Horvath Post #6

For our final project I choose to do Fars News, the Iranian English newspaper, and to say the least-it is far behind in technology. There website lacks in numerous ways. Their journalist are under strict restrictions of what they can and cannot report on. The government only wants you to know what they believe in and how they feel about all topics. All the media is under governmental control and if journalists undermined that there are harsh penalties to be paid.

In Irab media are they are lagging behind in numerous ways. One, for example, is that they are not as able to be up-to-the-minute reporting like in the U.S. In tying article with the class presentation I thought it was fascinating how Lebanon is being divided into two different subcultures. I know growing up when I wanted something my friends had and my parents told me know I would always use the excuse everyone else had it or did it, so I can see why it would be confusing with the two prominent religions being on the exact opposite side of the spectrum.

Horvath Post #5

I think subconsciously a lot of us knew that children programming is definitely on the raise in recent years. As our lives become more chaotic and busy, parents are always looking for a way to entertain their children so they can get things done without having to worry about what they are doing. And unfortunately for a lot of them, that means sitting their children in front of the television. If the children are watching television parents don’t feel like they have to worry about what the children are getting into or what potentially can happen to them, or so it seems to me. It also helps that a lot of children programming is also trying to move more into the educational aspect of television, which helps to make parents feel not so guilty about letting their child watch hours of television instead of playing outside.
I know personally that when my niece and nephew come over to my parents house while their parents are at work, they play outside for hours with the neighborhood kids and I feel like because of the area my parents live in you do not have to sit there and keep an eye on them at all times. But if when I am at their house and they are outside playing I feel like I have to have my eye on them at all times because I do not feel comfortable in the neighborhood they live in, so I would rather have them inside with me—even if that means they are watching the television.
I think Nickelodeon might dominate the market because they really focus on how they make the kids feel and what it means to them. It makes kids feel like their opinions matter, which in turn makes more kids want to be a part of that. I always felt like my opinion didn’t matter because I was “just a kid,” but Nickelodeon changes that and captures of the heart of children.

Horvath Post #4

The guest speaker on Wednesday and talking about North Korea really got me to thinking about something he mentioned on North Korea and I remember hearing this same thing being mentioned in Media Effects about Bulgaria. I cannot imagine having to own a radio that is preset to a government run station... Let alone the radio having to be on that station at all times. Being a person who loves such a diverse amount of music I can’t imagine living without it. I like having the freedom to change the channel to whatever music suits my mood at that given moment. To live in a world where you had to listen to a set channel and get in trouble if you changed it would be complete torture to me. Not to mention the print examples he let us look at. They looked strikingly similar to what you think of when you think about the propaganda posters from the holocaust. That thought alone terrifies me. I could not explain exactly why that is, but something inside of me is terrified that the still make advertisements that resemble that. We have come along way but they must really think it works if they are continuing that tactic. North Korea was never high on my “must visit” list but after the guest speaker it might be even lower on the list just because he didn’t seem to have very many freedoms when he was there. And I, for one, have grown accustomed to my independence and freedom-something I never want to give up.

Horvath post #3

While listening while the Mexico presentation was given, something caught my attention and immediately I thought back to something I saw on a TV show. It was briefly touched upon that a lot of the Mexico television networks don't report what happens with the cartels because they fear for their lives as well as their families. I’m not sure how many of you have ever watched the TV show “Border Wars” on the Natgeo channel, but there was an episode that directly related to this issue. There was a well known Mexican reporter who reported for both Mexico and U.S. channels. One day while he was sitting near a bordering river he observed and recorded a human smuggling operation going down. When the guy leading the illegals, known as a coyote, saw him and said “are you a report? –don’t report this I know who you are,” or something to that effect. Because of this, he ended up taking time off from reporting all together because he knew numerous reporters who were killed for reporting things the cartel had involvement, especially when dealing with the border police uncovering a vehicle trying to smuggle across weapons and money. That is something that I cannot wrap my mind around… It’s not something I’ve had to deal with or ever imagine. It’s almost as if it is something you think only happens in movies.

Horvath Post #2

I think Hollywood dominates the film industry for multiple reasons. Mainly the fact of its location and what it has made for itself. It is similar to fashion, which I do not claim to know anything about, New York, for example is fashion hub of the United States. It is all about what you have to offer, and for Hollywood they make it seem like a pretty darn good deal. I actually had a friend move to LA a couple of years ago to pursue her dream of being a musician and since moving out there she has gotten involved in numerous plays. Everyone loves to root for the underdogs, and Hollywood gives us that opportunity because young aspiring people have the ability to pursue such opportunities. As obnoxious and self-centered as this sounds, I think a lot of the reason Hollywood dominates the film industry has a lot to do with the fact that it is located in the United States. While there are a lot of countries that do not like the United States, there will always be some who strive to achieve one accomplishment or another by comparing themselves to the U.S. Look at Bollywood for example, it is growing in popularity, even in U.S. I’m sure Hollywood will never be overrun but if it was one thing that will give it a run for its money it is, in my opinion, Bollywood films.

Horvath Post #1

The biggest ramification of the media content being controlled by a few transnational conglomerates is the lack of diversity and the smaller companies being over run. While the media content being controlled by the “Big 5” leads to more diversity than if it was only controlled by one conglomerate, but being under all Western influence it leaves out for example, the Eastern view. I believe it is fair to say that Western media shapes the global news media, take for example CNN. CNN played a major part in integrating the media systems in former socialist countries, bringing them into the Western fold. With all the bureau’s CNN opened around the world it gave them the ability to report on the spot thus giving CNN the ability to influence international public opinion and even contribute to the influence the actions of people involved in the events being covered. CNN was the first station to be able to report straight from the “battlefield.” Without CNN doing so in 1991 most of the people would go about their business with little news about what was happening during the wars. It was inevitable that CNN would have major influence over international viewers when they were the only ones doing so. Today, CNN is not the only international media source but it lead the way for Western news media to invade the international markets. With the Big 5 influencing being primarily Western, the Western news media has shaped the global news agenda.

Everything good must come to an end...

Well, today is the last day for graded blog posts.. perhaps I may continue blogging... with no grade attatched! Arizona's new immigration law has definitely caused a huge controversy all over the world. We spent a good 15 minutes discussing it in Philosphy today. How would you feel if you lived in a foreign country and they were harrassing you left and right to see your papers. I have not decided my thoughts on the new law or not... I'm waiting to see how it pans out before jumping to conclussions... because I can see both side of the story...

read the article here


Chao for now!

KSU is going green.

K-State was listed in the "Princeton Review's Guide to 286 Green Colleges." To some, that won't seem like much, but to others it means a lot. More and more teenagers are starting to care more about the environment. So K-State will have one up on all the other colleges in Kansas if being green is definitely something they are looking for. The article on cjonline.com had a very clever lead: "Move over, purple. Kansas State University is going green." At first you almost think the article might be about KSU changing their school colors, so it makes you definitely want to keep reading to find out what the article is really about.

To read more about KSU going green click here

I just Topeka'ed you...

In response to Topeka renaming itself Google, Kansas for the month of March, Google has decided to rename themselves Topeka for all day on April 1st. Google, I'm sorry I mean Topeka, has stated that these act has no influence on what cities will be chosen as test sites for the fiber optic experiment, they simply just wanted to get in on the fun and share a joke with Topeka, KS (since March is over in all... back to Topeka we go). Even if this gesture by Google, or Topeka if you will, do not have any effect on the outcome of the fiber optics experiment it shows that Topeka has a great sense of humor and recognizes how bad the community of Topeka wants to be apart of the experiment!

When in doubt, remember what Mayor Bunten said, "all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones." So if you are planning on moving out of Kansas... beware that no matter where you go... you will ALWAYS end up back in Kansas!

Did I confuse anyone else as much as myself with the use of Google and Topeka simultaneously and having no idea which one I was referring to?

For more on the name change: http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-04-01/google_gag_tickles_topeka
visit Topeka's blog to see what they have to say: http://www.googleblog.blogspot.com

Death by barbed wire.. Ouch!

A Wichita girl was injured in a golf cart accident on Wednesday night when she crashed into a barbed wire fence. She died on Friday morning at the age of 14. If you have ever nicked your leg on some barbed wire you know how much that hurts. I can't imagine actually crashing into a barbed wire fence. Two of the girls friends that were with her were even unable to untangle her from the fence. I can not imagine being stuck, laying and waiting until help arrived. It's so sad that people die at such young ages...

For more information on this accident visit: http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-03-19/golf_cart_mishap_kills_wich_girl

Say Goodbye...

The Legislation approved a bill that outlaws chemicals added to herms to mimic illegal drugs. These drugs, like K2, can be smoked to get the same effects as smoking marijuana. The bill also outlaws chemicals that mimic the effect of Ecstacy. The bill passed with a 37-1 voting record. Kansas had previously made it legal to purchase herbs with additive chemicals to mimic marijuana, such as K2. For some, it was fun while it lasted.

For more information on this bill see the article from The Kansas City Star: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/02/25/1773911/ban-on-synthetic-pot-sent-to-kansas.html

Don't do it... resist the urge.

According to an article on cjonline.com the Kansas Senate passed a bill today,Friday, that texting while driving is illegal. The first offense would be a traffic violation and the second offense would be considered a misdemeanor along with a uniform fine of $100. The question I rise is, how are they going to know if you are texting or not? From personal observation I have noticed most people look into the laps while texting and driving, not hold the phone up in the air for everyone to see. While this bill is moving in the right direction I think it would have made more sense to ban using a phone while driving period. Most of the people not paying attention while driving are either on their phone or just so extremly old that they should no longer be driving, no offense. Kansas would not have been the first state to ban the use of a cell phone while in the car.

To read more about the new texting ban visit: http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-02-19/texting_ban_passes

Topeka says goodbye to jobs while Lenexa welcomes 220.

According to an article from cjonline.com Topeka has cut the jobs of six employees while eliminating over 36 currently vacant jobs as well. While another article from cjonline.com states that a collection agency plans to build a call center in Lenexa that would offer 220 jobs. I found these two articles very ironic. Many companies have been experiencing the impact of the recession in their business, but others are thriving. The collection agencies have their hands full with people of go after for their clients, mainly banks. I would say that both of the leads were written effectively, they both got straight to the point without giving away all the information so that the reader would continue to read. On a personal side note, layoffs are very stressful on everyone; the employer, the employees and the employees family. My dad works for Sprint, so my family has been through the ringer every time layoffs come around. This last cycle of layoffs my dad was actually told he was going to be laid off and that in two weeks it would be last day. His last week working at Sprint his boss called him into his office. He informed my dad that he would not be leaving, that they had simply made a mistake by thinking they didn’t need him. That decision, probably effective my dad and my family more than originally being let go to begin with.

To find out more about these articles visit:
http://cjonline.com/news/2010-02-11/city_cuts_jobs_more_could_come

http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-02-12/lenexa_call_center_offers_220_jobs

What the Unexpectable Brings...

As everyone has heard by now, the earthquake devastated many Haitians. But what people do not realize is the good that has come from the earthquake. The Haiti government believes that once a Haitian leaves his country and becomes an American citizen that he is voluntarily renouncing his birthplace.But now, after the earthquake, the tables have turned. The people of Haiti are relying on people that were once shunned, to come back and help rebuild their country. And even though they were once shunned, they are responding to their plea for help in masses. So while the earthquake has caused tremendous damage, it has also helped to restore peace and allow those who have not been allowed to visit their country, as anything but other than tourists, come back and unite as one to rebuild their beloved country.

More information on this topic can be find at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/us/04diaspora.html?pagewanted=1&ref=us

Jeans For Teens.

So, here goes with my first blog.

I got a text from a good friend today informing me about the teens for jeans organization and a project they have going on right now. You can go to Aeropostale and donate your jeans to homeless teenagers. However, right now the first 100,000 donated will be donated to those in Haiti, but here is the kicker... Aeropostale will match the 100,00 donated jeans! And you receive 25% a pair of new jeans at Aeropostale after donating a pair. I don't know about everyone else, but I definitely have a couple (like ten) pairs of jeans just laying in my closet that I hardly ever wear. Why not give them to a good cause and help out those in Haiti. If this disaster happened here, wouldn't you want people to help us out? Check out jeansforteens.com to learn more!