Thursday, 18 October 2012

Annotated Bibliography



The role of journalists is not black and white. Reporting is not only confined to the facts, but often it is extended into areas that remain morally and ethically grey.  This is especially the case where journalists are posted in dangerous areas, where the safety of the journalist is often put into peril in favour of getting ‘the scoop’. This annotated bibliography will firstly analyse an academic article about the contemporary role of journalism today.  It will then analyse three sources, each of different mediums, written by journalists in the midst of the conflict in Syria. Through the analysis of each author and their work, this bibliography with highlight the role of journalists as first-hand eyewitnesses and the way in which they communicate back to the public at large. Each source will be analysed based on their credibility and the transparency of the arguments as well as the importance of their role as journalist to communicate the news and their opinions to the people at home. 

(Journal Article)Deuze, Mark. (2006). Liquid Journalism. International Communication Association & American Political Science Association; Political Communication Report. 16 (1), 1-4. 

Deuze, associate professor at the Indiana University in Bloomington, has done extensive research in the field of mass communication and journalism and has published several works surrounding these issues (Deuze, 2011). In his article ‘Liquid Journalism’ Deuze focuses on the evolution of mass communications and the changing views of journalism. He argues that the role the media plays in society is either considered to be a ‘mere mirror of the changes taking place in world society’ or otherwise seen as taking on a more independent role with the media having the ability to impact on cultural, economic and political trends within society. In support of his argument Deuze cites recognised social philosophers and provides factual evidence. However although Deuze focuses on the changing role of journalism, this article fails to articulate the reason behind this change.  In focusing only on the way in which the change affects us he fails to provide context for the change and an understanding of the underlying causes. Nonetheless this article is clearly well researched and shows transparency in that it is well referenced and the arguments presented are thoroughly supported. Furthermore the APSA Political Communication Report is a well-established journal that is well known for its reports on politics and mass communication. In relation to Syria, this article highlights the way in which mass communications and  journalistic views can impact on the views and beliefs of society and therefore the way in which a journalist’s reporting on the situation in Syria can influence society and impact not just on the present situation but also on the future one.

(Online Newspaper Article)

Black, Ian. (2012, 8 October). We'll arm the Syrian rebels – but only those who share our values. The Guardian. Retrieved from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/08/romney-arms-syria-rebels

Ian Black has worked for The Guardian for over twenty-five years as its European editor, diplomatic editor, foreign leader writer and current Middle East editor and correspondent. In 2010 Ian was awarded a Peace through Media Award by the International Council for Press and Broadcasting for his work (The Guardian, 2012). In his most recent article, which focuses on the American presidential debate and the issues surrounding the situation of the Syrian rebels, Black highlights the differences between the two presidential candidates of Obama and Romney and the major differences in their proposed policies in Syria. The article is peppered with quotes from the two candidates and includes references to past instances such as the 1979 peace treaty with Israel and the need to continue to maintain it. Black, throughout this article expresses his personal opinion which reflects his own political and ideological views. However his opinion and personal views carry weight due to the extent of the knowledge he possesses as a resident in the Middle East and a first-hand witness. The article is particularly focused on the views and portrayals of candidate Romney with Black questioning many of his statements. However Blacks arguments are not heavily persuasive as this article is lacking in detailed background information on the Syrian situation. By failing to provide more detail, especially given his first-hand knowledge, Black misses an opportunity to totally win the reader over to his point of view. As a result of this lack of information, it was difficult to understand the full and very complex issues in America’s involvement with Syria. The Guardian is a creditable and renowned British newspaper that has been printing newspapers for close to a century and has remained influential and holds significant political sway in the UK.

(Magazine Article)
Zakaria, Fareed. (2012, June 11). The Case Against Intervention in Syria. Time Magazine World. Retrieved: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2116135,00.html#ixzz28uAlFyCr
The Time magazine is the world’s largest circulations weekly news magazine with a readership of over 25 million. Zakaria is an editor at large at The Time magazine and has worked in foreign affairs for over two decades (Timeinc. 2007).  Zakaria’s experience within the field of reporting is evident throughout the article as he articulates his expressions and views on the brutal regime of Bashar Assad and uses history as evidence to support his opinions. This article questions the current method of the United States in dealing with Assad and, though the use of different instances, including the latest massacre of civilians in Houla, the article forces the reader to question the current strategy and the role the United States has played. This argument is further aligned with the argument of Ian Black, aforementioned, in that he criticises the Unites-States position and places emphasis on the politics of the intervention. Zakaria enforces his main arguments against the intervention in Syria through the use of stories, factual evidence and statistics.  Zakaria views are very clear and although he doesn’t provide any counter arguments he highlights several arguments as to why he believes military intervention is unlikely to work in Syria, and provides reasoning and examples for each. In presenting his argument in this format, Zakaria is able to provide a credibility and transparency that helps communicate with the reader and further helps provide an authenticity to the article.

 (Chapter from Book)
Starr, S. (2012) Damascus: Dragged towards Revolt in Revolt in Syria: Eyewitness to the uprising. London, United Kingdom. C Hurst and Co. Retrieved: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revolt-Syria-Eye-Witness-Stephen-Starr/dp/1849041970

Stephen Starr, in his chapter Damascus: Dragged towards Revolt, writes about his experience as a journalist living in the midst of the violence in the Middle East and highlights several of his opinions on the uprising in Syria. This book was published by C Hurst and Co, a well-known British publishing house that specialises in Global Affairs. Starr provides a vivid account of the first few months of the uprising and his life as a journalist living amongst it. In doing so he presents his ideas on the way in which Syria differs from other Arab uprisings and the role the media played in representing the situation throughout the country. Starr goes on to criticise the propaganda under the current regime and expresses his opinions on the resolve of the Syrian people. Although this chapter, and in effect this book, is a personal account of the author’s experiences and it is clearly subjective in that it is the authors personal beliefs, the arguments are well presented and supported by factual evidence including citations from other recognised scholars. Unlike Zakaria in his article (discussed above), Starr highlights and criticises various problems in Syria including the role of the media and the position of the United-States. However despite his criticisms he does not present any possible solutions to the problems he raised. Although this meant there was a lack of balance it was clear that this book was both well-researched and well-funded which therefore afforded it the opportunity to present itself as a creditable resource.


References.

Time Inc. (2007). About Us. Retrieved from: http://www.timeinc.com/home/

Deuze, Mark. (2011). Department of Telecommunications. Indiana University Bloomington. Retrieved from:  http://www.indiana.edu/~telecom/people/faculty/deuze.shtml

The Guardian. (2012). Ian Black – Profile. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved from:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ianblack

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