Manipulating Media Project 2 presentation

Team ZeusTom Bannister -Team Leader

Zak Testa- Production and DisseminationClaire Boyle – Researcher

Ben West – Content Creation

Introduction

Our chosen question:• If public figures make comments

that are recorded but not intended for broadcast, is it correct that their comments are broadcast and that they face the consequences for the comments?

• Are the people responsible for these negative comments are the ones to blame?

• Or are the people who broadcast these comments the ones to blame?

• Is this the same thing if the comment is positive?

If a political leader was to say something positive about an opposing party, could this still have negative repercussions?

Reasons for publicising recorded comments

• Many people would agree that these public figures should face consequences for their negative comments.

• Public figures should be making good examples to the public. The public should know what is being said behind closed doors

• These public figures should know better and keep their opinions to themselves, and should be aware of the consequences for making these comments.

• A comment made by a public figure could make a huge influence on public opinion.

Reasons against publicising recordings

• People have the right to freedom of speech and their own opinions even if their opinions may be considered offensive.

• Public speakers have the right to privacy, if they are being recorded without their knowledge they should have the final say in whether or not that recording gets released.

Liberal Democrat Vincent Cable spoke out against the coalition and Rupert Murdoch without knowledge of journalist recordings. He has since withdrawn from his role as business secretary because of this scandal.

Guidelines for secret recordings

• The BBC has in place the Editors Guidelines for when secret recordings are used such as:

• The use of hidden cameras• Recording telephone calls

without permission• The general and deliberate use

of any kind of audio/visual recordings

Examples• Gordon Brown has apologised after

being caught on microphone describing a voter he had just spoken to in Rochdale as a “bigoted woman”

• ‘Mrs Duffy said after hearing of Mr Brown’s comments: “I’m very upset. He’s an educated person. Why has he come out with words like that?’ and was also quoted saying ‘He’s supposed to be leading the country’

Gordon Brown upon hearing the playback.

Sky Sports presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys get dropped from their Monday night programme after sexist comments made about a female assistant referee

‘Sky sports presenter Richard Keys has apologised to assistant referee Sian Massey for the sexist comments he made about her’ The two men were punished for their comments but was this adequate punishment? It was very unprofessional and sexist, therefore why should they be allowed to continue working in this sector? Or did people take these comments made too serious?

Our Argument

• We think information should be shared differently depending on its context. For example, if the recorded comments could potentially be dangerous to the public, or contradicts what that person represents then that information should be publicised so the public can see the true opinions of these public figures and that these figures face the appropriate consequences.

However, if the recorded message is interfering in a person’s personal life or has no public interest, it should be kept secret and their personal lives should be respected.

The masses are dependent on the media to supply them with everyday news, therefore it becomes a source that people trust and will use to form opinions. The media can work on a make or break basis, public figures can be made to look like the perfect idols but can also be made to look the opposite in a short space of time.

• The stories portrayed by the media don’t always represent the truth. A common form of media manipulation is suppression by omission. This means that parts of a story are left out and sometimes these can include vital details that could sway the public’s opinion.

Thank you for Viewing

References:

Anon. (2010) BBC Editorial Guidelines [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/page/guidelines-privacy-practices-secret-recording/ [Accessed 16th February 2011]

Anon. (2010) Gordon Brown ‘Bigoted Woman’ Comment Caught On Tape [online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8649012.stm [Accessed 16th February 2011]

Borland, H (2011) Andy Gray Sacked After Sexist Remarks [online] Available at: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Article/201009115910480 [Accessed 16th February 2011]

Porter. A, Watt. H and Winnett. R (2010) Vince Cable Stripped Of Responsibility For Media Competition After Rupert Murdoch Comments [online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/liberaldemocrats/8218006/Vince-Cable-stripped-of-responsibilty-for-media-competition-after-Rupert-Murdoch-comments.html