Types of Journalism, Mass Media and Communication in History - Essay Example

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication Question One Journalism and mass media communication has for a very long time been considered the eye and ear of the populace (Vaughan and Thomas 395). In a society maligned with so many inequalities where the minority have no say, the mass media will in most cases act helps in sensitization and in pushing the authority to act promptly on the welfare of the masses (Vaughan and Thomas 397). The simple recording of such events is arguably the prerogative of a few individuals tasked with the job. Such individuals are referred to as Journalist or simply put, photojournalists. In such communities polarized by war and inequality, the hopes of the masses lies entirely on the noble men and women tasked with the recording of such acts of injustices (Vaughan and Thomas 400). For instance, the Vietnam War was adequately pictured and recorded by photojournalists and this prompted the international community to react promptly and put an end to these merciless killings (Vaughan and Thomas 405). In such instances, most of these repressive regimes leadership becomes hostile to such individuals and in some cases subject them to torture and psychological traumas (Deephouse and David 1096). The primary aim of Journalism, for instance during war periods is to ensure that all acts of injustices are pictured to attract actions from the government and the international community. The media fraternity as a whole has undergone numerous changes and challenges in equal measure (Deephouse and David 1099). In a tense political setting, for instance, the involvement of the media in ensuring proper checks and balances of the repressive regime to ensure that all acts against humanity are articulately recorded and appropriate actions against perpetrators reported. However, a photojournalist, like any other professionals must operate within some set rules and standards ad dictated by the society (Deephouse and David 1113). Their actions should be such that any reasonable man in their situation will define as “normal” and as pro human dignity. A photojournalist, for instance, is expect to record and report honest accounts of events as they happened without any form of manipulation. They should not give in to any form of intimidation be it physical or psychological in a bid by fraudulent to manipulate the true accounts of the recorded events. Integrity and honestly are crucial qualities a photojournalist must be in a possession of. For instance, in their recording and reporting of accounts, they should take into account the sensitivity of certain situations in the maintenance of individual respect and dignity (Deephouse and David 1116). For example, when reporting on the impacts a civil war in Congo had on women and general populace, the generally acceptable standards of reporting governing photojournalists must be maintained. The identity of a rape victim and the exact recorded course of events must be adhered to by a photojournalist. Honesty, on the other hand, sets in when the photojournalist can vehemently confirm the authenticity of the recorded events by verifying the sources and the validity of the subject of discussion. With the ever changing technology, the media is increasingly becoming modernized and more efficient encompassing a variety of objectives (Hariman, Robert, and John 201). The visual film, one of the introduced source of recording events, for example, has become crucial in photojournalism. Consequently, most of these recorded events have found their way into the internet systems attracting wider audience and viewing. In his book, ‘Bending the frame’, the author, Fred Ritchin is addressing some of the emerging capabilities portrayed by the introduction of the visual media initiatives (Hariman, Robert, and John 205). The impacts of the introduced visual media on a community cannot be underpinned as stipulated by Fred Ritchin (Hariman, Robert, and John 210). The book ‘Bending the Frame’ is very explicit in the description of the emerging online systems, the use of videos to account for events, and a variety of related literatures. In essence the photos and images captured by a photojournalist in a way is instrumental in the promotion of completely new thinking and some notable effects on the societal and cultural order (Hariman, Robert, and John 219). Question Two The visual definitions of photography are arguably narrowed down to a type of genre intending to make visible some of the hidden experiences and events in a society. In essence, photography has undergone tremendous changes over the past decade ranging from its complex ability to examine a variety of conflicts. Compared to the past models used report events, the modernization of photography has to a large extend become crucial in the coverage of wars and conflicts. (Boer and Saskia 34). Richard Mosse is seen to be combining a variety of décor and idea on a manuscript detailing the instability in the Congo. The fight, though the root cause understood by just a few persons is a painful experience marred with brutality and close to five million casualties (Boer and Saskia 39). The film applies the use of infra-red lights in a special setting of the jungles of the Congo. Richard Mosse covers the vents in this jungle of the Congo bringing the attention of the world to the senseless brutality and madness in Congo. The primarily aim of Richard Mosse is to expose the brutal acts and inhuman treatments the people forced to go through in the juggles of the Congo. He applies visual imagery techniques in capturing the exact events as they happened in the Congo. While Edward Burtynsky, a photographer from Toronto, Canada uses photography to explore a variety of beautiful landscapes in Canada and other countries and regions (Young and Marnin 36). He is largely Edward Burtynsky reputed some of the most appealing photographic works ad views on landscapes. The photographs captured by Edward Burtynsky chronicles the effects the natural resources such as land affects the daily lives and positions of different persons. According to Edward Burtynsky, humanity originated from nature and, therefore, possess the intrinsic significance to maintain the reverence of nature (Young and Marnin 37). To him, the photographs aims at sensitizing the masses on the danger associated with the destruction of nature. The photographic works are articulately and explicitly taken to help convince the society that indeed the maintenance and proper utilization of the environment could be instrumental in the long run. Essentially, Journalism, mass media and communication in the 2st century has since gone through a variety of changes ranging from the quality image productions the expanded scope of operation. Work Cited Boer, Saskia PM. "Seeing Pink: War Through a New Lens. Richard Mosse's Infrared Photography in the Democratic Republic of Congo." (2014). Deephouse, David L. "Media reputation as a strategic resource: An integration of mass communication and resource-based theories." Journal of management 26.6 (2000): 1091-1112. Hariman, Robert, and John Louis Lucaites. "Photographing the Vietnam War." American Visual Cultures (2005): 199-208. Vaughan, Thomas. "CS Fly: Pioneer Photojournalist." The Journal of Arizona History (2009): 303-318. Young, Marnin. "Manufactured Landscapes: the photographs of Edward Burtynsky." Afterimage 30.6 (2003): 8. Read More