Is theMedia Exploiting People for Entertainment purposes?

S4 Persuasive Essay Writing

Definition of Exploitation1. use or utilization, especially for profit: the

exploitation of newly discovered oil fields. 2. selfish utilization: He got ahead through the

exploitation of his friends. 3. the combined, often varied, use of public-

relations and advertising techniques to promote a person, movie, product, etc.

Vulnerable People

Ceri ReeseX- Factor 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2011Watch the clip below and make notes on:

The music being played as she is introduced.The tone used by the judges when speaking to her.The amount of screen time spent on her audition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsLebW5K3hoHow did you feel watching that clip? Did you find

it funny or uncomfortable to watch?What is it that people are finding so entertaining?

BackgroundIn order to get as far as to audition in front of the

judges contestants must go through a series of producer auditions.

It was reported that Ceri’s voice coach begged the producers not to allow her on again in 2011.

I was also reported that the producers approached Ceri to appear.

Reportedly, Gary Barlow rifled through her bag in scenes cut from the show.

NB It is important that you know Ceri’s mental health has never been confirmed.

Shirlena JohnsonX Factor 2010Watch the following video making notes on:

Audience reactionJudge’s reaction? Genuine? Correct?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff7SkPF8IuQ

Shirlena was later dropped from the show after her mental health issues were brought to light.

What do you think the judge’s intentions were of putting her through?

Vanessa Feltz CBB1Watch the following short clip.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWRxT7FJBa0What is happening to Vanessa here? What is your reaction?Should this have been televised?What is the point of Big Brother now after 11 years? Is it just a constant parade of exploited young

‘wannabes’ there for the sole purpose of providing entertainment or is it a genuine psychological comment on society and variety of culture within UK today?

Susan Boyle BGTAfter coming 2nd in the competition Susan was

admitted to a clinic to recover from a mental breakdown.

Should her vulnerability have meant that she shouldn’t have been allowed on the show?

Does her success outweigh any negative impact of the breakdown?

Aren’t people with mental health issues entitled to the same rights as those without?

Is the responsibility with the contestants or the producers to monitor this?

Social ImplicationsDo you think reality shows are in danger of

affecting societies attitude to mental health?Is it showing mental health as a source of

entertainment, demeaning the work of those who have fought to make the topic more acceptable and less humiliating?

Is it showing equal rights by allowing these people to get the publicity eg Susan Boyle’s success?

Children

Entertainment vs Education‘Supernanny’ ‘Brat Camp’‘Can Fat Teens Camp?’‘Teenage Tourette’s Camp’‘Dana: The Eight Year Old Anorexic’‘The House of Tiny Tearaways’Public humiliation for kids OR educating

adults?

RealityJeremy Kyle – DNA tests.

Does this need to be public?What are the implications for the child in the

future?

Newspapers.13 year old father.Was it in his best interest for this to be

publicised?Is this newsworthy? Did we need to know the

identity of the boy?

Parental decisions vs Producers’ responsibility‘Jon and Kate plus 8’ ‘Kerry Katona’ ‘Katie

Price’ ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’Is it in the child’s best interests to be on

these shows?How are they being portrayed?What effect will this exposure have on the

children as they mature? School, work, social life etc.

‘Child Star Goes Off The Rails’

Celebrities’ Personal Lives

Exploitative Newsgathering MethodsPhone hacking scandals.Paparazzi stalking in packs.Fake sources?Implications?Newsworthy?Are they being exploited for their fame?

Deathshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbVPdR26

CesHeath Ledger’s death led to ‘The Dark

Knight’ being one of the biggest selling movies of that year.

Amy Winehouse – ‘new’ album out in December.

Michael Jackson – Album, Tour, DVD, Film, Doctor’s Trial coverage.

Glossy MagazinesCelebrities’ weight.Love life.Breakdowns.Trauma.Selling millions of magazines every day. Magazines report a rise in sales depending

on which celebrity is on the front cover.

Celebrities exploiting media?Phone calls to media telling them where they

will be and with whom.Promote a new venture by ‘courting’ the

media, leaking scandals, creating rumours etc.

Now What?

ResearchYou now need to go and research this topic to

inform the points in your essay.What constitutes valid evidence?

Quotes from professionals/those directly involved eg mental health organisations, media professors, media professionals, Simon Cowell, contestants, etc.

Statistics from studies.Case studies.

Decide which areas you are going to concentrate on in your essay and which side you agree with.

RememberYou are not restricted to the areas mentioned

on this powerpoint. These are only here to give you ideas and get you started.

These points are not made to persuade you one way or the other but to get you thinking.