at least two occasions Engineer Doe specifically informed colleagues that Street View Cars were collecting data."

According to BBC News the information gained from the reports were going to be used for other Google projects, the FCC has stated, "Engineer Doe intended to collect, store and review payload data for possible use in other Google projects." This news is alarming news as internet safety is yet again another major topic. Google is a major giant in the media asit has alot of power and can get away with scandals such as these. What's even more of a concern is that Google is affiliated with many different forms of technology and media such as E-Mails or G-mail, you-tube, maps, search engines, advertising, etc, and will use this to collect more data on individuals. Google will probably use this info that people store on other sites which they are affiliated with to promote their products, spread their information, control internet content and what not.

Global Media News #11: Thursday, April 26, 2012

 

Listen to Global Media News for Thursday, April 26

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  This webcast is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury.

This week on Global Media News:

• American Bandstand & Dick Clark
• Promoting Non-Profits with Twitter
• Spoiler Alert!  Twitter in the French Elections
• Political Scandals in the Chinese Media
• FBI:  Malware threats to Internet access
• Spotify Drinks Coca-Cola
• The Voice is Louder than American Idol
• Can You PowerPoint Your Way to Love?

See you next week for more breaking media news!

Listen to our webcast streaming live next Thursday @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our final webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, May  3, 2012.

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American Idol vs. The Voice

 After a decade on top, the talent show sensation American Idol has a new competitor working its way to number one spot. It became clear on Wednesday when the show took a sharp drop in ratings after a newer singing sensation "The Voice" on NBC took Idol's number one spot, making American Idol no longer the most popular show on television.

The show dropped 16 percent from its ratings a week ago, to a 5.1 rating in the category Fox Network cares most about. It was also down about the same amount in total viewers from 18.9 million to 15.9 million. Even more alarming for the Fox Network is the increasing of rating declines since last year. In 2011, the show was leveling off at about 25 percent down from 2010. Wednesday's show, was however down to 35 percent. 

According to a news article in NewYork Times, "This season, “Idol” has tended to gain about a tenth of a point when the official national ratings are calculated, so it may go up to a 5.2 this week. That would still leave it far behind “The Voice,” which averaged a 6 rating on Monday".

 
American Idol Judge Jennifer Lopez and The Voice Judge Christina Aguilera.  

 

 

Fox executives are citing what has looked to be an unusual ratings drop for many shows in the past week, while other people blame the ratings on the judges which include: Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson. It has been said that the judges are not young enough or cool as The Voice Judges which include: Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green. 

According to E News online: "The Voice is staying strong, dominating CBS' comedies, per the early numbers, and finishing with 16.1 million viewers and a 5.9 demo ratings that may, or may not, best Idol in next week's rankings"

There are many questions that arise as to wether more viewers are recording "Idol" this season to watch it later in the week.  In general, High ratings for reality TV hits built around a competition are less influenced by playbacks on DVRs. 

The bottom line is that the ratings for Idol do remain above well above average making it a hit show but part of the season where the auditions end and live performances begin, the ratings go a bit higher. 

 

More Power in Our Palms

We have already passes the phase of the glorious iPhone, apparently.  Now our world is moving on to the new technology of a Windows operated phone. The Nokia Lumina 900 is the newest technology in all types of media. It really is like having a hand held computer because it is operated by a computer system; Windows. This smartphone is the new face of media. The owner will be able to operate the internet and social media apps in the newest, most efficient way. Apple is not too happy about this. “There clearly is a danger now that iPhone is going to get a stranglehold of the U.S. smartphone market, and I don’t think operators are crazy about that,” Mr. Kuittinen said.

Even though last Christmas the iPhone still reached highest sales, they know that the Nokia Lumina 900 is right up their tail. Verizon and AT&Tare fiending for this; they see the potential. “We’re really looking at the Windows Phone 8.0 platform because that’s a differentiator,” Mr. Shammo said after Verizon’s earnings report Thursday. “We’re working with Microsoft on it.” He didn’t say when Windows Phone 8 handsets would be available on Verizon.

The soaring popular of the Nokia Lumina 900 was made clear by CNET: "The carrier's Lumia 900 page shows both the white and cyan models as "temporarily out of stock." AT&T's retail outlets are also reportedly facing the same shortage, according to WPCentral, which says that both color models are hard, if not impossible, to fina in store."

Both AT&T and Verizon are working vigorously with the phones makers. This phone is soon to change everything. It is predicted that when sales start rising, Apple will get wind of this and the iPhone may not be top in its game anymore. Yes, the iPhone was a remarkable piece of technology in the media and social media world. However, now we have the Nokia Lumina 900, a phone operating by a legitimate computer system.

How will anything be able to compete with their technology in the media world with a cell phone that is run by Windows? The way that we use social media and other media sources is by the computer, originally. That is also the most reliable, efficient way that we use media. Windows, one of the leading companies in computer systems now has their system running a cell phone. This is guaranteeing a change in media, because media through a computer is now in the palm of our hand.

 

 

Youtube Loses Copyright Battle in Germany

According to Huffington Post, a German court is accusing youtube of having copyright infringement and is totally responsible for it. On Friday, it was ruled that youtube install filters to prevent users from uploading music videos that belong to the German industry music group (GEMA). For allowing users to upload the videos and songs, youtube may be required to pay for all the clips uploaded.

According to the Washington Post, youtube claims that it does not control what users upload and that the ruling for filters will slow down the rate of users uploading videos to the site since every video will be checked for infringement. "It would jeopardize not only YouTube but every other innovative service on the Internet that allows users to submit content by forcing them to implement filtering” youtube states. To obey the ruling, youtube took down videos that seemed suspicious of copyright due to complaints.

Usually youtube offers software to copyright owners, so that they can identify their songs and videos and they can flag content that is infringed. Now the court in Germany, Hamburg, ruled that youtube has to do the job for the copyright owners meaning every time a video is flagged, youtube has to use the software to flag the videos and prevent any further infringement.

GEMA members state the lawsuit is a great success because it is making Youtube have some responsibility for videos and it will protect their videos. Google spokesman Kay Overbeck also claims it the lawsuit was a partial success because it created opportunities for growth in legal security and developments in Germany. Overall, the company will have to review the complaints from the ruling before making decisions and actually make the lawsuit successful.

 

Facebook Strikes Patent Deal.

Facebook and Microsoft are one. On Monday they have announced that they struck a deal for 1 Billion dollars. This deal also includes the already acquired AOL that Microsoft already own.Within this Already acquired patented Aol microsoft has beeen brought out of their share from AOl to Facebook. According to the The Washington Post Facebook will pay around 550 Billion dollars in cash for there AOl patents. The Vice Priesdent spoke about his  announcement on April 9, 2012 that turned many heads Within this Announcement it was said that Facebook and Microsoft are now partners. Microsoft grabbed up to 800 of AOL patents for up to $1.1 Billion dollars. From the media source Facebook would own up to 650 patents from AOL and plus a license from Microsoft. Microsoft will keep the remaining 275 patents and also have the license from people owned by Facebook. Executive Vice President Brad Smith say that

    “Today’s agreement with Facebook enables us to recoup over half of our costs while achieving our goals from the AOL auction",  meaning that The Agreement between Facebook and Mircosoft is strickly business also it gives the goal they want to achieve within AOL Patents.

Microsoft executive vice president Brad Smith say that Microsoft own 1.6 percent of the Facebook shares. These two companies has been working closely together also bringing Skype integration into the social network field. “It had, however, been reported by Bloomberg that Microsoft outbid Facebook for the AOL patents.

Another problem facing  Facebook  is that they are countersuing yahoo. In this countersuit Yahoo Inc. claimed that Facebook violated 10 patents covering advertising, privacy controls and social networking. Facebook denied Yahoo's allegations and accused Yahoo of violating 10 of its patents covering photo tagging, advertising, online recommendations and more.The patents are an undoubtedly a stockpile for Facebook social network has filed a counter suit against yahoo. In this counter suit it states below that Facebook has been

“ Infringing on several patents regarding social networking, ad placement and user customization. Facebook, in turn, denied the accusations of infringement and claimed that Yahoo violates Facebook patents including those related to photo-sharing, the real-time news feed and tagging digital media

All of this term oil between Facebook and Yahoo cause in the end Microsoft and Facebook becoming together.