Final Blog - My thoughts

Putting my thoughts into words is bitter-sweet as always when the quarter ends because it feels like I have to say goodbye to an enjoyable environment. I begin with feeling doubt and restlessness from the first day in class to feeling pride, joy and triumph today because I have surpassed another quarter here at De Anza. I have learned in my first journalism class to be open-minded and accept that the truth in mass media may be hidden. In this class, I have learned to persevere and ask questions. I definitely view mass media in a different light because I know that history has a way of repeating itself. My understanding of the first amendment is changed because although the first amendment states freedom of the press, speech and religion it is different in the media. The first amendment protects an individual but also has consequences. I know I will take my learnings and evoke them in my daily media usage. Thank you for an awesome experience. :)

Zimmerman sues NBC libel case

http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/george-zimmerman-verdict-gives-new-twist-to-his-libel-suit-against-nbc-1200562075/

Libel: a published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

• Zimmerman sues NBC for defamation 
• States that NBC edited and manipulated 911 call 
• Made Zimmerman appear like a racist 
• NBC apologized beforehand; Vowed to defend themselves in court
• 2 reporters fired for editing 911 phone call 
• Case still pending 

My comments: When the incident of the year drew the nation in , I began following the story closely. I knew that this case was different and that it was going to be a media circus. There was the 911 phone call that immediately shocked and placed blame on Zimmerman. Instantly, many already appeared to place blame on the racist Zimmerman based on the 911 phone call. It also shocked everyone that when judgement day came, it was not to vindicate Trayvon but to find no fault on Zimmerman. From the get go, the media should not have edited the phone call and if they were going to edit it asked for permission and been up front about it. 

Research Annotated References

1. Kirby, D. (2012). Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the dark side of killer whales in captivity. New York: St. Martin's Press.

The author (Kirby) highlights controversial dangerous consequences of keeping killer whales in captivity. Kirby introduces scientific experts, marine biologists and former SeaWorld trainers with eye witness testimonies. The backlash of Blackfish is heavily covered. 



2. Months after 'blackfish' release, controversy over SeaWorld grows (2014). . Washington, D.C: National Public Radio. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1477579755?accountid=38235

This article I found was posted at the beginning of this year and discusses up to date further consequences and controversy regarding the incidents that has surrounded SeaWorld's captive killer whales. Laws introduced focus on the status and how it will affect future showings. 




3. MIKE, S. (n.d). SeaWorld drops appeal of OSHA violations from trainer's death. Canadian Press, The,

This up to date article confirms the law restrictions and fines placed against SeaWorld by OSHA. SeaWorld responds by dropping appeal that trainers will remain outside water tank during shows. SeaWorld hoped that trainers would be back in the water with the killer whales with new tank designs that would protect trainers in case of another incident that arose. 

Propaganda Ads

1. Appear to Fear & Dictat Techniques Used 

• This ad is causing shock and fear by showing death if not periodically tracking your cholesterol 
• By showing a person who appears dead and alone at a mortuary causes viewers to freak out
• Some viewers will call the number provided and ask how to prolong life and avoid cholesterol ultimately leading like the dead person in the photo ad

     2. Flag-waving, common man, and beautiful people 

• This video ad focuses on the soldier being a hero and coming home to his family and a town celebrating his return with ads for budweiser 
• The town and people promote drinking a patriotic beer making the viewers wanting to be patriotic and happy to enjoy the freedoms soldiers sacrifice 
• Nothing like a cold budweiser beer to know you are a true family based American who supports the troops 

Research Topic Proposal

• Topic idea #1 -  I am curious to know more about mass media and its affects on the school system. My focus group would be directed at kindergarden through third grade and how the tech savvy tools are being used for learning and growing. I decided as this being one of my topics because I am interested how advanced technologies have impacted school environments and the children attending.
• Topic idea #2 - Being a part of the social network world, I would like to inform and know more about when the food pictures and fitness freaks started to popularize. I also would like to incorporate some statistics and if certain users are making revenue and are being sponsored. 
• Topic idea #3 - What age is your child ready for a smartphone and how to avoid phone addiction? That is a question I have wondered myself. I am not a parent but my research would focus on the parent's concerns. 

Movies!

My favorite movie of 2013-2014 was the incredibly intense war film of Lone Survivor. The reason why I chose Lone Survivor was because the movie kept my interest from the second it began until the end credits and was one of the most moving movies I have seen in some time. If your not familiar with this film, I highly recommend seeing it. It was a beautiful tribute to the Navy Seals men killed during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan and shows the true face of what our soldiers go through on these dangerous missions. The format I saw this film was a dvd red box rental during the summer.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lone_survivor/

It is so hard to choose my favorite movie of all time since I have quite a few but of that short list I have to go with Blood in Blood Out Bound by Honor. I first watched this film in the late 1990s and felt a cultural connection with the different ethnic mixes represented. The film follows the lives of three young cousins from East Los Angeles and how they struggle with street gangs and later leading into their adult lives. Their strong message is that loyalty runs deep in the blood running through their veins. Although the film is almost three hours long, I can still watch it over and over again!

Magazine Proposal

• Magazine Name: Bay Area Pet Adventures 

• Concept: Bay Area Pet Adventures is locally run and its residents participate by sending in their article ideas, concerns, and their own foster stories. Its focus is on the relationship between pets and their owners. Articles will feature beautiful hike trails that your pet and you will enjoy. Safety measures, breed misconceptions and up to date laws to be aware of. Everything pet related from toys, gear, pet birthday ideas, reviews on pet food. 

• Readers: This magazine is aimed at all pet lovers of all ages and how anyone can help by volunteering and/or donating. Make an impact by loving a loyal pet friend!

• Competitors: Bay Area Pet Adventures have key features not all others have. These features are coupon cuts, Dr. Tips on the health of your pet, and many parks where your breed is welcome. NO MORE RESTRICTIONS! Some of our competitors include BayWoof, Beast of the Bay, and Pet-Friendly Travel. Another key feature along with the coupons is birthday treats for your pet

• Advertisers: 

1. The Animal Doctors
2. Any Mountain 
3. Blue Buffalo 
4. TLC Mobile Pet Grooming 
5. Animal Legal Defense Fund

• Featured Articles: 

1. GET A WHIFF OF HIDDEN HIKES - Beautiful hike trails to take your pet all across the bay area and/or California travels. Will include trail traveled information and pictures.
2. PET FRIENDLY PARKS - Reviews on pet friendly parks and information if any pet restrictions. Also feature map.
3. DON’T LET PRICES CHOW DOWN YOUR WALLET - How to save money on all your pet expenses. Will include coupons.
4. OBEDIENCE TRAINING & HEALTH TIPS - How to care for your pet and article will feature concerns and answers by Dr. Also will feature obedience programs. 
5. OUR SHELTER FRIENDS - Feature will not forget how to do your part in helping shelter friends, vaccines, neutering information etc. 

Thanks for the Memories Books

Hi there and thank you for stopping by. Let's dip into the portal of my three most memorable and influential books of my early childhood, middle school, and young adult years! I hope you can see why I chose all three books for different stages of my life.

• "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch a children's book I remember as heartwarming about unconditional love. The first time I heard it I was in second grade. My teacher told us to go to the reading carpet. We were allowed to get pillows and lay down if we wanted to. Mrs. Crawford was so motherly. I remember thinking, "when I grow up this is what I will read to my children." Love isn't easily described but the illustrations and the translations was ever grasping and just drew me in at that young age. The passion and excitement in my teachers voice just made me fall more in love with the book.

• "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls is easily my most memorable middle school book. I remember reading this book in the sixth grade and how it drew me in with country folk living. The boy who wants so bad two blood hound pups shows so much initiative and hard work for two years to earn the money to buy his champion pups. The message really inspired me to never give up and to not listen to anyone who wants to steer you away from your dreams. This is how I was able to build the courage to persuade my mom to send me on the Lake Tahoe field trip by going door to door selling food delicacies to raise the money the school required. It was an amazing trip! 

• "Twilight Series" by Stephanie Meyer is not my favorite readings for its text but by the memories my best friend and Melissa made five summers ago. Melissa would always push me to read these books that were so good and I would always brush them off. I didn't want to dip into them because everyone hyped the series up so much and the movie would be hitting theaters soon according to her which I did not know. Finally, I was at the library and checked them all out and found myself in my room reading them. The book drew me in so fast that I could not wait to finish each book. I would call my best friend Melissa on the phone every day about ten times a day to see if I could squeeze any spoiler out of her but to no avail. We shared laughs and she would keep me at suspense all the time. I finished all the books within a week. We saw the movies together every year and it will always be one of the best readings I shared with a friend at the end of my teenage years. I did hear some controversy about the main character Bella Swan going into a deep depression because her love interest Edward Cullen breaks up with her. Bella then is having trouble adjusting to life without him. The controversy arises here that young girls derive the message that when I boyfriend leaves you then it is hard to find yourself again. Also suicidal thoughts and that was just a mess but a good point to bring up. 

Maria's Media Autobiography

Hi there! I am Maria Mendoza and I am hoping to double major in Justice Studies and Communications with a minor in computer science. There are a number of colleges that spark my interest and at this moment in time I am uncertain as to what college to attend. The types of media that I have used since my childhood has sky-rocketed and has become a tremendous influence in my life. When I was a child, my mother as a single parent with four children, could not afford to buy us pagers, cellphones or computers. My only direct window to another world of possibilities was books. I read all kinds of books from comics to magazines but my favorite genre was fiction. It was a wish world where anything was possible. The only other media outlets that were offered to me was the radio and television. We listened to tons of radio and watched many shows and movies together. I would say my mother found a way to keep my brothers and I intact and away from the trouble of the streets through family movie days. I never experienced internet until high school where I had to access it for homework and projects. It was a little nerve-racking learning how to use such a complex media device. To this day, I consider myself a beginner to the ever-changing tech world. After graduating high school and getting a job I was able to afford a cellphone and connect to all my friends. It definitely was a milestone and is as important just as obtaining a driver's license. Today, I have tons of media apps on my phone and computer. I also prescribe to a couple magazines which I need to make time to read since I started fall quarter. I also frequently visit many websites to read articles that spark my interest. Although, I have yet to grab an actual newspaper. It is very rare that I am not surrounded by some sort of device such as the radio, smart phone, advertisements, and internet. It is hard to escape the tech world especially in the Silicon Valley. The only chance of that happening is if there was a blackout and I didn't pay my phone bill. There is no escaping the advances in technology.