Journalism in the 21st Century

With the evolution and changing nature of technology, mobile journalism which is also known as "Mojo" has taken great place in the field of journalism. So, what is the meaning of "Mojo"? Mojo is actually a new form of new media storytelling in which the journalists or reporters use mobile devices especially portable devices and smartphones with internet connection to edit, gather and distribute news. Compare with last few decades, the job of reporting news has become easier as the news production team needs not to bring along their large, heavy and impractical camera to the scenes anymore. 

These are the examples of mobile reporting tools:

According to Marrouch (2014), "Mojo" can be categorized into three which are user generated content, citizen journalists content and professional journalists content. The meaning of user generated content is unedited materials that are sent by witnesses directly to the broadcast station or press company (Marrouch, 2014). On the other hand, citizen journalists are citizens that play active roles in collecting, analyzing and distributing news through social media. Besides that, they are the one who often report breaking news faster than traditional media due to the availability of the technology (Citizen Journalism, 2012). On the other hand, professional journalists are journalists that being trained and they are usually being employed in a press company or broadcast station. In short, everyone can be a journalist in this 21st century.

Thanks to technology, journalists (or everyone) nowadays can update breaking news as fast as possible by using smartphones and share through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. They do not need to wait anyone. At the same time, technology benefits the citizens as they can know what is happening in their country or around the world. Freedom of speech is available too.

However, everything has its pros and cons.

According to Tia (2014), the quality of the video and picture taken by smartphones may not be that good compare to cameras which have set aperture. In addition, some irresponsible people would like to spread fake news through social media. One very good example is after the tragedy of MH 370, a lot of fake photos and videos spread on Facebook and Twitter that caused confusion of others.

So, what do you think of mobile journalism? Does it make our lives easier? Or it causes us many inconvenience? 

Reference:

Citizen journalism. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.freebase.com/m/02hpjd.

Marrouch, R. (2014). How mobile phones are changing journalism practice in the 21st century. Retrieved from https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/how-mobile-phones-are-changing-journalism-practice-21st-century.

Tia, J. (2014). Mobile journalism: Using your iPhone for multimedia. Retrieved from https://tiajames.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/mobile-journalism-using-your-iphone-for-multimedia/.

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Globalization and New Media

Apa itu Globalisasi?

Pada masa kini, pasti ramai yang meletakkan diri mereka sebagai manusia yang hidup pada era modenisasi. Bola bumi yang berputar dapat dirasakan betapa cepatnya waktu berlalu dan perubahan kehidupan manusia juga rancak seiring peredaran zaman. Meskipun begitu, terdapat beberapa bilangan individu yang masih lagi tidak tahu tentang makna perkataan ‘Globalisasi’ malah, tidak kira tua atau muda, tahu membaca atau tidak. Semua golongan individu yang mendiami muka bumi ini telah mengalami ‘Globalisasi’ dan harus mengambil tahu akan konsep sebalik perkataan tersebut. Oleh disebabkan itu, saya ingin berkongsi maklumat dengan pembaca luar sana apa itu Globalisasi?

                                           

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ0nFD19eT8

            Mengikut pemahaman saya, globalisasi adalah satu proses yang meletakkan manusia tinggal dalam satu rumah atau bumbung dan tidak mengira bangsa, agama, dan negara. Ataupun dengan lebih jelas lagi iaitu sebuah keluarga yang tinggal sebumbung bersama. Menurut Kamus Dewan, globalisasi dapat didefinisikan sebagai fenomena yang menjadikan dunia mengecil dari segi perhubungan manusia disebabkan kepantasan perkembangan teknologi maklumat. Manakala, para cendekiawan Barat pula berpendapat bahawa globalisasi merupakan satu proses kehidupan manusia yang serba luas dan infiniti yang merangkumi segala aspek kehidupan termasuklah politik, sosial dan ekonomi. Hal ini jelas bahawa segala benda yang terdapat di muka bumi ini adalah menjadi milik bersama dalam konsep dunia tanpa sempadan.

            Selain itu, globalisasi juga merujuk kepada cara kita berfikir dan bertindak dari satu negara ke negara yang lain. Seperti yang dikatakan oleh pemikir Barat iaitu Lodge (1993) berkata bahawa

“... a process forced by global flows of people, information, trade and capital. It is accelerated by technology which is driven by only a few hundred multinational corporations and may be harmful to the environment. Therein lies the conundrum of whether it is wise to leave globalization in the hands of these few corporations, or might it not make more sense to seek greater involvement from the global community”.

            Banyak contoh aspek yang boleh dilihat corak kehidupan kita dalam bentuk globalisasi. Salah satu contoh ialah budaya makan. Kalau dulu zaman nenek moyang hanya dapat makan makanan ruji seperti nasi, namun kini kita berpeluang untuk makan makanan ruji negara orang dengan mudah sahaja. Sebagai contoh, makanan popular budaya Amerika iaitu Mc Donald di mana mempunyai anggaran premis restoran sebanyak 10, 500  di 50 buah negara di merata dunia. Malah, orang Amerika juga dapat makan makanan kita yang terdapat di Malaysia dengan kemudahan teknologi dan maklumat. Mudahkan?

            Namun begitu, proses globalisasi yang diamalkan di seluruh negara juga mempunyai kesan buruk kepada masyarakat. Antara kesan buruk yang dapat dilihat ialah gaya hidup bebas yang semakin menular dalam kalangan remaja kini. Sebagai contoh, kes pembuangan bayi yang semakin meningkat yang disumbangkan oleh ramai golongan remaja yang terlanjur. Hal ini disebabkan komunikasi yang tidak sihat antara remaja lelaki dan perempuan. Di samping itu juga, kesan lain yang jelas kita lihat dalam kalangan masyarakat kini ialah sikap cenderung mementingkan diri sendiri iaitu tidak mempedulikan masalah yang dihadapi oleh orang lain. Malah, masyarakat yang hanya tahu untuk menjaga hal keperibadian masing-masing.

            Mata pena semakin haus menelaah konsep apa itu globalisasi? Diharap perkongsian maklumat ini dapat lagi disebarkan untuk kebaikan bersama J

References:

Vaagan, R. (Ed)(2008). New Media, Mediated Communication and Globalization. Intercultural Communication Studies, 17(3)(184).
Kamus Dewan Edisi Baru(1993). Kuala Lumpur:Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Blog berita

1. Dunia ICT pada masa kini telah banyak membawa perubahan dalam pelbagai bentuk sehinggalah wujud pelbagai blog yang mengandungi berita-berita semasa. Ia telah merubah cara kita berkomunikasi, berinteraksi dan cara kita untuk mendapatkan berita atau hiburan. Terdapat pelbagai berita dan maklumat yang terkandung dalam blog berita ini sama seperti laman web yang biasa bermula dengan tajuk muka hadapan dan terdapat berita-berita terkini bagi setiap segmen. Sebagai contoh, terdapat beberapa blog yang banyak berkongsikan berita sebagai bahan tambahan dalam blog mereka untuk dikongsikan kepada pembaca iaitu BBC, CNN, Harianblog.com dan banyak lagi.

Kelebihan yang terdapat dalam blog berita ini adalah maklumat boleh disebarkan dengan lebih pantas dan secara meluas melalui internet. Pembaca akan dapat memperoleh berita secara terus menerus dengan menggunakan telefon pintar atau komputer. Pembaca juga boleh memberikan komen dalam setiap blog berita yang dikunjungi kerana setiap blog berita menyediakan ruang komen dan maklum balas kepada pembaca blog tersebut. Ruang komen dan maklum balas ini disediakan untuk memudahkan pembaca untuk menyuarakan pendapat masing-masing. Jika dibandingkan dengan berita online yang lain, ruangan komen itu adalah terhad kerana sesiapa sahaja tidak boleh untuk memberikan komen yang berlebihan kerana masih terletak dibawah undang-undang yang ditetapkan oleh kerajaan Negara kita. Berbeza dengan blog berita ini, sesiapa sahaja bebas dan boleh memberikan komen kerana ia adalah terbuka.

Walaupun terdapat banyak kelebihan yang diperoleh melalui blog berita online ini, tetapi kita mungkin masih tidak berpuas hati terhadap maklumat yang diberikan itu ada yang kurang jelas dan kelihatan kabur tanpa penjelasan yang lebih spesifik. Walaubagaimanapun, blog berita ini tidak boleh dipercayai sepenuhnya. Hal ini kerana kebanyakan maklumat dan berita yang disampaikan itu kurang tepat dan tidak ada kesahihannya. Selain itu, blog berita ini kebiasaannya tidak mempunyai sumber yang boleh dipercayai kerana ia hanya berdasarkan pendapat pengguna blog itu sendiri.

Blog berita BBC

2. Dalam blog berita online ini, pembaca bebas untuk memberikan komen dan pendapat masing-masing mengenai sesuatu isu dan berita yang dikeluarkan dalam blog tersebut. Sebagai contoh, blog berita online iaitu BBC ini menyediakan ruang komen untuk pembaca memberi respon terhadap berita yang dipaparkan oleh mereka. Setiap pembaca bebas untuk menyuarakan pendapat mereka terhadap sesuatu perkara kerana mereka juga mempunyai hak untuk bersuara. Tetapi,  komen yang diberikan itu hendaklah berpatutan dan tidak digalakkan untuk menyentuh sensitiviti orang lain sehingga membawa kepada komen yang berbaur hasutan.

3. Blog berita online yang sesuai untuk dijadikan sumber informasi yang baik untuk pembaca adalah British Boardcasting Coperation (BBC). Kandungan berita dalam blog BBC ini amat baik dan mempunyai nilai dan ciri-ciri berita yang sahih serta boleh dipercayai. Blog berita online ini amat memudahkan kita sebagai pembaca untuk mengakses setiap berita yang baru dan lama yang telah dikeluarkan. Tetapi perlu berhati-hati dalam memilih blog berita yang dibaca kerana terdapat beberapa blog yang sering memutar belitkan berita sehingga berita itu menjadi sesuatu yang tidak benar. Bagi saya, saya akan memilih untuk membaca akhbar yang bercetak berbanding blog berita online kerana sesetangah blog pada masa kini banyak menyiarkan berita yang tidak tepat dan hanya membuat andaian sendiri tanpa membuat sumber rujukan. Sebagai pembaca, kita hendaklah bijak dalam meneliti kesahihan berita yang dikeluarkan oleh mana-mana pihak berdasarkan sumber-sumber yang boleh dipercayai.

Rujukan

http://arifict.dapat.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/5499e3e1-9ad1-4ad1-bcc1-188cfeba511d

PorNoGraphy please?

As mass media consumption is increasing in this technology flooded era, its function has obviously changed from to bring human conveniences to a sense of need in daily life. Thus, there’s a modified basic human needs for this new tech-flooded society, derived for people in this 21^st century from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, with internet as the most basic needs despite physiological needs. (This hierarchy has actually shown in previous post).

(Image adapted from: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/experts-warn-schools-to-brace-for-next-generation-of-tech-savvy-children/story-e6frf7kx-1226448337277)

However, this phenomenon does not seem to bring human its conveniences as it supposed to, where it is up to certain circumstances only. Wondering why do I create such statement? The invention of internet indeed has brought human being more conveniences than the past, however, because it is too easy to access to, thus people have started to ‘utilize’ it not for the sake of conveniences anymore, but for ‘entertainment’. A study conducted by a British professor in year 1995 has found that internet has the most view search for pornography. As we know, internet is now being regarded as a global electronic village. A village may consist of young kids as well; the community is not only made up from those technology-literate adults and teenagers.

(Image adapted from: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/experts-warn-schools-to-brace-for-next-generation-of-tech-savvy-children/story-e6frf7kx-1226448337277)

It is normal to see children in supermarket whom sitting in trolley or baby stroller with a mobile phone or a tablet in their hand, swiping their fingers all over across the screen and look professional in devices. Parents are intentionally in giving their phone or tablet to kids to make sure kids will not make any messes in their shopping. Imagine, these kids are contacted with digital devices in their very young age, they are still innocent to go online, surfing on net for information; while we adults are streaming pornography with full of enjoyment. 

As the population of children usage on internet is getting greater, although they surf more for gaming at this moment, they might soon get affected by such porn viewing behavior by the adults. According to poll survey on kids’ usage behavior pattern by KidSay, reported by e-Marketer in U.S. for the year 2014, some kids are streaming for videos as well and it is the second activity they did, despite playing online games, on internet. Hence, kids might indirectly and gradually expose to the high risk of viewing pornography accidentally and unintentionally.

(Image adapted from: http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Most-US-Children-Use-Internet-Least-Daily/1010789)

Hence, we as a matured adult, shouldn’t we create a safer environment in web for our younger generations? Otherwise, we should have kept them educated and by their side as guardian for the time they are on internet. 

(Image adapted from: http://www.kindynews.com/blog/archives/11-2012)

References

Most US Children use the internet at least daily. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Most-US-Children-Use-Internet-Least-Daily/1010789

Pornography most popular subject for Internet searches Internet becomes a haunt of the dirty-mac brigade. (1995). Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/pornography-most-popular-subject-for-internet-searches-internet-becomes-a-haunt-of-the-dirtymac-brigade-1600801.html

Are you a phubber?

Do you guys know what “Phubbing” is? Phubbing is a new term to define the habit of snubbing or ignoring someone when in a social situation by looking at a phone or other mobile devices (Tomic, 2013).

In the digital 21^st century, communication through social media has become a norm. Nowadays, human interaction is possible to have a conversation of more than two people by using chat applications such as WeChat, LINE, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Compared to past few decades, owning a mobile phone provides a sense of accomplishment even though he or she is only owning a NOKIA 3310 for keeping contact with the beloved one. Now, a smartphone with the updated software like store application allows people to download games, applications and books freely. Therefore, other than communicating with people, we also use smartphone to access internet for status updating, checking other statuses, tweeting and sharing content as well as for educational purposes.

STOP Phubbing!

Due to the convenience that smartphones provided and development of technology, people less engaged in face to face communication with family and friends (Chen & Marcus, 2013). Use of electronic media is increasing but poor real-life communication had occurred between people in our society. In other words, people reduced other activities which included face-to-face social interaction when they began to become a phubber. This showed that people are using their smartphones more frequently compare to face to face communicating with other people. 

Issues happened in our society

Research showed that teenagers are mostly the one who involved in fiddling with their phones during meetings, having dinner with others and in any social situations (Are smartphones making us anti-social?, 2013). According to Al Khatib (2013), 87% of the teenagers today prefer communicate through texting than face-to-face communication. On the other hand, 97% of the people feel their food tasted worse when they are the victims of phubbing (Al Khatib, 2013).

According to Al Khatib (2013), people have welcomed development of technology and smartphones in our daily lives. However, we do not speak although we spend time together. I got few experiences when I was hanging out with my friends. Once we sat down and ordered food, everyone is looking at their own phones without talking to each other. I was thinking what is the point to hang out with them? Besides that, people like to “check in” with their friends on Facebook when you are actually with them. Other than that, people also like to communication with their friends by using WhatsApp, WeChat or LINE even though they are sitting opposite each other. In short, people are not willing to leave their phones from them.

Last but not least, even though technology has improved human communication but at the same time it changes human communication.

Do you hate someone who ignores you by looking at his or her smartphones? Or you are the one who always ignore people by looking at your smartphone? Just kindly remind, put down your smartphones or other mobile devices to have a proper conversation with your family, friends or other people. DON’T ALWAYS BE A PHUBBER. J

Tomic, J. (2013). Will “phubbing” ever stop?. Retrieved from http://www.brandingmagazine.com/2013/10/14/phubbing-maccann-macquarie-dictionary/.

Al Khatib, N. (2013, September 7). Phubbing: Me, myself and my phone. Gulf News. Retrieved from http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/society/phubbing-me-myself-and-my-phone-1.1228415.

Are smartphones making us anti-social?. (2013, October 14). CBC News. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/are-smartphones-making-us-anti-social-1.2053920.

Let's talk about Wi-Fi.

As in title, let's talk about this.

We all need Wi-Fi, but do you have any idea what it is?

Based on Oxford Dictionary, Wi-Fi is "a facility allowing computers, smartphones, or other devices to connect to the internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a particular area." It was actually originated from the word "wireless" plus an arbitrary second element, after Hi-Fi, which sometimes misunderstood or misinterpret as an abbreviation of Wireless Fidelity.

Last couple weeks I went back to my hometown located at Selangor for Chinese New Year celebration, when I reach home, I found out there is no one playing fire crackers, poker card games or even mahjong, but only focus on their iPhones and iPads, not only the adults, but even the children know how to find a best spot for better Wi-Fi connection. Facebook, Twitter, Whatsaap, Wechat, Candy Crush and Farm Hero Saga, everyone is enjoying their sweet time with Wi-Fi, as it already became part of their life.

Is it no doubt that Wi-Fi had already became the part of our life, as some of the people said, Wi-Fi had became the most significant needs among human, even come before physiological needs.

The Brand New Hierachy of Needs

The Wi-Fi internet of everything is happening now, where it already connecting the internet of everything applications that consumers want today, which included a large variety of Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, light bulbs, home security, monitoring and control system, appliances, automotive products and even wearable devices available today, where this single technology makes all connection seemless. A survey done by Wifi Alliance shows that 91% respondent are more willing to purchase smart products for their house if they can sync everything to their existing Wi-Fi network (Felner, 2014). 

So how Wi-Fi affecting students life, especially focus on college students? Here are some interesting facts I found on the internet done by Wakefield Research back in 2008. Bare in mind that this survey was done before iPads or tablets strike the market or even before smartphones had penetrated more than 50 percent of the population.

“Fully 90% respondent believe that Wi-Fi access is an essential to an education as a classroom or a computer.

Wi-Fi has become so prevalent on college campuses that ABI Research said Wi-Fi penetration should reach 99% of all campuses by 2013.

Colleges worldwide spend about $837 million in 2013 on Wi-Fi access point.

75% of the students who took part in a survey said Wi-Fi access on their college helps them get better grades.

48% of the college students willing to give up their beer before giving up Wi-Fi.

60% of the students surveyed said they will not enter a college that did not offer free Wi-Fi.” (Hamblen, 2008)

By Jimmy Daly, 2013, How Important Is Wi-Fi to a College Education?

The 21st century has become defined by the digital revolution and in a few short years, the digital realm has broken free from the static shackles of the desktop and is now never more than an arm’s reach away. This has redefined how society views and interacts with technology. The only thing that has been lacking is the ability to provide a consistent, high quality connected experience, regardless of environmental factors. 

                              

Thanks to Wi-Fi, this is about to change.

Here is another example on how Wi-Fi change the conventional education system:

iPads for Learning was a major Australian research trial examining the impact iPads have on students’ learning at home and at school, as well as how iPads can benefit and transform teaching practice. 

Over 700 iPads were distributed to students at nine selected schools and the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute. Students used their iPads with wireless internet access at school, and while at home were able to use their iPads with or without internet access.

The evaluation of the trial showed that these tablets:

·        

1.      increased independent and self-initiated learning among students

2.      increased student motivation and active engagement in learning

3.      improved teachers’ capacity to plan for and meet individual student needs

4.      improved student learning outcomes

5.      extended student's learning beyond the classroom

6.      improved parental engagement in learning and strengthen home-school links.

Specifically with regards to Wi-Fi, the study showed that:

1.      High speed access to online information enables more self-directed learning and rapid access to a fast-growing market of relevant and regularly updated educational apps.

2.      Portability enhances collaboration between students and communication between students and teachers, increases parental engagement in learning and strengthens home-school connections.

3.      Students used the iPad to take greater control of their learning, using a single device to search for information on the internet, practise specific skills with selected apps, create keynotes and multimedia presentations, and present and share their learning with their peers, teachers and family.

References

Felner, K. D. (2014, February 20). The Beacon: Wi-Fi Alliance. Retrieved March 11, 2015, from Five important things to know about the Wi-Fi Internet of everyhting: http://www.wi-fi.org/beacon/kelly-davis-felner/five-important-things-to-know-about-the-wi-fi-internet-of-everything

Hamblen, M. (2008, October 6). Computerworld. Retrieved March 11, 2015, from Wi-Fi helps college students get better grades, survey says: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2533547/mobile-wireless/wi-fi-helps-college-students-get-better-grades--survey-says.html

WiFi in Schools. (n.d.). Wifi in Schools: Because our kids need it. Retrieved March 11, 2015, from Why Wifi is needed in schools: http://wifiinschools.ca/what-our-kids-lose