Saturday, December 28, 2019

Interview With Broadcast Journalism Professionals

In depth interview with broadcast journalism professionals On November 18, 2016, I met up with the director of the Univision news Cristina Bazaldua to find out more about the history of the studio. When one first walks in the building the first thing that catches your attention is the clear and transparent glass windows that allow you to see everything that goes on behind the scenes. When asked, Cristina mentioned that the Univision industry is very involved with the community, meaning it doesn’t want to hide anything from them hence the clear glass windows. I personally loved the idea behind that, it enhances the concept that the corporation and the community come together as one to make everything happen. As a matter of fact, while†¦show more content†¦Jorge Nunez and Brenda Jimenez, both very experienced people in their field of work who have gained a lot of knowledge throughout the years. Jorge has been a news anchor for Univision for thirty years while Brenda on the other hand has had ten years of experience. Both found their ways in San Antonio with different stories but similar content. Jorge and Brenda didn’t major in communication, but have learned the business as they go, Jorge is a business major while Brenda majored in sociology. It’s an intriguing story on how they both ended up in this job position, Jorge was wanted by a long time by Telemundo TV producers and kept denying them until one day decided to try it out. Brenda met the main producer for Univision in Las Vegas and got asked to work for her instantly because of the way she developed herself. She says that one of her major tips for any job out there is networking, â€Å"the more people you meet, the more doors that will open up throughout the way.† Another major tip she shared with me was that one had to have a lot of patience in the workplace and realize that not everything will go your way. When asked about how they explained their job setting Brenda and Jorge said that the environment was very social, and unp redictable. They also told me that one had to be a team player in this career because everyone’s job contributes into the final product to makeShow MoreRelatedA Brief Note On The Post Industrial Journalism1465 Words   |  6 Pages We believe that a similar dynamic is at work today, one we’re calling post-industrial journalism. To mean â€Å"Journalism no longer organized around the norms of proximity to the machinery of production.† Observers of the news industry today, state that reporters are people â€Å"doing more with less† is the mantra of every publisher who’s just laid off a dozen reporters and editors. However, because the â€Å"with less† part is a forced move, we have to try to make the â€Å"doing more† part work, which meansRead MoreThe Mass Of Broadcast Journalism1142 Words   |  5 Pagesintrigued and hopeful by the medium of Broadcast Journalism. Young students imagine themselves on television speaking to the public about the everyday happenings around the community. However, as other growing mediums emerge, Broadcast Journalism is a dwindling in viewership, especially with the younger generation. For my field research, I had the pleasure of int erviewing Christian Schaffer. The newest co-anchor of Good Morning Maryland on ABC-2 News in Baltimore. Broadcast news is a medium that is thrillingRead MoreThe National Mass News Media911 Words   |  4 Pages1. The national mass news media, including broadcast networks and newspapers, are increasingly unable to fulfill their traditional roles as government watchdogs because neither broadcast networks nor newspapers have as great as a reach. Before cable and the Internet, the president reached the national public through national media, which desired to appeal to audiences covering the partisan divide. The major media outlets controlled the flow of news from Washington and the president’s access to whatRead MoreMy Experience At The Age Of 12969 Words   |  4 PagesAt the age of 12, I first hosted a big show at school. Now I still remember clearly that my Chinese teacher praised me highly for my performance on the stage by saying, â€Å"Good job, you can develop yourself in the TV and journalism areas in future.† From then on, I appeared on the stage more often as a host on campus and I began to enjoy it. In 2007, I came to know Yang Lan, a well-known Chinese talk show hostess and journalist on a TV program and I was totally fascinated by her brilliant performanceRead MoreDescription of My Interview743 Words   |  3 PagesI arranged the interview in a quiet location at the far right corner of a coffee shop. I made it a point to share the area with no one except my interviewee. It was nothing too formal, just a casual time to talk about some life experiences in a cozy place. Tables along aisles will get a lot of disturbance that might harm the real purpose of the meeting. This is the main reason why I have chosen the far right corner of the coffee shop to do away with practical noise factors and with the inclusionRead MoreEssay about How to Improve Journalism Education904 Words   |  4 PagesHow to Improve Journalism Education Media tycoons agreed that profound changes are taking place in the News media industry that pose challenges for journalists and the news organizations for which they work. Their advice can be clustered into three broad prescriptions.  · Emphasis the basics of journalism craft along with analytical thinking and a strong sense of ethics.  · Help the journalists to build a specialized expertise to enhance their coverage and help them to acquire first-hand knowledgeRead MoreThe Launch of a Women’s Radio Station in the City of Herat, Afghanistan1704 Words   |  7 Pageslaunch of a women’s radio station in the city of Herat, Afghanistan, in the year 2003. It follows four Afghan women journalists’ struggles in balancing the demands of a highly conservative culture on the one hand, and the objectives of their Canadian journalism trainers on the other. Kamal explains that Media development takes on many different forms in different areas of the world. Rather than being a force for sustaining difference, the media is deliberately employed by media development organisationsRead MoreThe Field Of Journalism And Education1320 Words   |  6 PagesSociety often refers to journalism as the fourth estate, in conjunction with the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. As a profession that is regarded with such an influential nickname, it is essential that the field of journalism be well equipped with professionals who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide society with valid and objective reporting. The skills that make up a strong journalist are thoroughly introduced and taught throughout an individual’sRead MoreSocial Media And Its Impact On Journalism1742 Words   |  7 PagesSocial media has had a huge impact on the way that journalism is practiced and the way that the general public perceiv e news in the present day. This dissertation aims to identify and explore the use of the different social media platforms, focusing on the impact that the rise of social media has had on journalism practices. In addition, this paper will examine the public’s responses to the news that they receive through social media platforms. Examples of social media platforms that this dissertationRead More Sports Journalism Essay1872 Words   |  8 Pages Sports Journalism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;For my career research paper I have chosen to delve into the world of the sportswriter, and take a closer look at what that occupation may hold for myself. I have chosen to research this form of journalism because I consider myself to be a sports fanatic, and would very much enjoy spending the rest of my working days writing about the conditions in the world of sports. During the last year or so I have taken a period of time everyday to relax and read

Friday, December 20, 2019

Colonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora Essay

Colonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora The experiences of the women of the African diaspora are as diverse as the regions they have come to inhabit. Despite the variety in their local realities, African and African-descended women across the planet share in many common experiences. Wherever they have made their homes, these women tend to occupy inferior or marginalized positions within their societies. Whether in the United States, Europe, Latin America, or even Africa itself, black women must confront what Patricia Hill Collins describes as a â€Å"matrix of domination† which has, for centuries, perpetuated their subjugation and oppression. According to Collins, a matrix of domination is a comprehensive social organization in†¦show more content†¦Even Maathai’s ancestors, the Kikuyu and Maasai peoples, were among them. The majority of these forced dislocations took place in the highland regions. The rich soil and temperate climate of this area had proven attractive to native African peoples for centuries; and it seemed the new British settlers found it equally tempting. After most of the land’s original occupants were transported to the Rift Valley region of western Kenya, settlers began taking advantage of the highlands’ vast natural resources. The land was essentially ravaged as ancient forests were clear-cut in order to make room for agricultural plots. The introduction of the plantation system, with its non-native plant species, large-scale hunting, and systematic recruitment of Africans as field laborers, signaled the next phase in the oppression of native Africans (Maathai 6-9). The situation became even more complex when the British colonial administration introduced a currency-based income tax system. For centuries, the Kenyan economy had largely rested on the exchange of livestock and other goods. With this in mind, it should come as little surprise that such a drastic shift put native Kenyans in a rather precarious position. Since nearly all â€Å"acceptable† currency rested in the hands of colonists, many Kenyans were forced to leave their reserves and work as hired hands on the farms of white settlers, essentially becoming squatters on their own ancestral landsShow MoreRelatedColonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora Essay938 Words   |  4 PagesColonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora The Kenyan feminist and environmental activist, Wangari Maathai, explores the legacy of colonialism and oppression in her native country through her moving 2006 memoir, Unbowed. Maathai explains that over the course of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Africa experienced a massive influx of white settlers. In an effort to solidify control over recently acquired colonies, many European powers had encouraged large numbers of their ethnicallyRead MoreThe Colonialism Effect Of Africa1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Colonialism Effect of Africa As the world races for its place in history, many continents excel on their mark on the map. It is because Africa was in the right place, but in a different time they were taken advantage of their glory. Although it is difficult for Africa to retrace and reclaim its memoirs, it has an origin that had existed before colonialism. The attempt of challenging modern history has desperately provided an economical realm that extracts and injects into Africa resources. Read More12 Years a Slave and Crossing the River: Postcolonial Critique1155 Words   |  5 Pagesorchestrated the greatest institution of oppression through the Atlantic slave trade, subsequently producing unconscious bigotry and racialized fantasies. As a postcolonial United States absconded from the political, cultural and economic ways of Great Britain, imperialism remained as a consequence of the human colonialism of slavery. Steve McQueen’s adaptation of 12 Years a Slave depicts the legacy of slavery and racism, and its relation to the African American diaspora. Through the collapse of identityRead MoreReggae Is Not Only A Type Of Music1560 Words   |  7 PagesThese groups have shared experiences of colonialism and subjugation by hegemonic (often white) powers. Reggae is popular in indigenous communities for both its sound and message. It is adopted and transformed by these communities to affirm particular indigenous identities whilst globally connecting to other indi genous groups. The Rastafarian sound was brought to the ‘forefront of black popular culture’ in the 1970’s and 19980’s, establishing a ‘mythical’ African sound. The success of reggae meant itRead MorePan Africanism For Beginners Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pagescomplex concept of Pan-Africanism. Lemelle begins the book by broadly defining Pan-Africanism to mean the inclusion of â€Å"all people of African ancestry living in continental Africa and throughout the world.† This definition sets the foundation for his analysis of Pan-Africanism. Pan-Africanism for Beginners explores the major leaders and events associated with Pan-African sentiments chronologically. The exploration begins with the â€Å"early pioneers of Pan-Africanism† (20) such as Prince Hall, Paul CuffeRead MoreThe Movement Of The Negro World1407 Words   |  6 Pagesthe fires that smolder in the Negro world.† Garveyism is coined as an aspect of Black Nationalism, it is the ideology that focuses on the unification and empowerment of the African diaspora, and the repatriation of African descendants to the African continent. Rationale When hearing notable pioneers of the advancement of African Americans in America, Marcus Garvey is one that maybe lastly mention. Arguably, his movement seems to be dismissed often by his controversial personality. To me, Garvey focusedRead MoreTeaching Freedom : Education For Liberation953 Words   |  4 Pagesscholarly articles into a collection that expounds upon education for liberation. In Teach Freedom: Education for Liberation in the African American Tradition the question of â€Å"did your education encourage you to move† resonated with me throughout the text. Over a series of nineteen articles, the centering theme of the role of education being political tied to the problem of African Americans being subjected to a hegemonic system which places those living at the intersection of race, class, and/or genderRead MoreConstructing My Cultural Identity6012 Words   |  25 Pagesanalysis of my life growing up in Jamaica where I attended colonial school, to making the transition to high school in the Canadian context. I examine the elements that have influenced my cultural/racial identity as a person of African ancestry living in the diaspora. I ask questions such as how has colonial education influenced my cultural identity and how I see myself? I address the complexity of my racial and gender identity drawing on a Black feminist theoretical framework and anticolonial Read MoreThe Cultural Identity Of The African American Community1653 Words   |  7 PagesThe African American community has sat at the end of a discriminatory lens from the moment they set foot in the United States. For that reason, black communities have undergone the process of community building to ensure that all members feel a sense of belonging. Race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, poverty, and sexual orientation, all play a role in developing one’s identity and more often than not, these multiple identities intersect with blackness. Being that American society has deemed coloredRead MoreLiberation And The Africana Woman1406 Words   |  6 Pages LIBERATION AND THE AFRICANA WOMAN Amijah C. Townsend-Holmes African Diaspora and the World (ADW 112) Professor J. Canty March 17th, 2016 Spring 2016 atownse5@scmail.spelman.edu Paulo Freire’s beliefs concerning liberation and notions of oppression absolutely align with one another and tell a story that starts with enslavement that still relates to today. In Freire’s writings, he does not hesitate to highlight the white power establishment, and the black survival struggle Colonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora Essay Colonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora The Kenyan feminist and environmental activist, Wangari Maathai, explores the legacy of colonialism and oppression in her native country through her moving 2006 memoir, Unbowed. Maathai explains that over the course of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Africa experienced a massive influx of white settlers. In an effort to solidify control over recently acquired colonies, many European powers had encouraged large numbers of their ethnically white citizens to make a new home on the African continent. As a result, thousands of native Africans were displaced. Maathai’s ancestors, the Kikuyu and Maasai peoples were among them. The majority of these forced dislocations took†¦show more content†¦As time passed, European domination drastically altered the African landscape – both physically and culturally. Traditional roles, practices, and beliefs were either completely subverted or modified to fall in line with European cultural ideals. Doubtlessly , this process of subjugation worked to the detriment of native populations throughout the continent. Even though all members of indigenous communities have suffered under this system, African women remain especially vulnerable to its harmful effects. As Mary Kolawole points out in her comprehensive work, Womanism and African Consciousness, these women must confront a set of oppressions unique to their position as both black Africans and women. During her discussion of African women’s current struggle for recognition, Kolawole argues that, although colonialism displaced many African traditions, the patriarchal social structure remained. In many ways, she holds, European colonization widened the rift between African men and women even further (Kolawole 34). Although African and European traditions share in the elevation of the male over the female, most African cultures offered women a greater position of respect within society, as well as more â€Å"positive avenues of self-liberation† than were available to European womenShow MoreRelatedColonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora Essay2014 Words   |  9 PagesColonialism and Oppression in the African Diaspora The experiences of the women of the African diaspora are as diverse as the regions they have come to inhabit. Despite the variety in their local realities, African and African-descended women across the planet share in many common experiences. Wherever they have made their homes, these women tend to occupy inferior or marginalized positions within their societies. Whether in the United States, Europe, Latin America, or even Africa itself, blackRead MoreThe Colonialism Effect Of Africa1002 Words   |  5 PagesThe Colonialism Effect of Africa As the world races for its place in history, many continents excel on their mark on the map. It is because Africa was in the right place, but in a different time they were taken advantage of their glory. Although it is difficult for Africa to retrace and reclaim its memoirs, it has an origin that had existed before colonialism. The attempt of challenging modern history has desperately provided an economical realm that extracts and injects into Africa resources. Read More12 Years a Slave and Crossing the River: Postcolonial Critique1155 Words   |  5 Pagesorchestrated the greatest institution of oppression through the Atlantic slave trade, subsequently producing unconscious bigotry and racialized fantasies. As a postcolonial United States absconded from the political, cultural and economic ways of Great Britain, imperialism remained as a consequence of the human colonialism of slavery. Steve McQueen’s adaptation of 12 Years a Slave depicts the legacy of slavery and racism, and its relation to the African American diaspora. Through the collapse of identityRead MoreReggae Is Not Only A Type Of Music1560 Words   |  7 PagesThese groups have shared experiences of colonialism and subjugation by hegemonic (often white) powers. Reggae is popular in indigenous communities for both its sound and message. It is adopted and transformed by these communities to affirm particular indigenous identities whilst globally connecting to other indi genous groups. The Rastafarian sound was brought to the ‘forefront of black popular culture’ in the 1970’s and 19980’s, establishing a ‘mythical’ African sound. The success of reggae meant itRead MorePan Africanism For Beginners Essay1481 Words   |  6 Pagescomplex concept of Pan-Africanism. Lemelle begins the book by broadly defining Pan-Africanism to mean the inclusion of â€Å"all people of African ancestry living in continental Africa and throughout the world.† This definition sets the foundation for his analysis of Pan-Africanism. Pan-Africanism for Beginners explores the major leaders and events associated with Pan-African sentiments chronologically. The exploration begins with the â€Å"early pioneers of Pan-Africanism† (20) such as Prince Hall, Paul CuffeRead MoreThe Berlin Conference And The Scramble For Africa Essay893 Words   |  4 Pagescolonization and colonialism. The spread of the ideals that sprouted out of the 1884 Berlin Conference and the Scramble for Africa later spread to African American and Cuban culture. The ideals that were brought forth during this time broke apart the heart of Africa and many other countries, and by doing so also developed the concept of and ideals for White supremacy. Unchecked privilege gave way to the Berlin Conference and later the destruction of some essential parts of African Culture. The 1884Read MoreThe Movement Of The Negro World1407 Words   |  6 Pagesthe fires that smolder in the Negro world.† Garveyism is coined as an aspect of Black Nationalism, it is the ideology that focuses on the unification and empowerment of the African diaspora, and the repatriation of African descendants to the African continent. Rationale When hearing notable pioneers of the advancement of African Americans in America, Marcus Garvey is one that maybe lastly mention. Arguably, his movement seems to be dismissed often by his controversial personality. To me, Garvey focusedRead MoreTeaching Freedom : Education For Liberation953 Words   |  4 Pagesscholarly articles into a collection that expounds upon education for liberation. In Teach Freedom: Education for Liberation in the African American Tradition the question of â€Å"did your education encourage you to move† resonated with me throughout the text. Over a series of nineteen articles, the centering theme of the role of education being political tied to the problem of African Americans being subjected to a hegemonic system which places those living at the intersection of race, class, and/or genderRead MoreConstructing My Cultural Identity6012 Words   |  25 Pagesanalysis of my life growing up in Jamaica where I attended colonial school, to making the transition to high school in the Canadian context. I examine the elements that have influenced my cultural/racial identity as a person of African ancestry living in the diaspora. I ask questions such as how has colonial education influenced my cultural identity and how I see myself? I address the complexity of my racial and gender identity drawing on a Black feminist theoretical framework and anticolonial Read MoreThe Cultural Identity Of The African American Community1653 Words   |  7 PagesThe African American community has sat at the end of a discriminatory lens from the moment they set foot in the United States. For that reason, black communities have undergone the process of community building to ensure that all members feel a sense of belonging. Race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, poverty, and sexual orientation, all play a role in developing one’s identity and more often than not, these multiple identities intersect with blackness. Being that American society has deemed colored

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Interpersonal and E-communication T1 2017-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Interpersonal and E-communication T1 2017. Answer: Introduction Transfer of the ideas, thoughts, and messages from one individual to another is generally termed as the process of communication but the exchange data or information among the two entities and the staff of the same can be referred to the reprocess of professional business communication (Fearn-Banks, 2016). This process of transfer of commercial data and information is executed for some of the other corporate benefits. Moreover, this process can also be used by the business organizations for spreading awareness, enhancing brand equity and brand awareness. The communication process conducted by the business entities is done in the form of promotional events and marketing events. The prime objective of this process of communication is to promote the products and services to the potential consumers. Communication process in the form of promotional events has been considered as an empirical element which aids the business entity in developing the goodwill, brand name, and customer base. A ppropriate strategies and plans should be used by the business entity for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the communication process. The below-executed analysis will be done on the contemporary issues faced by the business professional communication process. Professional business communication process has been considered as a crucial and vital task for any of the business entity and the same should be conducted efficiently (Fleischmann et al., 2014). Communication process can be considered as the veins of the organizational body, through which the data and information flow from one hierarchy to another. The communication process is very much essential and plays a significant role internally and externally for a business corporation. Internally it is important for conveying the messages of the individuals to the managerial staff and externally communication process will aid the entity in building and establishing strong relations with the consumers. Here communication process plays a role in bridging the gap between the consumers and firm by transferring the relevant messages. This mechanism plays a crucial role in the success and growth of the business corporation but there are some contemporary issues which are faced by the professional communication process. For instance, use of technological innovations and tools proves beneficial for the business corporation but excessive use of the same can come up as an issue in the process (Grunig, 2013). Another medium of communication can be referred to the business meetings for communicating and transferring of data and information within the organization but at the same time organizing and managing the meetings can be proven a tedious task and can come across as an issue. There is number of such contemporary issues and barriers which are faced by the professional business communication. Technological innovations are considered as one of the biggest revolutionary terms which have enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of all the operations and functions within the business corporation and the same is with the communication process (Hartman, DesJardins and MacDonald, 2014). There have been tremendous changes in the communication process due to the technological advancements. Technology has also been referred to the helping hands for this process and has provided with various contemporary mediums to communicate. These mediums enhance the efficiency of the communication process. Some of the contemporary mediums are Email, Fax, Voice-mail, Intranet messaging etc. And this increases the dependency of the business corporations on the technological advancements for communication purpose. Although the use of technology while communicating increases the effectiveness and efficiency and brings improved and better outcomes. But this can go in a negative sense also as a high reliance on the technology may result in a rise of situations of drama and dissent in the workplace. Technological mediums may be time-saving and accurate but in case of face-to-face communication, when emotions are involved the process will be more effective. So, too much dependency on the technology can be counted as a contemporary issue for the communication process. Listening has been considered as one of the prime element in the process of communication. A good listener is very much significant for successfully completing the process and the good set of interpersonal are required to be possessed by the listener (Glisic and Leppnen, 2013). This will develop a smooth flow of information or messages. Developing the skills among the employees has been considered as one of the crucial and tough tasks for the managers or the superiors and they face difficulties while developing the skills in the staff. Moreover, in case of intense pressure in the business operations, sometimes the seniors may not get time to sit and give training to the individuals. This may also tend the managers to avoid the requirements and messages of the employees and the clients (Bovee, Thill and Raina, 2016). This ignorance leads to the generation of dissatisfaction amongst the consumers and which leads to a decline in the interest towards the brand. This may result in losing the consumers as they can think of switching to the brand. And this has been considered as one of the biggest contemporary issues for the professional business communication process. One of the contemporary media of communicating within the business corporation is meeting the same has been considered as one of the most relevant and time-saving tools of the communication process (Kaufman and Taras, 2016). Meetings are widely conducted in the business organizations for communicating and transferring the messages and confidential messages. This medium proves very much beneficial for the business entity as it saves time and is also less expensive as compared to the other mediums of communication. Communication process conducted by making use of this medium delivers the high level of efficiency. But in some cases, choosing this option may go wrong. Many times the employees often see meetings as time waste and boring. Lack of interest may lead to ineffective and poor results (McDonald, Code and Togher, 2016). Organizing meetings are very much challenging but then also plays a crucial role in the process of professional communication. Diversity in the workplace is one of the biggest strength for any of the business corporation. A pool of diverse range of individuals can be observed in most of the multinational corporations. As diversity has been considered one of the biggest strength of the organizations but then also the same concept has been counted under the list of the contemporary issues for the communication process. Ethnicity and lingual differences are some of the issues which are developed by the diversity in the workforce and dealing with the same are very much difficult for the superiors and the managers (Collis and Hussey, 2013). For instance, due to diversity, the teams are having members with different regions and they speak different languages. This develops difficulties for the managers as they will have to manage and coordinate the communication process. Moreover, differences can also be observed in the ideas and thoughts of the teammates and which will come up as a barrier to the communication pr ocess. These differences may lead to the development of the chances of disputes and conflicts among the employees. Another contemporary issue which can be faced by the professional business communication is gender discrimination. Gender roles consist of gender behaviors associated with being male or female. And due to these differences, there are differences observed in the patterns of the communication process for males and females (Hamilton and Webster, 2015). The managers will have to develop separate communication process and which will be time-consuming and will incur additional expenses (Crane and Matten, 2016). Communicating with the disabled individuals can be considered as one of the contemporary issues in the professional business communication. Due to the pass of ADA (Americans with disabilities act), the business entities are made to provide employment opportunities to the physically disabled that are qualified. In simpler terms, this act has a provision of guarantee for the disabled individuals who are qualified for performing the operations and will not be discriminated on the basis of the disability (Martin and Nakayama, 2013). Dealing with the physically disabled has been considered as an issue for the managers and is counted under the list of contemporary issues of professional business communication. After summing up the above-analyzed essay it has been concluded that the professional business communication process is one of the empirical operations of a business corporation and which is required to be executed essentially and effectively. An efficient communication process will lead the entity to development of a high level of goodwill and brand value. Apart from all the benefits and advantages, the communication process faces the number of contemporary issues. The above essay consists of the number of contemporary issues which decreases the efficiency and effectiveness of the process. References Bovee, C.L., Thill, J.V. and Raina, R.L., 2016. Business communication today. Pearson Education India. Collis, J. and Hussey, R., 2013. Business research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Palgrave macmillan. Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press. Fearn-Banks, K., 2016. Crisis communications: A casebook approach. Routledge. Fleischmann, A., Schmidt, W., Stary, C., Obermeier, S. and Brger, E., 2014. Subject-oriented business process management. Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated. Glisic, S.G. and Leppnen, P.A., 2013. Wireless communications: TDMA versus CDMA. Springer Science Business Media. Grunig, J.E. ed., 2013. Excellence in public relations and communication management. Routledge. Hamilton, L. and Webster, P., 2015. The international business environment. Oxford University Press, USA. Hartman, L.P., DesJardins, J.R. and MacDonald, C., 2014. Business ethics: Decision making for personal integrity and social responsibility. New York: McGraw-Hill. Kaufman, B.E. and Taras, D.G., 2016. Nonunion employee representation: history, contemporary practice and policy. Routledge. Martin, J.N. and Nakayama, T.K., 2013. Experiencing intercultural communication. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. McDonald, S., Code, C. and Togher, L. eds., 2016. Communication disorders following traumatic brain injury. Psychology press.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Contemporary Issues in Law and Society †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Contemporary Issues in Law and Society. Answer: Introduction The best way to define torture is such practices or actions, where severe pain is inflicted on a person so as to force them to either say something or to get them to do something (Hamm, 2007). When a person is tortured, it is deemed that the human rights of an individual are breached and this is the reason why prohibition on torture is deemed as the bedrock principle under the international laws. Torture is an inhumane degrading treatment which is banned across the globe, which includes even such areas where a war is going on. However dire, no national emergency can justify the use of torture. And yet, a number of nations and the armed groups engage in torture for one or the other purpose. To get information on military or national secrets or to get information on where a particular thing is torture is often used (Human Rights Watch, 2017). It is natural to assume that torture is a bad thing. When faced with the fear of life and that of extreme pain, the individuals often lie just to be saved from being tortured. Even though torture is neither lawful nor ethical, it is still permitted in certain societies. And this begs the question of whether torture actually gets the right information, apart from being a morally wrong thing. The thesis statement is that torture which is prevalent in some societies should not be allowed as it does not result in truth being told. The questions which would be researched here are whether such torture techniques are necessary? Whether this is the only medium of attaining the right information? And whether allowing such inhumane thing for truth is worth it? As per one of the articles hosted by Huffington Post, the defence of torture was presented by Sam Harris. He quoted the ticking bomb scenario in order to favour torture of humans, in particular situations. Where a known terrorist plants a bomb, in the very heart of a city and sits before the custody of a person, what would the person do? What should such a human do when the terrorist gloats about the explosion that is coming and which would cause major destruction to everyone in that city. When there is a chance to prevent this imminent threat, by using the techniques of torture and by subjecting the other person to unpleasant and inhumane treatment, would that be deemed as justified? In the debate of ethics of torture, this is deemed as the ticking bomb case. If the reader in the view of Harris (2011) is not moved by the conventional bomb scenario, he states that the same should be replaced by a nuclear bomb than. He emphasized on considering that when terrorists do not care about t he thousands of innocents non-combatants and kill them without blinking an eye, why should they be saved and not be tortured? Is there life more valuable in comparison to that of the infant who just came to the world, or the elderly who tackled the difficulties of life, only to die by the hands of a bombing? Hence, when one can guarantee that so much misery and death can be avoided, then why the terrorists should not be given the rod? The stated that Osama bin Laden should have been tortured, so that hundreds of children had not been slaughtered. He quoted Jonathan Glover, the famous philosopher, where he had stated that when it came to modern war, the most shocking aspect was the poor guide to what is to be deemed as most harmful. He identified the need for an ideal torture pill which would be easily concealed and yet be an instrument to torture, to transit misery and paralysis, which can lead to the terrorist speaking the truth. He stated that the ones, who go against torture, do not seem to comprehend the right kind of torture to get the truth (Harris, 2011). Similar views were presented by Ekman (2016) where he stated that the Republican candidate recommended the torture of the terrorist suspects. Even though Dick Cheney advocated use of torture, the same was not upheld by the President Obama. Obama always condemned torture as a policy to justify the backward steps. Ekman (2016) rightly highlighted that torture did provide reliable information, which could help in settling the issue. He even examined both the sides to come to his conclusion, i.e., one side which condemns the use of torture and the other which upholds the use of torture. He stated that even when torture was allowed and useful information was attained, it could not be possible to know if that particular information is actually true or is accurate, as the probability always remains that the person would speak anything to avoid torture. He also stated that there was a chance that even when the person was speaking the truth, it latter on becomes false, and this again proves t hat contorting to techniques of torture is not the right manner of solving a possible situation (Ekman, 2016). He also questioned upon the harsh interrogation being a success in avoiding attacks like 9/11. He referred to the totalitarian societies of the Soviets and the Nazis, who had no qualms regarding the usage of torture that even these societies were unable to prevent attacks against their civilians and leaders. Same was the case with the methods used by England which were deemed as unlawful by the European Courts and deemed as reprehensible by the Royal Commission, which could not stop the IRA attacks. He stated that no matter how harsh the punishment was used, such attacks could never be completed prevented. And just because it may possibly help, is not a justified reason to abandon the moral foundations of a person (Ekman, 2016). In one of the reports by BBC, the ticking bomb argument was tested where a poll was conducted in 2006 and people were asked about whether torture which could save lives should be deemed as a justification for the suspects being mistreated. This questionnaire was filled in 25 nations where over 27,000 people were questioned. 59% people, across the globe stated that they deemed torture as wrong and were not willing to compromise on the human rights. The opposition was highest in Italy, with 81% votes against torture. Only 20% though that the governments should be allowed to use some degree of torture in specific situations. However, those nations which were engaged in struggle against political violence supported the use of torture; Israel got 43%, Iraq got 42%, India got 32% votes that where torture could save lives, it should be carried. Though, the poll did show that even in such nations, the view of the majority was against torture (BBC, 2014). In the backdrop of 9/11, an article published in The Economist questioned on the torture as a justified means of extracting information, particularly when the terrorist hid in civilian population and where information mattered way more in a war against terrorism. And even this report denied the use of torture as a justified means. In order to give this answer, the article cited different international treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Geneva Conventions and also the UN Convention against Torture, which put a strict ban over any sort of degrading, cruel of inhuman treatment and this is true even in cases of war. Apart from genocide, as per this article, was the only crime which required to be punished irrespective of the time and place of committing this crime. The article also highlights the place where line can be drawn when it comes to such torture. Can a person tickled into submission, persuaded to say the truth, or does it require brandin g the person with red hot irons or maybe beating the individual into a pulp (The Economist, 2007). And also questions on the guarantee of this technique being a success (Jones-Cruise, 2016). Roth and Worden (2005) questioned the very notion of use of torture, which is given as a justification, particularly in context of the ticking time bomb matter. They discussed the issue from a human rights perspective and stated whether torture can actually make the people feel safe or feel okay. The position of moral absolutism, as had been highlighted by Nye (2005) provides that the people should the right thing only when they are right, instead of analysing or evaluating the results of their acts. This perspective condemns torture as being a practice which was unacceptable and also argues that torture should be banned in absolute as it was against the concept of respecting the human rights. Torture was an unjustified thing based on human rights grounds as it dehumanizes people by manipulating them like pawns through pain. Forsythe (2006) noted that even though the rule of law and support for human rights is upheld by the democratic nations, they do adopt repressive policies when t hey have a possible threat to the security of the nation. In view of Dershowitz (2004) torture is something which will occur inevitable and thus, there was a need to adopt a more realistic approach so as to emphasize upon accountability, which could help in minimizing the occurrence of torture and also reduce hypocrisy. However, some scholars adopt the utilitarian argument and criticized the moral perfectionism of the absolutists stating that there was a need for the justice to be done (Levinson, 2004). Elshtain (2004) stated that there was a far more great guilt which the person with authority has to face when they allow the deaths of thousands of innocent people, instead of opting for torture of a person who is complicit or guilty. Bowden (2003) and Posner (2004) stated that in order to effectively deal with the threats which are posed on the national security and for saving innocent lives, there was a need to sacrifice the needs of some; and so, it was justified to contort to torture to obtain key information from the enemy soldiers in order to prevent future attacks. This viewpoint lines up with the ticking bomb case. Green (2005) cited the example of TV show 24 to show how audience perceives it as okay when the hero tortures the terrorist to get certain information. John Stuart Mill, who was a famous philosopher, supported the Utilitarianism viewpoint. He believed that in order to for the greater good, the torture of some was justified. Dershowitz (2004) cited Jeremy Bentham, the utilitarian philosopher as a proponent of torture. Peter Singer, who is deemed as the most controversial philosopher till date, supported the notion of torturing the terrorist in order to safeguard and uphold the greater good (Schaler, 2011). Due to this utilitarian and absolutist position, there is a major uncertainty towards the subject of torture. The policymakers and the public cannot legitimize the use of torture as it clearly breaches the human rights. And even the public opinion polls have shown that torture should never be used even when it can result in getting some vital information (Thomas Hirsh, 2005). The moral stigma, which is undeniable and which is associated with torture is the reason why the public prefers not to know the details which are often plausibly denied by the government leaders, in order to shield themselves in a moral and legal manner (Hersh, 2004). Bowden (2003) has highlighted that the support towards torture stems from the fact that in certain cases, it does help in attaining the desired results, but at the same time, he highlighted that torture does not work always. Carter (2004) highlighted that the information which was attained through torture of the captives led to the successful arrest of Saddam Hussein in the last month of 2003. Though, at the same time, he stated that a huge chunk of literature indicated that coercive interrogations usually extract only unreliable intelligence in way more cases compared to such cases where this information is proved to be of help. Budiansky (2005) highlighted that abusing the prisoners was not a moral or a legal manner of getting information; and also that the same was majorly ineffective. Van Natta (2004) quoted the Army Field Manual where it was stated that the technique which proves to be more effective when dealing with the questioning of prisoners was the direct approach in which the prisoner was asked direct questions with any kind of pressure or coercion. Even though the controversy which surrounds the effectiveness of the torture as a technique continues on, the high number of experts criticizing the use of inhumane techniques vastly undermines the case to adopt torture as a generalized practice to obtain information. Bagaric and Clarke (2005) highlighted the ethics of use of torture, based on the pro torture argument which is given based on the ticking bomb scenario. They stated that when the person is dealt with such a situation, and when there is not enough time to use some other technique apart from torture, then the ethics deemed it necessary to use torture. Though, the views presented by Bufacchi and Arrigo (2006) pose a problem to this scenario as this scenario is very inaccurate when it comes to reality and is just a bias which is made to favour torture. They also stated that torture has no technique or benchmark, so the evidence which is procured from using such techniques lacks the proper validity. Costanzo and Gerrity (2009) also questioned the possibility that the person, who has been detained, even if a known terrorist, might not actually have the required information to prevent the ticking time bomb situation. And that it may also happen that the information may not be the truth. Thu s, there was no way of knowing if this technique was actually of help (Houck et al., 2014). Advice to Parliament From the media review and the literature review presented above, one thing becomes very clear, that even though there are a high number of people who favour torture as a technique of interrogation, it continues to be seen as an unethical and an immoral thing used for abstracting information. And based on this analysis, certain recommendations have been drawn for the Parliament of Australia, along with that of the other nations, and even to the key international human right bodies, which are drawn from the analysis conducted above. The first and foremost requirement for the key institutional bodies and the government is to strengthen the human right laws (Human Rights Watch, 2004). This has to be done in a manner where it explicitly states that torture is something which is illegal, unethical and immoral. So, where an individual is found to be engaged in a torture of another, they would be liable to criminal sentencing. There is a need for the Parliament to ratify the UN provisions particularly with regards to Human Rights. Also, to present before the UN, the need for the other nations to adopt the policies where they do not use torture as a means to obtain information or for any other purpose for that matter. There is a strict need for getting the military of the nation under control along with the law enforcement officers and the like, particularly because they are commonly faced with ticking bomb situations. There is a need to adopt the human rights policies by such personnel as they often use torture as a technique to safeguard the greater good. The entities like the United Nation and its associated bodies need to take strict steps against torture, particularly in war stricken nations, where this technique is commonly used. There is also a need for getting the nations to play a proactive role against torture, but asking the governments of different nations to end any and all sort of torture. This is to take place for not only such nations, which are war stricken, but also for the developed nations like the US, where reports have highlighted that torture is commonly used by the military, to gain/ obtain information from the detainee (Gordon, 2014). UNCAT, i.e., UN Convention against Torture, has to be given more due then what is given at the present time (Nowak McArthur, 2008). There is a need for UN to play a proactive role and get the nations to not only ratify UNCAT but also to drawn up legislations, which are in line with this convention. Conclusion On the basis of the discussion carried above, it can be concluded that torture is something which is commonly used by different nations to get some or other information from the detainee. Torture, even though illegal and unethical, is justified with the help of ticking bomb scenario and also by using the ethical theory of Utilitarianism where the greater good is always given emphasis. The media review discussed in this portfolio shows that the majority of people, from different nations, believed that torture as a technique should not be used to gain information, even when it can save lives. The reason for this view is that torture is deemed as an inhumane act, which needs to be eradicated from the society. The literature review presented the arguments for both supporting and opposing torture as a technique of getting information. In this regard, the utilitarianism view showcased the scholars supporting torture in order to save the lives of countless innocents. But the other side high lighted that torture does not only prove to be of help. The literature and the media report also presented that the information which shows that torture does not present useful information as people often lie to be saved from further torture. Thus, the thesis statement which was drawn at the beginning of this discussion, that that torture which is prevalent in some societies should not be allowed as it does not result in truth being told, has successfully been established through the media and literature review. Also, the torture techniques should be avoided and the direct techniques of getting information should be used due to the non reliability of torture and it being a technique which is simply not justified. References Bagaric, M. Clarke, J. (2005). Not enough official torture in the world? The circumstances in which torture is morally justifiable. University of San Francisco Law Review, 39, 581- 616. BBC. (2014). The 'ticking bomb' problem. Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/torture/ethics/tickingbomb_1.shtml Bowden, M. (2003). The Dark Art of Interrogation. The Atlantic (October), 51-76. Budiansky, S. (2005). Truth Extraction. The Atlantic (June), 32-34. Bufacchi, V. Arrigo, J.M. (2006). 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