Media Blog 1 (Frankly)

  Introduction and background reading  Read  this Vox article on what makes Zendaya a great celebrity . Answer the following questions: 1) What was the 2015 Oscar controversy involving Zendaya?  But she didn’t become really famous — mainstream famous, you’re-allowed-to-get-away-with-only-using-one-name-because-you’re-just-that-famous famous — until the 2015 Oscars. That was when Zendaya, age 19, happened to appear on the red carpet in a white silk gown, with her hair in dreadlocks — and on E’s  Fashion Police , Giuliana Rancic commented, “That hair is swallowing her. I feel like she smells like patchouli oil.” An offscreen (and never-identified) voice added, “Or weed.” 2) How did Zendaya control the narrative of that controversy? Outrage followed thick and fast, with commenters across the internet decrying the  Fashion Police  segment as racist.   And in the ensuing controversy, Zendaya could easily have let those commenters position her as the passive victim of Rancic’s ignorance. Ins

  1) How has YouTube "democratised media creativity"? "The YouTube platform has democratised media creativity, with ordinary users uploading their own content: they are ‘produsers’ (producer-users) and ‘prosumers’ (producer-consumers). Content is published first and then filtered or judged later by audiences. So, success is measured by the number of views and the reaction of the ‘fans’ rather than the judgement and financial power of an industry editor/producer." 2) How does YouTube and social media culture act as a form of cultural imperialism or 'Americanisation'?  "In the 1960s Marshall McLuhan described how the world was shrinking, becoming more interconnected due to technological progress. For him, improved communications turned the world into a global village, and this was decades before the internet. Not all famous YouTubers, like Emma Chamberlain, are American but Americans certainly make up the majority. The universality of the English language

  Media Magazine reading 1) Looking over the article as a whole, what are some of the positive developments due to the internet highlighted by Bill Thompson? The ability to "email and exchange files with people at other universities." "Access to a way to talk to hundreds of thousands of other computer users around the world." "at the same time to be acutely aware of what it is, how it works, and how to ensure it is a tool for active citizenship, free expression and social justice, rather than one for oppression, surveillance, control and repression." "The network connects us to other people, it provides a great source of information, it can be used for campaigning and political action, to draw attention to abuses and fight for human rights. It’s a great place for gaming and education, which can also be used to make a lot of money (for a few people) as well as a place where you can meet your friends." 2) What are the negatives or dangers linked to