'State of Play' a cine-forum experience of media ethics

So I live out of home with some friends and we're pretty proactive people.

Last Friday we decided to run a cine-forum for our friends...well we did it the previous month but there wasn't much discussion. We choose a topic and we watch a movie on that topic and then discuss the themes within the movie.

This month the topic was 'Media and Communication' and we watched 'State of Play' with Ben Affleck playing a congressman, and Russell Crowe playing his old college buddy who is now a successful investigative journalist.

It was such a thriller!!! Oh my gosh we were screaming and jumping in our seats- maybe just because we were a bunch of women. It was a great movie and provided a great story to discuss the ethics behind journalism, the fight for the truth and true friendship. I won't ruin the movie if anyone hasn't seen it but I will say some details.

I was able to discuss with people what I learned in my media subject last semester on media ethics and policy as we brought up the idea of ethical practices among journalists. Russell Crowe's character has many connection that allow him to obtain information easily but he often does things that are illegal, or he lies to get information. Often we justify this because of the unique nature of the journalism industry- truth seeking, however the end does not justify the means. BUT WHAT IS THE ANSWER??? 

I believe in an absolute truth. I believe that there are exceptions in certain cases when one good outweighs another but there can't be the whole industry of investigative journalism built on a 'special case'. Look at the Murdoch hacking scandal. No one condones that but at the same time, those that report on this issue take to unethical practices to obtain their information- "covertly recording the conversation." Just look at this:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/07/04/rupert-murdoch-caught-on-tape-talking-about-phone-hacking-scandal.html

In my media presentation on this, many pointed out that it is hard to put into practice any solid media policy reforms because media companies make so much more through unethical practices than any fine that could be placed on them for their behaviour. The competition is too great and it's a dog eat dog world in this industry.

 So what do you think?

 I will post more about these kinds of things in the future but maybe you can get the ball rolling. 

Anyway as a budding journalist I can't say that I've answered the question of ethics and morality in investigative journalism so I'd have to resign myself to something a little less exciting or give up my values. At the moment I'll go with the first- 

Alex

(P.S I love Calvin and Hobbes)

Introducing This Blog: how one person can have no direction

Ain't it all just a dream.

So you might be asking yourself why I am writing this blog. (Probably you're not because I'm talking to no one, hah the beauty of the imagined audience)

Well I am writing it because I love writing...I think. I love the truth.
I love the blog Hyperbole and a Half ... and I think the media has such a wonderful capacity for doing good which, unfortunately, it doesn't harness or it just chooses to harness its ability for not so great things.

I had a few worries starting this. You see I have a lot of things to say about such and such but I cannot think of what my blog would actually be about. My idea is that if my blog has a purpose and a target audience it will be good and successful and people will read it but I can't manage to have a theme or a topic because I see it as too limiting. If anything my blog is based on life and the philosophy behind it. I also would say that for this era in my life it would also be about media, technology and morality- because I am studying Media and Communication.

But this is just the beginning. I am not sure where this will go. I hope it will last and the only way is to keep writing though in some ways it goes against everything I believe about Web 2.0 or the widespread ability to become the new producer.....what I believe can be summed up in the title of a media book 'Triumph of the Airheads: and the retreat from common sense'. 

I don't want to be one of those so be critical and engage.

So shall I start?

Hi my name is Alex- a girl, full first name - Alexandria.
I am a second year student in an Australian university doing a double degree B. Science/Arts....I am not really going greatly in the science section, passes and credits but I am extremely passionate about my arts major MEDIA!!! I love it, I am absorbed by it and I get good marks, which I think is a good indicator.

My favourite book is 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith. I also like ' When You Reach Me' by Rebecca Stead, 'The Screwtape Letters' by C.S Lewis and I'd say 'The Book Thief' by Mark Zusak is pretty darn good.

At this point in my life I don't really have time to watch television and most of it is crap but I love The Simpsons, Miranda (by Miranda Hart for all those who are interested) and Parks and Recreation. I also have a deep love for Disney movies and many other funny movies so you're in for some quoting from these.

It was a handful trying to start this blog because I couldn't find a domain name on Wordpress which I spent a good hour trying to find- I ended up with Damn Your Domain, where I will post most of the same things as here if I can but Wordpress won't allow me to customise my page without paying and I have no money so here I am on Blogspot- I'm happy here.

Any questions or anything just message me and I will try to answer or take requests. I hope to tell some pretty funny stories along the way.

- Alex