Annotated Bibliography
Much of what is broadcast in the media
relies on cultural, religious and social connotations to reinforce its significance.
Media relies on the public to experience specific reactions to certain instances
and/or images, which relate to contemporary issues of great importance. This
bibliography attempts to pinpoint instances in the media where religious and
cultural instantiation is perceived in relation to certain events of social
significance.
Hoover, S.M. (2011). Media
and the imagination of religion in contemporary global culture. European Journal of Cultural studies, 14 , 610-625. DOI:
10.1177/1367549411419980.
This article, written by Professor Stewart M.
Hoover, effectively examines how the ‘mediation’ of religion in contemporary society
has greatly impacted upon the way religion is communicated and conceptualized throughout
the globe. Professor Hoover, respected as
an expert on religion in the media at the University of Colorado, USA, skilfully
addresses key ideas on the media’s ability to ‘instantiate’ religions (Stewart M. Hoover, n.d.). He uses pertinent
examples such as the Bali bombings, 9/11 and the 2008 US presidential election
to successfully pinpoint the idea of religious power within the media, and how
instances are manipulated for certain effect. Hoover draws upon key
intellectuals such as academic Author Benedict Anderson to support his argument.
He intelligently utilizes Anderson’s “notion of ‘imagination’” to underline the
idea that media’s influence on religion and spiritual thought aids in disconnecting
traditional perspectives of religions from their true source (Hoover, 2011). He precisely
examines religious and political use of new media platforms, and how the
representation, and reception of religion is changing in our rapidly evolving society
of free speech and developing broadcasting technologies. He further stresses
the idea that this extension of religious and spiritual reach can be used for
both good and bad means, through the control of religious “symbols, values and
truth claims”(Hoover, 2011). This article is both relevant and well researched, which helps
in adding to the believability of Hoover’s claims.
Gregory,
David. Williams, Brian. (Writer). (2011, May 1) NBC News Special Report – Full Length – Osama Bin Laden Dead. [Television
Report]. United States of America: NBC.
This NBC coverage of the death of Osama Bin
Laden on 1st May 2011 was broadcast live throughout America. Throughout the broadcast, hosts David
Gregory and Brian Williams constantly discuss the past
efforts to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden, while awaiting the President’s
address. Much of this conversation is conducted with government officials and senior
journalists, who convincingly supply running details of present and past situations,
and what the death of Bin Laden will mean to America. Much of this pre-announcement
discussion however, is simply speculation as to how Bin Laden was killed, which
amuses the public, but does not provide any solid information. On the bottom right
of the screen, images of Bin Laden are displayed, which hold both religious and
cultural connotations that, as expressed in Hoover’s article, are used to symbolise
terror on America. These images are also followed with images of the aftermath
of 9/11, which again relates to Hoover’s comments on instantiation in the
media. The presenters refer to 9/11 and the American ‘humiliation’ often, in
order to reinforce the significance of Bin Ladens Death. Throughout the
broadcast, on the top right hand of the screen (directly on top of the images
of Bin Laden), remains a picture of the white house, which presents a powerful
image of American domination. This broadcast is entertaining and well researched,
but unfortunately reinforces cultural and religious stereotypes.
Griffin, Jennifer. Fishel, Justin. Associated Press. (2011, May 2). Usama Bin Laden Killed in Firefight With U.S.
Special Ops Team in Pakistan. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/
This web article
for Fox News written on the 2nd May 2011, delivers a concise account
of the death of Osama Bin Laden, as well as the reactions of the people and
reliable quotes from president Obama’s announcement to the American public. Fox
News—renowned to have a very patriotic view—presents the matter from a very
American stand-point in order to emphasise their great achievement and strength.
The large picture dominating the top of the article immediately places
religious and cultural connotations connecting religion and terror to Bin
Laden. These religious implications are addressed further down in the article
however, as the authors make it clear (aided by Obama’s speech) that “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of
Muslims,”(Griffin, 2011). The information relating to
Obama’s speech presented in the article is reliable, and the information
regarding how Bin Laden died, and how his body is being treated, is attributed
to ‘Government Officials’(Griffin, 2011). The word ‘terrorism’ is used, along with 9/11, (which
both carry heavy cultural, emotional and religious undertones) to add
importance and fear to the report.
ABC News. (2011). Osama bin Laden dead. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-02/osama-bin-laden-dead/2697808
This group
of images on ABC News Australia’s website present a silent but powerful portrayal
of the significance of the death of Osama Bin Laden. The 29 images present a
less Americanised perspective of the effect of Bin Laden’s death, and represent
both American and Afghani people celebrating. The religious, cultural,
political and social symbolism in this particular media report is very
powerful, and can therefore speak for itself. This symbolism however, can be both positive and negative, depending on the individual's perspective. Pictures of Bin Laden are displayed,
as well as American Presidents Obama and Bush. There are also pictures of the
Twin Tower attack, Pakistani soldiers, pro-Taliban activists, mourning
Americans, American soldiers, and even the coffin of an Iriqi victim of an Al Qaeda
attack during November 2010. It is clear that in this piece, ABC is attempting
to present every side of this story as possible. The use of pictures to tell
this story is very effective, as the use of a visual replay of events is
instant, and has a more emotional affect on its audience. As raw evidence of
the events surrounding Bin Laden’s death, it is easy to believe these pictures
tell the truth, however, they are just as easily open for interepretation.
References
ABC News. (2011). Osama
bin Laden dead. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-02/osama-bin-laden-dead/2697808
Gregory, David. Williams, Brian. (Writer). (2011,
May 1) NBC News Special Report – Full Length
– Osama Bin Laden Dead. [Television Report]. United States of America: NBC.
Griffin, Jennifer.
Fishel, Justin. Associated Press. (2011, May 2). Usama Bin Laden Killed in Firefight With U.S.
Special Ops Team in Pakistan. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/
Hoover, S.M. (2011). Media and
the imagination of religion in contemporary global culture. European Journal of Cultural studies, 14 , 610-625. DOI:
10.1177/1367549411419980.
Stewart
M. Hoover. (n.d.) http://journalism.colorado.edu/faculty/stewart-m-hoover/
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