Storify: Changing the conversation about mental health

The topic of my Storify article progresses with the topic of the rest of the assignments we have had for this class. I chose various media platforms and articles to exhibit the need to increase awareness of mental health issues among  youth and adolescents, in order to increase knowledge, education and comfort when speaking about such issues.

The link in my previous blog post did not work, so here is a proper functioning link:

Changing the conversation about mental health

Thanks for being patient and hope you enjoy!

Rebecca

Citizen journalism through Storify

The topic of my Storify article progresses with the topic of the rest of the assignments we have had for this class. I chose various media platforms and articles to exhibit the need to increase awareness of mental health issues among  youth and adolescents, in order to increase knowledge, education and comfort when speaking about such issues.

Changing the conversation about mental health

I hope you enjoy my story and have enjoyed viewing my blog posts and assignments!

Rebecca

The encouragement of citizen journalism: Summary of module 6

             The comments I received on this week's blogpost were in response to the question of what is citizen journalism and how does it differ from professional journalism. Before we can address the question of whether or not new digital and social media encourage participation in citizen journalism, we must determine what is encompassed under this type of journalism. As Dahlgren (2012) notes, civic journalism includes civic engagement and democratic renewal through new digital and social media. Although this does include social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, it is important to remember that just because an individual posts a Tweet or posting on Facebook regarding news or world events does not make this individual a "journalist".
              As Lindsay notes, just because an individual simply has a blog dedicated to a specific topic, does not mean they are a journalist. As Kamalpreet recognizes, although social media outlets allow and encourage participation in regards to democratically sharing information and news events, thus encouraging citizen journalism, it is important to determine a solid difference between citizen journalism and professional journalism. Individuals who participate in the world of professional journalism should not go unrecognized for the verified and resourced work that they complete. This also highlights Bruns and Highfield's (2012) concept that citizen journalism is actually replacing proper journalism. I think it is good that new social media platforms are encouraging participation in citizen and democratic journalism. However, with Bruns and Highfield's (2012) regard of replacement of proper journalism with citizen journalism, I think it is also important that users properly verify and resource information as is done with proper journalism.
            Finally, I agree with Nella's comment that social media platforms exceed the passive nature to just consume information, but encourage users to produce and share information as well. As Nella regards with her comment, this is when it is especially important for individuals to be mindful of what they do consume and take to be true when accessing the Internet as not every individual properly verifies and resources the information they post and share, even if they claim that it is. The democratic nature that citizen journalism holds, as suggested by Dahlgren (2012), allows for anyone to post and share information.
            In conclusion, although social and new digital media encourage participation of citizen journalism in Online communities, it is important to be more conscientious when consuming information through citizen journalism with varying verification and sources.
            

Citizen journalism: What is it and how is it encouraged?

When addressing the question of whether or not the new social media and Online opportunities encourage more direct participation in citizen journalism, I believe it is most important to determine what exactly is meant by ‘citizen journalism’. As Hermida (2012) recognizes, the ease of access and immediacy of social media endorse the expansion of journalism to encompass individuals who report on events but are not actual journalists. As much as individuals may be encouraged to participate within social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, to produce news information, this does not necessarily grant this individual the title of ‘journalist’.
            Dahlgren (2012) indicates that citizen journalism is not simply about citizens writing journalism for the sake of it, but about civic engagement and democratic renewal. I believe it is easy for anyone to jump onto the Internet, log into a platform such as Twitter, and begin producing what they believe to be ‘journalism’. I think in order for individuals to properly exercise their journalist abilities through new media and social media platforms, one must be properly educated as to what is actually considered to be citizen journalism and how to produce information in a journalistic manner.
             Simulataneously, and in contrast, Bruns and Highfield (2012) regard the replacement of proper journalism with that of citizen journalism. With the large advancement in new media and digital technology, users are granted access to an increase in available channels for information and knowledge-production, both from a consumer and producer standpoint. Technology has allowed for the undermining of the existing business model of conventional newspaper publishing through specialist Websites and general search engines that provide more effective and easy search platforms for various purposes.  
            Overall, I believe that new social media and Online opportunities do, in fact, encourage more direct participation in citizen journalism. The Internet allows individuals to democratically participate and contribute information in a manner that is not possible to occur in the convention business model of news production. The Internet allows for individuals to contribute and search what they deem to be important, allowing a plethora of information to be accessed and available. After reviewing the assigned readings for this module, I believe a citizen journalist is an individual who democratically contributes appropriate and resourced knowledge and information. When this definition is followed, it is easy to see that the Internet absolutely encourages this type of participation and knowledge-production.

References

Bruns, A. & T. Highfield. (2012). Blogs, Twitter, and breaking news: The produsage of citizen journalism. pre-publication draft on personal site [Snurb.info]. Published in: Lind, R. A. ed. (2012). Produsing Theory in a Digital World: The Intersection of Audiences and Production. New York: Peter Lang. p15-32.

Dahlgren, P. (2012). Reinventing participation: civic agency and the web environment. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations. 4.2, p27.

Hermida, A. (2012). TWEETS AND TRUTH: Journalism as a discipline of collaborative verification. Journalism Practice. 6:5-6, p659-668.

Should antidepressants be used for treating depression in adolescents and youth?: Podcast assignment

https://soundcloud.com/b3ck92/the-use-of-antidepressants-in

I do not believe blogspot allows for embedding, so above I have the link to my podcast.

My podcast regards the subject of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents and youth and the use of antidepressants when treating MDD. I chose this article because it takes a non-biased stance on the use of medication when treating MDD in adolescents in youth, illustrating both the benefits of consequences of employing medical use in treating MDD in adoelscents. I took certain parts from the article that I felt best demonstarted the topic I was discussing since it was more of a lengthy article and would have exceeded the time limitations for the assignment. Most importantly, I wanted to note the need to decrease the negative stigma associated with the use of medication when treating MDD, specifically in adolescents and youth, in order to clearly recognize the benefits medication has to offer.

I hope you enjoy!

Reference to article discussed in podcast:

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). NIMH · Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved June 21, 2013, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/antidepressant-                medications-for-children-and-adolescents-information-for-parents-and-caregivers.shtml

Summary: lessening copyright laws and encouraging a cultural commons

         I would like to start off by thanking everyone for their comments. The comments I found on my blog post this week heavily reflected the thoughts that I had originally shared. As Nella noted, I believe there is a true benefit in the social and cultural bonds that music creates, where copyright laws and restrictions hinder the availability and accessibility of content to users and consumers. A cultural commons was previously discussed within module 4 by Lessig (2001), where anyone within the relevant community has access to resources without obtaining permission. When restrictive copyright laws and legislations are placed on music, there is a disruption within the cultural commons where users are unable to access the music to which they should have free permission and access to.

            I find an alternative compensation system crucial to the diminishing of overbearing copyright laws and restrictions, as Lindsay mentioned. As originally noted, the music industry must discern that artists have alternative methods of support other than through specific sales of their music. Even when music is free, true fans will still have the desire to purchase the album or concert tickets, almost making free music sharing applications irrelevant to the downfall of the music industry as Condry (2004) notes. This also intersects with the music industry’s idea that downloading a CD from the Internet is the same as shoplifting a CD from the shelf at the music store. This is not the case at all with exchanging and downloading music online; once one user has downloaded a song or CD, that music is still available to other users. As Nella mentioned, an initial purchase would have been made in order to access an original copy of the music; however, this allows others to access the content for free, further encouraging social and cultural bonds and a cultural commons.

            Finally, as Kamalpreet recognized, music is not a material object and this is exactly why it has the capacity to establish such powerful social and cultural bonds. Rather than focus on the legal and business aspect as McCourt and Burkart (2003) note, cultural production of music must reflect the desires of the consumers/users.  Music is an amazing thing because it can be exchanged and expressed in a variety of ways where users are able to share bonds and discuss aspects of music that may allow them to think differently. This is why it is essential that copyright laws and restrictions are reduced and users are able to access the music with the ease of use which Bradley (2006) notes, connecting users and bringing them together on both a digital and cultural level.

           

 

 

The recording industry vs. consumers: Dealing with the perception of piracy

A conflict can readily be observed regarding the increasing copyright restrictions within the music industry, versus the increasing amount of ‘hackers’ and piracy that are associated with said music. The recording industry follows the popular belief that ‘hackers’ are stealing music through applications such as Napster and Limewire, hence the increase in copyright laws and legislation regarding the music industry. This perspective could possibly be altered through proven research and consumers working together to demonstrate the positive benefits of obtaining a cultural commons. Music is not simply a material object such as a toaster or a computer; music encompasses and creates a culture bringing people together physically, and over the Online community where music can be discussed and exchanged between users and consumers.

As Condry (2004) notes, focusing on fan participation in media success could implement an alternative perspective regarding how to encourage flourishing music cultures, rather than simply focusing on the business and financial aspect of the music industry. This reflects the thoughts of McCourt and Burkart (2003) who note how cultural production is driven more by business models and legal frameworks (copyright restrictions) than it is by consumer/audience desires and practices. If this were the case, music would be more readily available and accessible to users who want to access this music; instead, users who are regarded as ‘hackers’ by the music and recording industry are penalized for their desire to access music. Bradley (2006) remarks upon the importance of ease of use and access that is afforded to “regular folks” in terms of digital media and technology. If consumers are not able to access digital media and technology, how can they use or enjoy such media to create a cultural commons that is so heavily associated with music and media?

A possible suggestion, as made by Condry (2004), is to distinguish an alternative compensation system for musicians and those working within the recording industry, rather than these individuals simply relying on the financial and economical means they earn through direct expense of their music by their consumers, which clearly, they cannot always afford. The underlying concept is to devise new strategies in which artists and entertainment companies are supported in order to offset the losses attributable to unauthorized copyright. Such a suggestion could also potentially decrease the negative consequences associated with expanding enforcement of intellectual property rights.

          It is also important for those working within the recording industry to note that success of artists and musicians does not rely solely on a desire to make money. Piracy cannot be put at exclusive fault for the perceived fall of the music industry as artists are not only supported through the protection of digital content. Decreasing overbearing copyright laws and restrictions may not even affect the music industry as detrimentally as they seem to believe; a lot of music is already available for free, yet people still pay for music by buying CDs and purchasing songs through applications such as iTunes. Downloading a CD is not the same as shoplifting as the media is still available even after an individual user has accessed it (Condry, 2004). The recording industry must see why people want music in the first place; music creates social bonds, further expanding upon the concepts of culture and a cultural commons where individuals can feel connected through the access to content without the hassle of copyright laws and restrictions.

References
 

Bradley, D. (2006) Scenes of Transmission: Youth Culture, MP3 File Sharing, and Transferable Strategies of Cultural Practice. M/C Journal. 9(1).

Condry, Ian. (2004). Cultures of Music Piracy: An Ethnographic Comparison of the US and Japan. International Journal of Cultural Studies. 7 (3), pg. 343-363.

 

McCourt, T., P. Burkart. (2003). When Creators, Corporations and Consumers Collide: Napster and the Development of On-line Music Distribution. Media, Culture & Society. 25 (3), pg. 333-350