Week 9

The Internet is a really powerful tool for communication. We’ve learn that journalist has used the internet to write and bring their thoughts and reports almost immediately unlike the traditional news casting.

However, there are still strict rules and regulations in countries that do not promote freedom of speech.
Journalist are stalked, tracked and killed in missions of reporting due to controversial views that are not in line with the government stands.

The advantages of internet journalism is indisputable, however, it also depends on the country one lives in. Ultimately, the future of internet journalism very much depends on a countries’ restrictions on media freedom of speech.

Week 8

We have learnt the power of internet for political campaigning.

However, studies have found that while Web use by political candidates increased dramatically since 2002, politicians are still failing to take advantage of all the Internet has to offer. Ninety six percent of this year’s Senate candidates have active websites, while only 55 percent of candidates had websites in 2002.

While most candidates use a set of core Web tools, the majority of candidates are refraining from using newer and more sophisticated Web strategies, such as blogs and podcasts, on their campaign websites. Only 23 percent of Senate candidates are blogging, just 15 percent offer Spanish alternatives to their websites, and an even smaller number of candidates, 5 percent, maintain podcasts.

In contrast, between 90 percent and 93 percent of candidates offered biographies, contact information, and online donations on their websites. It is obvious from these results that despite a general increase in the use of the Internet for political campaigns, candidates are still hesitant to pour finite financial resources into new campaign strategies.

Why is this so?

Incumbents often have a record of past success in the Senate upon which they can focus in order to maintain and build upon their current level of pre-existing support. They are also usually the favorites in these re-election campaigns. For this reason, incumbent websites tend to be safer and less creative than those of challengers. Challengers are more likely to take chances online in an effort to secure votes.

Also, candidates are extremely busy, and older Americans are unlikely to have the time or inclination to personally participate in the blogosphere. For many campaigns, having a blog just doesn’t make strategic sense. Many campaigns also have extremely limited resources, and are hesitant to devote these resources to an activity like blogging.

There is a perception among many political consultants and candidates that blogging is a risky strategy because candidates worry that by fully participating in the blogosphere, they will be dragged further to the left or to the right. Bloggers are typically the most active and ideological of Americans, so there is a fear by some that reaching out to these groups may turn away moderate voters.

Fundraising campaigns, team tools and house parties are most effective on sites that generate high traffic levels on a daily basis (like a committee or Presidential candidate site). It may be that campaigns don’t feel their website attract the critical mass of users necessary for these tools to work. The campaigns are most likely waiting for proof that these kinds of tools can work for a Senate campaign before implementing them.

Week 7

There really is an app for almost anything, even when there shouldn't be.

VS

Look at the difference in the advertisements.

The Nokia commercial uses high graphic and loud music to attract the audience attention to functions of the phone but the iPhone commercial uses simple introduction by showing the audience it’s application.

We see a lot of commercials that uses cool and high-end graphics to promote a product, especially from handphone industry, and personally I feel that it’s not a wonder. Multimedia is highly used to promote technological products, even in movies. When all our sensory elements are met, the product would be able to engage us. Also, humans are always improving and we seek out for new things as an outbreak from the common things. Hence, when high-technological multimedia is made use, we would tend to be more attracted by it.

Well, for me, the initial reaction to the two advertisements was that I found the Nokia commercial really interesting and cool. It definitely captured my attention and aroused my curiosity to continue watching the video. In comparison, the iPhone advertisement was a little dull and if I am not interested in getting a new phone, I would most probably miss the ad and know what iPhone has to offer.