Thursday, October 12, 2006
Media Exercise 2: Aljazeera
Group 5:
Jill Selman
Sonia Knowles
Lynne Sullivant
Josh Amstutz
Aljazeera news service claims to provide "people with a refreshing new perspective on global events." In undertaking this role, the news service also claims that it embraces objectivity, accuracy, and a passion for truth. However, Aljazeera faces a credibility problem as it negotiates a range of challenges to deliver news within the political, cultural and economic dynamics of the Middle East.
Jill Selman
Sonia Knowles
Lynne Sullivant
Josh Amstutz
Aljazeera news service claims to provide "people with a refreshing new perspective on global events." In undertaking this role, the news service also claims that it embraces objectivity, accuracy, and a passion for truth. However, Aljazeera faces a credibility problem as it negotiates a range of challenges to deliver news within the political, cultural and economic dynamics of the Middle East.
- How did Aljazeera evolve as a news service that serves both regional and global audiences?
- Under what media philosophy does Aljazeera operate within the Middle East context and how is this philosophy reflected in its regional and global news coverage?
- How is Aljazeera perceived internationally?
- How does Aljazeera balance economic and ideological pressures to meet its professional and ethical goals?
- What economic, cultural and political challenges does Aljazeera face in establishing itself as an objective, accurate and truthful media service for its diverse audiences?
One way of addressing this focus is to assign each person in your group with a question. Make certain that you answer the questions as fully as possible by consulting a range of sources.
The following resources will get you started:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5D7F956E-6B52-46D9-8D17-448856D01CDB.htm
http://www.allied-media.com/aljazeera/
http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/09/121885.php
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Al_Jazeera
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-1892464,00.html
Your deadline to submit these responses is: Friday, October 20, at 5pm. However, you should post your comments as soon as possible so people can comment to assist you develop a clear and comprehensive understanding of the issues.
ACCC can block media mergers
THE competition watchdog said today it could still block mergers between media companies even if they met tests under proposed media ownership rules.
The controversial bills amending media ownership laws were passed by the Senate yesterday.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Graeme Samuel said the regulator could block the mergers under the Trade Practices Act (TPA).
"There are two or three safeguards against a concentration of diversity that have been built into these laws, two of which are new; that's the five/four law and the two-out-of-three law," Mr Samuel told the National Commercial Radio Conference in Sydney today.
"One that has been there for 32 years is the Section 50 of the Trade Practices Act that says that mergers should not be allowed to proceed if it is likely to lead to a substantial lessening of competition.
The controversial bills amending media ownership laws were passed by the Senate yesterday.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Graeme Samuel said the regulator could block the mergers under the Trade Practices Act (TPA).
"There are two or three safeguards against a concentration of diversity that have been built into these laws, two of which are new; that's the five/four law and the two-out-of-three law," Mr Samuel told the National Commercial Radio Conference in Sydney today.
"One that has been there for 32 years is the Section 50 of the Trade Practices Act that says that mergers should not be allowed to proceed if it is likely to lead to a substantial lessening of competition.
IBM shifts procurement to China
IBM is transferring its chief purchasing operations to China, a move that highlights Asia's growing importance in the global supply chain.The decision to transfer its chief procurement office from New York to Shenzhen marks the first time the headquarters of a global IBM division has been located outside the US, the company said in a statement.
The leading American technology and software group began shifting its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Tokyo to China's commercial hub of Shanghai in 2004, a process it completed earlier this year.
It also has major research, software, hardware and computer services operations in India which make it that nation's sixth largest technology-related employer.
The addition of its global procurement office to Shenzhen, where it has operated for over a decade and many of its 1850 employees in Asia are based, is aimed at reshaping the company's supply base in the region, IBM said.
The firm that revolutionised office work with electronic typewriters and then personal computers collaborates with 3000 suppliers across Asia that account for about 30 per cent of the $US40 billion ($53 billion) IBM spends on annual procurement.
The leading American technology and software group began shifting its Asia-Pacific headquarters from Tokyo to China's commercial hub of Shanghai in 2004, a process it completed earlier this year.
It also has major research, software, hardware and computer services operations in India which make it that nation's sixth largest technology-related employer.
The addition of its global procurement office to Shenzhen, where it has operated for over a decade and many of its 1850 employees in Asia are based, is aimed at reshaping the company's supply base in the region, IBM said.
The firm that revolutionised office work with electronic typewriters and then personal computers collaborates with 3000 suppliers across Asia that account for about 30 per cent of the $US40 billion ($53 billion) IBM spends on annual procurement.
