Aim of Page: Discuss News & Politics in relation to New Media - for example, how are current politicians utilising new media in their campaigns? (Discussed in lecture last week) Also related this to other topics that you may find relevant.
Ukranian activists have been rallying recently over fears that the country's journalist's freedom of speech may be under threat. After the 2004 - 2005 "Orange Revolution" that took place in Ukraine (which has even been turned into a movie!) the citizens of Ukraine thought they could rest easy knowing that the outcome of the Orange Revolution had provided them with changes to Ukraine for the better. However, the US embassy in Kiev, as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are taking away broadcasting rights from two Ukranian television news channels TVi and 5 Kanal, the only channels left in the Ukraine offering fair, balanced and unbiased news.
A band of Ukranian journalists have now founded the "Stop Censorship!" movement in an attempt to "to defend freedom of expression and prevent what they say is censorship in the country," (Radio Free Europe, 2010). Savik Shuster, a controversial Ukranian news-based talk-show host says that "you don't get a picture of what is happening," (Stern, 2010) meaning that he feels the Ukraine is becoming less and less informed of what's really going on in their country and instead are being fed a biased, softened version in order to influence their opinions.
I think this relates heavily to this week's topic of the "digital divide" and the concept of new media in different geographical areas. In Australia, we're lucky enough to have the freedom of speech when it comes to the media. Potentially, a journalist can say whatever they want about any subject and convey this to a mass audience, via television, radio or the internet. We're also lucky to have sources of fair and biased news available to us. We obviously know the sorts of media that aren't trustworthy (A Current Affair, Today Tonight) but for the most part, we have news outlets we can trust to get the unbiased facts from. This is obviously not the case everywhere around the world.
Quality Internet is a hot topic in Australia. When the Australian Government announced in 2009 that it would establish a new company to build and operate a new high speed National Broadband Network – Australian’s were expecting results (Best 2007). But the problem is that the infrastructure is not capable of rolling out such a scheme, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Outlook 2007 Report finding that Australia's broadband was among the world's most expensive and among the slowest (Best 2007). This is concerning considering over half of Australian’s are considered heavy Internet users (Smith 2008).
It appears that despite the many promises, the Australian Government simply does not value Internet access as a right. I do not believe that this is such an outrageous claim either; as it appears that the Australian Government only values the Internet as something that requires control and restrictions. I am sure you are all familiar with Senator Conroy’s intentions to introduce an Internet filtering scheme that would prevent certain ISP’s and servers from being accessed. Combine this scheme with the existing issues with our Internet and it is easy to see the problem. There is a serious breakdown between the geography of new media in Australian and politics. Bungled policy is getting in the way of fair Internet access for Australian’s.
One country that is leading the way is Finland, where in 2009 the Ministry of Transport and Communications has made Web access a legal right (Reisinger 2009). The important distinction between a legal right and a human right is that Finnish policy has caught up with the technology revolution and ensured that new media is fairly accessible to all of its citizens, regardless of the geographical boundaries that exist. It means that the government is legally responsible for upgrading infrastructure to ensure that all citizens have access. Contrast this with France, who has made Internet access a human right. This stops short of making the French Government legally responsible and having to actually do anything, but at least they are stepping in the right direction.
It is time that the Government recognise that the geography of new media and politics are inevitably linked. So yes, there are many obstacles to overcome. We are a large nation spread across barren and often unmanageable land. But this does not excuse the poor standard of Internet speed and the inequality of access that currently exists. The Australian Government needs to recognise Internet access as a legal right to ensure that policy-makers take their role seriously and starting delivering what they have promised.
Tony Abbott has recently announced that he plans to create a whistle blower website similar to Wikileaks, in that the Australian public will be able to dob in the Government for wasting funds. He states that, “It will be called the Waste Action Website, and it is an opportunity for the public to stop the waste by government at all levels. We want the public to dob in the government if they believe it is wasting their money. It is another way to help to ensure government is accountable. It will be both a place for anonymous tips and for those wanting to make direct contact for their complaint.’’ (Wright, 2010). The website Wikileaks, which “publishes and comments on leaked documents alleging government and corporate misconduct” (Wikipedia, 2010) has recently received a lot of bad publicity in the media. In particular, news has surrounded security concerns by the U.S. Pentagon as Wikileaks’ plans to release “15, 000 more classified files on the Afghan war” (Lowther, 2010).
Considering the negative publicity that Wikileaks has received recently, I personally think that this announcement is the wrong way to show that Tony Abbott will have a fair government for Australian’s. In addition to this, if he is setting up a media platform solely made for Australian’s to complain, it gives out the impression that the LNP is deemed to waste taxpayers money.
Re: Abbott to create an Australian Wikileaks Website
I think Amanda has raised a really good point about the Wikileaks website. I personally believe in an accountable government, but I'm not sure that one sponsored by the LNP would actually allow for proper accountability. It needs to be run and funded by an independent Australian organisation. One has to wonder though, with wikileaks such as this: Youtube Video I'm almost scared to find out what our Government is hiding from us.
Please note, before watching this video be warned that it does contain quite upsetting material leaked from the US Army on a mission. I would strongly advise that if you are sensitive to material that contains scenes of murder and violence, then do not watch this video.
- Katherine Buckley, August 15, 2010 (Response to article "Abbott to create an Australian Wikileaks Website)
What is playing on the Prime Minister’s iPod?
Whenever election time comes around it seems that everyone in Australia goes a little politically insane, and with good reason if you ask me. To be honest I can’t really pinpoint anything interesting that has happened this time round, but the same can’t be said for when Obama was sworn in.
If you think back to 2008 when Obama was elected, the Rolling Stones magazine released an interview about what was playing on Obama's iPod, as apart of his election campaign.
It is important to highlight the three main purposes this interview served…
1. For the Rolling Stones to tie music into their endorsement of President Obama, through the use of a popular new media gadget. 2. Allowed Obama to engage with his potential and existing current voters, and to express some of his personality and policies through music. 3. To endorse the iPod – why wasn’t the article called “Obama’s favourite tunes of 2008”
The carefully comprised list of songs reflected a side of Obama the American public hadn’t yet had the chance to see. The playlist utilise music as a tool to communicate the message of problems facing the country, rather than your typical speech. The playlist included one of his political season favorites, Bob Dylan’s Maggie’s farm “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric” Obama said. Hugely successful businessman and rap artist Jay-Z was also featured on the list to showcase the rap culture that his daughters enjoy.
In fact so many people were interested in critiquing and knowing what songs made the list, Apple released an album with all the tracks on it, playing on the notion of collaboration. So not only did Obama get the thumbs up from the public, the Rolling Stones sold millions of copies and Apple’s iTunes store made a killing; all in the name of collaboration and new media. However, it seems that Obama is a little iPod obsessed, after reading an article in the Sydney Morning Herald; Barack Obama gives the Queen an iPod, yes you read correctly.
It just goes to show how something as simple as the iPod has gone from being typically an entertainment device into a tool for socio-cultural exchange and capital. So may be if our own politicians embraced new media in their campaigns we would have a distinct winner (well maybe not, but you get the point)
On the note of caring about what is playing on Obama's playlist, did anyone notice the devoted interest to Michelle Obama's fashions? In the same vein that Apple and Rolling Stones stood to make a lot of money and publicity on the back of Obama's celebrity, fashion blogs and labels have dedicated entire weeks to following what the First Lady is wearing. As can be seen at a few of these sites: New York Fashion, Harpers Bazaar , it's interesting to examine the influence that politics can have in other aspects of New Media.
Even in Australia, we can't help but criticise and comment on what our politicians are wearing, although I do wish they would wear a bit more...
Katherine Buckley, 30 August 2010.
Re: Re: What is playing on the Prime Minister's iPod?
I'm glad you mentioned the worldwide obsession with Michelle Obama's outfits, Katherine, because she recently made the 2010 Vanity Fair Best Dressed List in their always fashioned focussed and very thick September issue. A quote from an article on News Provider states "First Lady Michelle Obama is at her forth appearance in a row in the Vanity Fair Best-Dressed List due to her unique elegant style. Mrs. Obama is famous for her cardigans, her high hair and kitten-heel pumps, her belts and gorgeous dresses that suit her so well," (De Lys, 2010). She has also been said as bringing back the right to "bare arms", as her svelte arms are usually kept bare in simple, sleeveless shift dresses, usually from American designers.
However, Mrs Obama isn't the only first lady making a fashion statement. Also on the Vanity Fair 2010 Best Dressed List was the wife of the French president and former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and British Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron. An article on the American Today Show's website states "They don’t call them first ladies for nothing. Michelle Obama, France’s Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the United Kingdom’s Samantha Cameron top Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List for 2010," (Marsh, 2010). With their outfits dominating the magazine, newspaper and internet (including the websites of major fashion conglomerates and style blogs), as well as designers lining up to dress the First Ladies (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, designers of cult American label The Row have claimed that they would love to dress Michelle Obama - Ashley quoting "I’d love to get Michelle Obama in the Row. The simple suits and things," (Keifer, 2010) it seems that these presidential wives are making a huge impact on the world, not through supporting their powerful husbands or through their avid charity work, but through their fashion choices. And the providers and consumers of new media seem to be loving this new breed of style icon!
-Sophie Kassay.
References:
De Lys, F. 2010. Vanity Fair Best Dressed List: Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga!. News Provider. http://www.providingnews.com/vanity-fair-best-dressed-list-michelle-obama-and-lady-gaga.html (Accessed August 30, 2010).
Marsh, L. 2010. First ladies, Lady Gaga on Vanity Fair Best-Dressed List. Fashion & Beauty on Today. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38525034/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/ (Accessed August 30, 2010).
Kiefer, H. 2010. The Olsen Twins Want To Dress Michelle Obama, Filthy Hippie Chic To Sweep Nation. The FAB Life. http://www.thefablife.com/2010-08-11/the-olsen-twins-want-to-dress-michelle-obama-filthy-hippie-chic-to-sweep-nation/ (Accessed August 30, 2010).
The Magnificant Seven Bestowed with Re-Booting the Internet
Last week it was revealed that in the case of a cyber attack, seven individuals have been given the keys necessary to re-boot the internet. Cyber attacks have occurred previously with Twitter and Baidu unwillingly re-directing users towards a black screen displaying a green flag displaying the words: “This site has been hacked by the Iranian Cyber Army” (Pearce, 2010). In light of these sorts of attacks the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the ruling body that regulates internet addresses, has implemented a system to affectively re-boot the internet. This system involves seven key holders, five which are needed to complete this process, spread over three continents. Pearce describes them as “an elite international circle of trust charged with restarting the internet in the event of a global catastrophe” (Pearce, 2010). These keys hold encryption codes which are able to restart the DNS system should it be compromised. Each is contained in a tamper proof bag, in secret locations, under strict security (Hadhazy, 2010). As the world continues to engage in social interacts via the internet the threat of cyber warfare is believed to become ever increasing.
After French first lady Carla Bruni publicly signed a petition to help free Iranian woman Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani from death by stoning she has received some pretty serious backlash from the Iranian media. The Age reported "A hardline Iranian daily stepped up its attack on France's First Lady, Carla Bruni, saying on Tuesday the "Italian prostitute" deserved to die for supporting an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning," (Deshmukh, 2010).
Throughout the article, Iran's State Media "Kayhan" (Thomson-DeVaux, 2010) compares Bruni to Mohammadi-Ashtiani, the woman up for the death sentence by stoning, by saying that they both deserve death because they are 'immoral' and have both participated in adulterous relationships. Bruni openly criticized the stoning sentence to the media saying: "Why shed your blood and deprive your children of their mother? Because you have lived, because you have loved, because you're a woman, and because you're an Iranian? Everything within me refuses to accept this," (Deshmukh, 2010). Iranian news website www.inn.ir also proclaimed Bruni to be a "husband cheater".
If we want to talk about shoddy media practices, the media of Iran is clearly the poster child. They are clearly allowing their personal beliefs as a society to interfere with accurate reporting. Here in Australia, a newspaper could not make an accusation that somebody was a "prostitute" or "adulterous" (unless perhaps it was a tabloid magazine), but this is Iran's top media platform and splashed all over it is bias, misogyny and blatantly demeaning comments. It is one thing if these allegations are an interviewees opinion, in which place they could be covered by a newspaper as long as the other side was presented to keep the article fair, but for the newspaper itself to make these claims defies every journalistic code of ethics in existence.
Video games have a history of promoting violence, drugs and sex. Among westernised capitalistic countries, Australia stands alone by not having a R18+ rating for video games. The consequence being that games are altered or excluded altogether from the Australian market. One example is a 2008 release called Fallout 3. The OFLC in Australia refused the original release of Fallout because of the realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method. After changes were made, more specifically changing morphine to be called 'Med-X', the game was a huge hit worldwide.
The history behind the absence of an extreme rating is embedded within Australian politics. King and Delfabbro explain that for the law to be passed "in order for the R 18+ rating to be introduced, there must be a consensus of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) (2010, 9). Currently South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson is the only Attorney General to oppose and stands strongly against the idea and has so for numerous years. He is quoted saying "this is a carefully considered position I have held for six years and, although in the past I may have been a lone voice on this matter, other attorneys-general may now be coming to the same view'' (Advertiser, 2008).
In my opinion, politicians are meant to listen to the public and what the public demand. It seems that Michael Atkinson is turning the issue into a personal battle. Gamers, however do not help themselves in the situation. Sometimes gamers can be quite hypocritical in their actions while debating for an R18+ rating. For example, quoting Michael Atkinson again, "about two o'clock in the morning I had a threatening note from a gamer shoved under my door. The reason that I think interactive games are different is that in interactive games the person playing is doing the actions and I therefore think it has a higher impact - impact has always been a consideration in censorship or classification, call it what you will" (ABC Premium News 2010).
The following video shows various politicians' views on the lack of an Australian R18+ rating. It is interesting to note that some take quite a personal viewpoint, rather than professional. I have already stated my opinion, however I am intrigued on others as well. Is it fair that one Attorney General at a SCAG meeting can determine the vote? Does anyone else think there should/should not be an extreme rating in Australia?
Tom Stallman
References
King, D and Delfabbro, P. 2010. Should Australia have an R18+ classification for video games. Youth Studies Australia. 29 (1): 9-17
n.a. 2009. R-rating plan for games rejected.Advertiser, The Adelaide
n.a. 2010. 'Attorney-General Steps up Fight with gamers' in ABC Premium News
Current Affairs and Politics
Aim of Page: Discuss News & Politics in relation to New Media - for example, how are current politicians utilising new media in their campaigns? (Discussed in lecture last week) Also related this to other topics that you may find relevant.
"New media freedom battle grips Ukraine"
Ukranian activists have been rallying recently over fears that the country's journalist's freedom of speech may be under threat. After the 2004 - 2005 "Orange Revolution" that took place in Ukraine (which has even been turned into a movie!) the citizens of Ukraine thought they could rest easy knowing that the outcome of the Orange Revolution had provided them with changes to Ukraine for the better. However, the US embassy in Kiev, as well as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are taking away broadcasting rights from two Ukranian television news channels TVi and 5 Kanal, the only channels left in the Ukraine offering fair, balanced and unbiased news.A band of Ukranian journalists have now founded the "Stop Censorship!" movement in an attempt to "to defend freedom of expression and prevent what they say is censorship in the country," (Radio Free Europe, 2010). Savik Shuster, a controversial Ukranian news-based talk-show host says that "you don't get a picture of what is happening," (Stern, 2010) meaning that he feels the Ukraine is becoming less and less informed of what's really going on in their country and instead are being fed a biased, softened version in order to influence their opinions.
I think this relates heavily to this week's topic of the "digital divide" and the concept of new media in different geographical areas. In Australia, we're lucky enough to have the freedom of speech when it comes to the media. Potentially, a journalist can say whatever they want about any subject and convey this to a mass audience, via television, radio or the internet. We're also lucky to have sources of fair and biased news available to us. We obviously know the sorts of media that aren't trustworthy (A Current Affair, Today Tonight) but for the most part, we have news outlets we can trust to get the unbiased facts from. This is obviously not the case everywhere around the world.
York Zimmerman Inc. 2007. Orange Revolution. http://www.orangerevolutionmovie.com/ (Accessed 2nd August, 2010).
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 2010. OSCE Home. http://www.osce.org/ (Accessed 2nd August, 2010).Wikipedia. 2010. 5 Kanal (Ukraine). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_Kanal_%28Ukraine%29 (Accessed 2nd August, 2010).
Stern, D. 2010. New media freedom battle grips Ukraine. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10817344 (Accessed 2nd August, 2010).
Radio Free Europe. 2010. Communications/Journalists In Trouble: Stop Censorship. http://www.rferl.org/content/journalists_in_trouble_stop_censorship/2052132.html (Accessed 2nd August, 2010).
-Sophie Kassay, August 2nd 2010
Where has all the good Internet gone?
Quality Internet is a hot topic in Australia. When the Australian Government announced in 2009 that it would establish a new company to build and operate a new high speed National Broadband Network – Australian’s were expecting results (Best 2007). But the problem is that the infrastructure is not capable of rolling out such a scheme, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Outlook 2007 Report finding that Australia's broadband was among the world's most expensive and among the slowest (Best 2007). This is concerning considering over half of Australian’s are considered heavy Internet users (Smith 2008).
It appears that despite the many promises, the Australian Government simply does not value Internet access as a right. I do not believe that this is such an outrageous claim either; as it appears that the Australian Government only values the Internet as something that requires control and restrictions. I am sure you are all familiar with Senator Conroy’s intentions to introduce an Internet filtering scheme that would prevent certain ISP’s and servers from being accessed. Combine this scheme with the existing issues with our Internet and it is easy to see the problem. There is a serious breakdown between the geography of new media in Australian and politics. Bungled policy is getting in the way of fair Internet access for Australian’s.
One country that is leading the way is Finland, where in 2009 the Ministry of Transport and Communications has made Web access a legal right (Reisinger 2009). The important distinction between a legal right and a human right is that Finnish policy has caught up with the technology revolution and ensured that new media is fairly accessible to all of its citizens, regardless of the geographical boundaries that exist. It means that the government is legally responsible for upgrading infrastructure to ensure that all citizens have access. Contrast this with France, who has made Internet access a human right. This stops short of making the French Government legally responsible and having to actually do anything, but at least they are stepping in the right direction.
It is time that the Government recognise that the geography of new media and politics are inevitably linked. So yes, there are many obstacles to overcome. We are a large nation spread across barren and often unmanageable land. But this does not excuse the poor standard of Internet speed and the inequality of access that currently exists. The Australian Government needs to recognise Internet access as a legal right to ensure that policy-makers take their role seriously and starting delivering what they have promised.
References:
• Best, J., (2007). Australian broadband among world’s worst: OECD. http://www.zdnet.com.au/australian-broadband-among-world-s-worst-oecd-339280104.htm (Accessed August 2, 2010).
• Reisinger, D. (2009)., Finland makes 1Mb broadband access a legal right. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10374831-2.html (Accessed August 2, 2010).
• Smith, K. (2008). Australian Internet Access – How Good Is It? http://blogs.educationau.edu.au/ksmith/2008/12/17/australian-internet-access-how-good-is-it/ (Accessed August 2, 2010).
By Katherine Buckley, August 8 2010.
Abbott to create an Australian Wikileaks website
Tony Abbott has recently announced that he plans to create a whistle blower website similar to Wikileaks, in that the Australian public will be able to dob in the Government for wasting funds. He states that, “It will be called the Waste Action Website, and it is an opportunity for the public to stop the waste by government at all levels. We want the public to dob in the government if they believe it is wasting their money. It is another way to help to ensure government is accountable. It will be both a place for anonymous tips and for those wanting to make direct contact for their complaint.’’ (Wright, 2010). The website Wikileaks, which “publishes and comments on leaked documents alleging government and corporate misconduct” (Wikipedia, 2010) has recently received a lot of bad publicity in the media. In particular, news has surrounded security concerns by the U.S. Pentagon as Wikileaks’ plans to release “15, 000 more classified files on the Afghan war” (Lowther, 2010).
Considering the negative publicity that Wikileaks has received recently, I personally think that this announcement is the wrong way to show that Tony Abbott will have a fair government for Australian’s. In addition to this, if he is setting up a media platform solely made for Australian’s to complain, it gives out the impression that the LNP is deemed to waste taxpayers money.
References:
- Amanda-Joy Evans. August 15, 2010.
Re: Abbott to create an Australian Wikileaks Website
I think Amanda has raised a really good point about the Wikileaks website. I personally believe in an accountable government, but I'm not sure that one sponsored by the LNP would actually allow for proper accountability. It needs to be run and funded by an independent Australian organisation. One has to wonder though, with wikileaks such as this: Youtube Video I'm almost scared to find out what our Government is hiding from us.
Please note, before watching this video be warned that it does contain quite upsetting material leaked from the US Army on a mission. I would strongly advise that if you are sensitive to material that contains scenes of murder and violence, then do not watch this video.
- Katherine Buckley, August 15, 2010 (Response to article "Abbott to create an Australian Wikileaks Website)
What is playing on the Prime Minister’s iPod?Whenever election time comes around it seems that everyone in Australia goes a little politically insane, and with good reason if you ask me. To be honest I can’t really pinpoint anything interesting that has happened this time round, but the same can’t be said for when Obama was sworn in.
If you think back to 2008 when Obama was elected, the Rolling Stones magazine released an interview about what was playing on Obama's iPod, as apart of his election campaign.
It is important to highlight the three main purposes this interview served…
1. For the Rolling Stones to tie music into their endorsement of President Obama, through the use of a popular new media gadget.
2. Allowed Obama to engage with his potential and existing current voters, and to express some of his personality and policies through music.
3. To endorse the iPod – why wasn’t the article called “Obama’s favourite tunes of 2008”
The carefully comprised list of songs reflected a side of Obama the American public hadn’t yet had the chance to see. The playlist utilise music as a tool to communicate the message of problems facing the country, rather than your typical speech. The playlist included one of his political season favorites, Bob Dylan’s Maggie’s farm “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric” Obama said. Hugely successful businessman and rap artist Jay-Z was also featured on the list to showcase the rap culture that his daughters enjoy.
In fact so many people were interested in critiquing and knowing what songs made the list, Apple released an album with all the tracks on it, playing on the notion of collaboration. So not only did Obama get the thumbs up from the public, the Rolling Stones sold millions of copies and Apple’s iTunes store made a killing; all in the name of collaboration and new media. However, it seems that Obama is a little iPod obsessed, after reading an article in the Sydney Morning Herald; Barack Obama gives the Queen an iPod, yes you read correctly.
It just goes to show how something as simple as the iPod has gone from being typically an entertainment device into a tool for socio-cultural exchange and capital.
So may be if our own politicians embraced new media in their campaigns we would have a distinct winner (well maybe not, but you get the point)
By Gemma Lacey
References
Balakhrisnan, A. 2008. Barack Obama reveals his iPod playlist. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/25/barackobama.uselections2008
Unknown,2009. Barack Obama gives the Queen an iPod. Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/barack-obama-gives-the-queen-an-ipod/2009/04/02/1238261692676.html
_
Re: What is playing on the Prime Minister’s iPod?
On the note of caring about what is playing on Obama's playlist, did anyone notice the devoted interest to Michelle Obama's fashions? In the same vein that Apple and Rolling Stones stood to make a lot of money and publicity on the back of Obama's celebrity, fashion blogs and labels have dedicated entire weeks to following what the First Lady is wearing. As can be seen at a few of these sites: New York Fashion, Harpers Bazaar , it's interesting to examine the influence that politics can have in other aspects of New Media.
Even in Australia, we can't help but criticise and comment on what our politicians are wearing, although I do wish they would wear a bit more...
Katherine Buckley, 30 August 2010.
Re: Re: What is playing on the Prime Minister's iPod?
I'm glad you mentioned the worldwide obsession with Michelle Obama's outfits, Katherine, because she recently made the 2010 Vanity Fair Best Dressed List in their always fashioned focussed and very thick September issue. A quote from an article on News Provider states "First Lady Michelle Obama is at her forth appearance in a row in the Vanity Fair Best-Dressed List due to her unique elegant style. Mrs. Obama is famous for her cardigans, her high hair and kitten-heel pumps, her belts and gorgeous dresses that suit her so well," (De Lys, 2010). She has also been said as bringing back the right to "bare arms", as her svelte arms are usually kept bare in simple, sleeveless shift dresses, usually from American designers.
However, Mrs Obama isn't the only first lady making a fashion statement. Also on the Vanity Fair 2010 Best Dressed List was the wife of the French president and former supermodel Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and British Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron. An article on the American Today Show's website states "They don’t call them first ladies for nothing. Michelle Obama, France’s Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the United Kingdom’s Samantha Cameron top Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List for 2010," (Marsh, 2010). With their outfits dominating the magazine, newspaper and internet (including the websites of major fashion conglomerates and style blogs), as well as designers lining up to dress the First Ladies (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, designers of cult American label The Row have claimed that they would love to dress Michelle Obama - Ashley quoting "I’d love to get Michelle Obama in the Row. The simple suits and things," (Keifer, 2010) it seems that these presidential wives are making a huge impact on the world, not through supporting their powerful husbands or through their avid charity work, but through their fashion choices. And the providers and consumers of new media seem to be loving this new breed of style icon!
-Sophie Kassay.
References:
De Lys, F. 2010. Vanity Fair Best Dressed List: Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga!. News Provider. http://www.providingnews.com/vanity-fair-best-dressed-list-michelle-obama-and-lady-gaga.html (Accessed August 30, 2010).
Marsh, L. 2010. First ladies, Lady Gaga on Vanity Fair Best-Dressed List. Fashion & Beauty on Today. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38525034/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/ (Accessed August 30, 2010).
Kiefer, H. 2010. The Olsen Twins Want To Dress Michelle Obama, Filthy Hippie Chic To Sweep Nation. The FAB Life. http://www.thefablife.com/2010-08-11/the-olsen-twins-want-to-dress-michelle-obama-filthy-hippie-chic-to-sweep-nation/ (Accessed August 30, 2010).
The Magnificant Seven Bestowed with Re-Booting the Internet
Last week it was revealed that in the case of a cyber attack, seven individuals have been given the keys necessary to re-boot the internet. Cyber attacks have occurred previously with Twitter and Baidu unwillingly re-directing users towards a black screen displaying a green flag displaying the words: “This site has been hacked by the Iranian Cyber Army” (Pearce, 2010). In light of these sorts of attacks the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the ruling body that regulates internet addresses, has implemented a system to affectively re-boot the internet. This system involves seven key holders, five which are needed to complete this process, spread over three continents. Pearce describes them as “an elite international circle of trust charged with restarting the internet in the event of a global catastrophe” (Pearce, 2010). These keys hold encryption codes which are able to restart the DNS system should it be compromised. Each is contained in a tamper proof bag, in secret locations, under strict security (Hadhazy, 2010). As the world continues to engage in social interacts via the internet the threat of cyber warfare is believed to become ever increasing.The Financial Express. 2010. Cyber Attacks are Becoming a Big Concern. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/--Cyber-attacks-are-becoming-a-big-concern--/677565/ (Accessed 6 September 2010)
Hadhazy, A. 2010. Internet 'key holders' are insurance against cyber attack. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38486293/ns/technology_and_science-science/ (Accessed 26 August 2010)
Pearce, A. 2010. The Sheriffs of the Wild Web. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/the-sheriffs-of-the-wild-web-2055155.html (accessed 25 August 2010)
Audrey -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carla Bruni in trouble with Iran
After French first lady Carla Bruni publicly signed a petition to help free Iranian woman Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani from death by stoning she has received some pretty serious backlash from the Iranian media. The Age reported "A hardline Iranian daily stepped up its attack on France's First Lady, Carla Bruni, saying on Tuesday the "Italian prostitute" deserved to die for supporting an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning," (Deshmukh, 2010).
Throughout the article, Iran's State Media "Kayhan" (Thomson-DeVaux, 2010) compares Bruni to Mohammadi-Ashtiani, the woman up for the death sentence by stoning, by saying that they both deserve death because they are 'immoral' and have both participated in adulterous relationships. Bruni openly criticized the stoning sentence to the media saying: "Why shed your blood and deprive your children of their mother? Because you have lived, because you have loved, because you're a woman, and because you're an Iranian? Everything within me refuses to accept this," (Deshmukh, 2010). Iranian news website www.inn.ir also proclaimed Bruni to be a "husband cheater".
If we want to talk about shoddy media practices, the media of Iran is clearly the poster child. They are clearly allowing their personal beliefs as a society to interfere with accurate reporting. Here in Australia, a newspaper could not make an accusation that somebody was a "prostitute" or "adulterous" (unless perhaps it was a tabloid magazine), but this is Iran's top media platform and splashed all over it is bias, misogyny and blatantly demeaning comments. It is one thing if these allegations are an interviewees opinion, in which place they could be covered by a newspaper as long as the other side was presented to keep the article fair, but for the newspaper itself to make these claims defies every journalistic code of ethics in existence.
Deshmukh, J. 2010. 'Prostitute' Carla Bruni deserves death: Iran media. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/prostitute-carla-bruni-deserves-death-iran-media-20100831-14fpf.html (Accessed September 12, 2010).
Thomson-DeVaux, A. 2010. Iran's State Media Calls Carla Bruni A Prostitute. http://www.care2.com/causes/womens-rights/blog/iranian-newspaper-calls-carla-bruni-a-prostitute/ (Accessed September 12, 2010).
Sophie Kassay.
No R18+ rating for games
Video games have a history of promoting violence, drugs and sex. Among westernised capitalistic countries, Australia stands alone by not having a R18+ rating for video games. The consequence being that games are altered or excluded altogether from the Australian market. One example is a 2008 release called Fallout 3. The OFLC in Australia refused the original release of Fallout because of the realistic visual representations of drugs and their delivery method. After changes were made, more specifically changing morphine to be called 'Med-X', the game was a huge hit worldwide.The history behind the absence of an extreme rating is embedded within Australian politics. King and Delfabbro explain that for the law to be passed "in order for the R 18+ rating to be introduced, there must be a consensus of the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) (2010, 9). Currently South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson is the only Attorney General to oppose and stands strongly against the idea and has so for numerous years. He is quoted saying "this is a carefully considered position I have held for six years and, although in the past I may have been a lone voice on this matter, other attorneys-general may now be coming to the same view'' (Advertiser, 2008).
In my opinion, politicians are meant to listen to the public and what the public demand. It seems that Michael Atkinson is turning the issue into a personal battle. Gamers, however do not help themselves in the situation. Sometimes gamers can be quite hypocritical in their actions while debating for an R18+ rating. For example, quoting Michael Atkinson again, "about two o'clock in the morning I had a threatening note from a gamer shoved under my door. The reason that I think interactive games are different is that in interactive games the person playing is doing the actions and I therefore think it has a higher impact - impact has always been a consideration in censorship or classification, call it what you will" (ABC Premium News 2010).
The following video shows various politicians' views on the lack of an Australian R18+ rating. It is interesting to note that some take quite a personal viewpoint, rather than professional. I have already stated my opinion, however I am intrigued on others as well. Is it fair that one Attorney General at a SCAG meeting can determine the vote? Does anyone else think there should/should not be an extreme rating in Australia?
Tom Stallman
References
King, D and Delfabbro, P. 2010. Should Australia have an R18+ classification for video games. Youth Studies Australia. 29 (1): 9-17
n.a. 2009. R-rating plan for games rejected. Advertiser, The Adelaide
n.a. 2010. 'Attorney-General Steps up Fight with gamers' in ABC Premium News