I shall get back to my daily blog as soon as I have become Mrs. Malikasim! In the mean time, please visit my blog and feel free to take a journey of our “ever after” world.

xxx,

Nadia

Its been many months since I have been absent from this blog. A lot has happened! Let’s summarize 2010 shall we!

1. Based on the previous entries, it seems that I was rather confused on what to write for my final project as a graduate student. Apparently, my interests have diverted into different directions compared to my first ever ideas in the first semester. Social media especially Twitter was the main focus, however as time progress, I realized that the field was not my interests anymore. Instead, I wrote my report on, “The Situation of Journalistic Professionalism in Indonesia: A Content Analysis of the Tempo’s coverage of the 2009 Presidential Election.”

2. With that, I have graduated with my Master of Communication degree with Distinction! Finally, all my hard work have paid off! All those nights… typing and reading the night away…. has come to an end along with my time in Melbourne

3. The man of my dreams finally proposed to me on January 1, 2011. If you are curious on how that stories went, click here!

That’s it folks! Not much has happened since! Im currently looking for jobs in the corporate world, especially in the Public Affairs department. Wish me luck and hope that I will find my dream job as well

Cheers!

Miike, Y 2007, “Asian Contributions to Communication Theory: An introduction”, China Media Research, vol. 3, no.4.

Communication can be defined in many ways for which it involves a communicator, communicant, noise, medium and feedback. Also, communication is a process whereby people assign meaning in a language. In “Asian Contributions to Communication Theory: An Introduction”, highlights that Communication Theory is not based on the Eurocentric ideas but also it includes the Asians perspectives that resulted in multicultural ideas. The author considers the East, South, West and Southeast Asia culture of Buddhist, Confucian, Hindu, and Islamic perspectives (p.2). Hence, it covers all the Asian perspectives. Furthermore, Asian perspectives hold a stronger meaning because it ties with family values and religion. Without exploring the Asian concepts in the language, there would not be Asians theories in communications (p.4). Additionally, in order to create a communication theory, it is essential to develop the understanding of its Asian language. The article addresses that communication theories of humanity and diversity are required to have several points to express clear communication from the cultural expressions. By exploring several essay of different Asian countries, enable the author to further study the interpersonal interaction and its nonverbal cultural communication. Seemingly, the author uses a lot of evidence to prove his theory. As a result, it convinces the reader that his argument covers all section in humanity in diversity and communication that impact the intercultural interactions on the human condition in the age of globalization and localization.

Peart’s professional background, as the director in a public relations consultancy in New Zealand, allows him to contribute to the academic field of public relations (PR) issues and crisis management. His article explores the relationship between journalists and PR practitioners to practicing media relations during a crisis.

The author suggests that majority of the published articles are based on the PR practitioners sources (p.60). By providing a statistic surveyed in Australia, Peart shows that the PR practitioners are perceived as having the access to manage the information, while journalists have the authority to control the message that is shared with the public. In addition, Peart states, “journalists and PR practitioners must survive in the limelight of public opinion” (p.59). This portrays that opinion shapes reality in a PR world. Hence, opinion should be taken into serious consideration as it may have greater impact on the crisis. He also advises readers that immediate information, without disclosing confidential information or jeopardizing the company’s reputation, is vital for journalists to obtain facts and the company’s responsibility (actions) regarding the crisis. As Fortune has stated, “Be a source before you are subject” (p. 65). By providing a direct access to the CEO or arranging a live interview with the journalists creates transparency and adds credibility to the affected companies.

Journalists are thirsty for information. Hence, the PR practitioners are in need to provide valid information with a two-way communication process. This way, both groups comprehend the company’s position and ensure the company for a balanced coverage. For instance, the Kiwi cornflour contamination case provides a good example of how the affected companies handled the case differently. Peart points out that different approaches have different outcomes. This can be seen from the positive, negative, and balanced outcome from several companies. This is due to the level of professionalism or background that the PR practitioners have or comprehend towards managing a crisis with the journalists (p.62). The companies do not necessarily have to result in a negative coverage when dealing with crisis. If handled properly, the company can emerge from crisis and can be turned into an opportunity. As a result, this article illustrates the strengths by reminding the reader that it is not the crisis that causes the collapse of the company, but the poor handling between the PR practitioners and journalists.

Although Peart’s article consists of systematic advices towards how to manage or deal with crisis from the PR practitioners and journalist’s perspectives, planning and timing are not comprehensively discussed. Certainly, planning is the essential factor in diminishing the negative impact of a crisis. These negative impacts are: financial loss, negative coverage, and unsupportive feedback from the public. The author should have discussed on how to anticipate potential problems and on how to properly package the message to the media. By doing so, PR practitioners will save time during crisis. Moreover, in Peart’s article, the case was strongly presented from the journalists’ point of view. The affected companies should have shared their reasons why they reacted negatively to the journalists. Although the article focuses on the journalists’ views, the opinions should have relatively balanced arguments from both sides. This way, readers would have a better understanding that PR practitioners and journalists compliment each other’s workforce.

Seemingly, PR practitioners and journalists are two professions that both deal with pressure. From the article, it is seen that PR practitioners need to increase their professionalism as news communicator, while the journalists create an intense environment to generate as much news to the public. Whether or not it is credible, it is up to the journalists to triple check the source. Although, Peart’s article slightly touched the interaction between the two professions for their responsibility with the news by having the possibilities of the positive and negative effect, yet, the article does not evaluate the quality of the reports by the journalists that has been portrayed by the PR practitioners.

In Slovic’s journal, “Perception of Risk” allows readers to understand that the perceptions of risk plays an essential part in the decision-making role, whereby there are disagreements of viewing risks from the experts and publics perceptions. The term risk is seen as a concept that people have created to help them understand and be aware of dangers and the uncertainties that life has to offer. For instance, Slovic argues that nuclear power is defined as a dreadful risk due to the lack of control, fatal consequences, and the inequitable distribution of risks and benefits. Hence, this research is conducted to inform the readers about the public‘s perception of risk and reaction to risk.

Seemingly, Slovic tested the community and individual reaction towards a particular risk. His qualitative and quantitative research methods provide a solid argument that risks can be divided into different levels of high to low risks. His methodology allows readers to explore his areas of research that such risks can be positioned according to the unknown risk, dread risk, controllable risk, uncontrollable risk, observable and not observable risk. Slovic’s data did not only prove his findings but also includes several of scientist experts quotes to support his argument. Also, Slovic’s ripple effects findings highlight the reader’s attention to realize that a simple accident can cause a huge impact to other industry and technology. Hence, his scientific discovery portray his strengths in the factor of statistical data are available, his article provides clear benefits, and is generated by a trusted source to influence Slovic’s risk perception.

However, his journal article provides one-sided argument in informing and educating the publics about his research. His strong beliefs towards his research provide no downfall.  Slovic fails to communicate and convince the public that his research is worthy. From a communications perspectives, data, information, and diagrams are not enough to support one’s argument, especially towards risks perception. Risk is a subjective topic that cannot be concluded like a math problem, where every problem has a definite solution. Slovic’s strong approach towards his research does not help readers to balance their views. This is due to the different public’s perception that they have towards a risk. Slovic’s negative view can be seen where he stated, “communication about risk is simply irrelevant to the discussion” (p.285). Yet, it defeats the purpose of his research goals to provide a basic understanding, anticipate public responses and improve the public’s understanding of risk management the risk awareness among people, experts and decision makers. Slovic believes that people’s perception and attitudes cannot be quantified or positioned by research because it relates to people’s feeling. Also, his article lacks the information process of how did Slovic concludes to such data. As a communication student, I would want to read the process on how he receives his written data and plotting the different risks in the diagram. Instead, he focused towards in explaining how to read the data and diagrams.

The general public needs to be aware of how Slovic’s research remains relevant to today’s risk perception. In educating the public about risk perception, it is insufficient to only distribute scientific data. Instead, it is also necessary for the message to be packaged according to the reader’s interest so that the message can be easily understood. For his research to be accepted by the public, Slovic should consider feedback from the public, both positive and negative, and listen to the public critique about his scientific research. Also, shifting a person’s attitude and perception is difficult and would require a longer period of time to understand and accept his findings. Moreover, his writing style is difficult to understand. Although his writing is targeted towards the educated audience, the language should be simplified in order for the reader to comprehend the message that he is trying to convey.

One week later, her condition is not any better. It seems like her energy has reached to the lowest point that she is not able to walk on her own. Instead, she used a wheel chair and an oxygen tank to help her breathe. Also, grandma starts to talk jibberish to all of us. At one point, she did not realize that she was at our place.  She also forgets what she had for dinner. Such drastic change occurs within a week. Luckily, this Friday, my brother from Sydney and uncle from Paris will come to visit grandma. Hopefully, this will brighten her day After all, it has been 2 long years that my grandma has not seen her son.

Please Allah, make my grandma stronger and healthier. I want to have a decent grandma-grand daughter conversation with her again.

and Grandma….. please Im begging you to eat more so that you can get well soon.

We love you grandma…

Always and Forever…

-Tranquility

In Huang’s journal, the author provides a case study to describe the emergence of the city newspaper in the post-Mao China era. The Chinese Communist Party plays a role in China’s newspaper. In the pre-Mao era, the press was under the influence of heavy propaganda however, in the post-Mao period, the propaganda decreased but the press still had limited press freedom. The newspaper is divided into the evening and morning section where wording and content are relatively different. However, both papers share a special sector of the Party press (p.436). The city newspapers are more focused on the Western concepts, professional journalism, and socialists tabloids while the traditional newspapers is more into the Chinese Communist Party, Party Journalism, and Party papers. Although both papers still exists in today’s world, the circulation of the Party Papers has decline tremendously (p.446). In my opinion, by providing the propaganda-oriented press and the market-oriented commercialized papers project a positive impact towards the press freedom. A bridge is always good for the transition of the media structure in having a balance news value of approaching its free press era. On the other hand in Indonesia, there is an outbreak in 1998 that caused the press to be the absolute freedom of expression. This creates an unbalanced society where people are exposed to sensitive issues that has been previously unknown to the public.

Today, there are two types of journalism paradigm. This is due to the expansion of its scope in media ethics. In this journal, Merrill provokes the reader old thoughts of the Western media by projecting its stability and harmony in replacing the social chaos. The journal highlights two factors to the Western media: Social Responsibility and Libertarian system. Both factors have its positive and negative aspects, which are produce ideal thoughts and threaten media ethics.

The Libertarian model is more popular in Western media than the Social Responsibility model, which invites critiques to the table. In the Libertarian system, it is rather different than the Authoritarian system (order). The information is not as limited and biases hence would serve the government interest. Although it is financially controlled, there are press freedom that is not constrained by the media ethics, society and government. On the contrary, the idea of Social Responsibility is to benefit the society. By doing so, the media pushed journalists to have an open debate on any issues that deliver the truth to the society. The model cannot encourage bias and unethical practices in return for the financial support. Also, without Social Responsibility, the Western media tends to limit the coverage of political issues and cover only the political candidates that can afford advertisements. Hence, for future media system, both Libertarian and Social Responsibility model are not applicable as societies are no longer dependent on mass media for information

Merrill, J. C 2000, “Democracy and the Press: The Reality and the Myth”, Media Asia, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 197-199, ProQuest Asian Business and Reference.

Merrill’s article purports that free press does not reflect the political, economical, and social behavior of the society (p.199). Indeed, the term “Democracy” is sometimes misinterpreted especially in Asian countries. This misinterpretation is born from the assumption that a majority of the citizens are well-informed, competent voters who regularly participate in democratic elections. By doing so, the reader can acknowledge the author’s main argument that political system should be developed based on the reflection of the country’s culture. From these insights, it is concluded that the press does not play a major role in a democratic country (p.199).

Based on the existing democratic governments and the interpretations by the Asian media, Merrill illustrates that America does not include the word democracy in the United States constitution. Yet, as they practice democracy, the United States government portrays the people to be independent by involving them to vote in the political parties. Where as, “Asian press does not see its role as expanding democracy” (p.198). High context culture may be the cause of this. The people do not realize the hidden agenda that the press is generating. The author adamantly believes that the free press does not promote democracy; instead, the free press publishes gossip, sports updates, and extreme life styles of the wealthy or the poor and ignores the average citizen issues. Seemingly, the author’s point of view is viewed as a very strong statement that democracy cannot solve social problems (p.199).

Lambeth (1995) introduces the media system as a transition media by providing historical background of Cold War, shift of totalitarianism regime, and the emergence of a democratic political system (p.3). By doing so, it allows the reader to observe the philosophies of media systems that homogeneous media democratic states are impossible to meet (p.3). This is due to several factors such as political, socioeconomic, and cultural constraints. The author illustrates China in having limited freedom of speech and equality. Hence, the author claims that calipers are a way to measure the flow of philosophical system and news media.

The author believes that generating the four ways of philosophies creates the Four Theories of the Press that fails to meet today’s press concept (p.4). Yet, it adds values to the evolution of social and political philosophies and the ideologies of media system. The journal overview gives in-depth media philosophies that have affects towards the past, present and future Western countries. Lambeth suggests that authoritarian, libertarian, communist and social responsibility occur due to social and political situation. By informing readers based on each era, it shall create understanding towards the transition in media. For instance, the libertarian tradition in the mid-1600s (p.8) is a breakthrough for media that acknowledge free press and government. Nowadays, social responsibility of the press embodies how societies are more essential than the freedom of the press. However, the journal focuses on the Western media philosophies, for which information based on Asian countries are not included. Yet, one must note that Asian countries are needed to track its historical background of the Asian media system.