TOPIC 1)

Who is who in the Media? E.g. Directorate governance structures,

Media managers, Sub- editors, Journalists/Reporters,
In the media industry, there are various roles and positions that work together
to create and disseminate news and information. Here are some of the key
positions and their roles:

Directorate governance structures:

These are the individuals responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of a
media organization, including its financial and operational management. They
are typically senior executives, such as CEOs, CFOs, and COOs.

Media managers:
These are mid-level managers responsible for the day-to-day operations of a
media organization. They oversee various departments such as sales, marketing,
production, and editorial.

Editors:
Editors are responsible for overseeing the content of a publication or program.
They work closely with writers, reporters, and other contributors to ensure that
the content is accurate, informative, and engaging. There are different types of
editors, including managing editors, news editors, features editors, and copy
editors.
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Sub-editors:
Sub-editors (also known as copy editors) are responsible for editing and
proofreading articles to ensure that they are grammatically correct, free of
spelling errors, and adhere to the publication's style guidelines.

Journalists/Reporters:
Journalists and reporters are responsible for researching, reporting, and writing
news stories. They may work in a variety of mediums, including print, broadcast,
and digital media. They are responsible for gathering information, conducting
interviews, and presenting news in a clear and concise manner.

TOPIC 2)

Five reasons Why the media use women as Advertising agents?

Women are seen as more relatable:

Many advertisers believe that women are better at connecting with audiences
because they are often seen as more relatable. Women are often portrayed in
advertisements as nurturing, caring, and compassionate, which can help to build
trust and credibility with consumers.

Women are often the primary consumers:

Women are responsible for a large percentage of household purchases and are
often the primary decision-makers when it comes to buying products and
services. By using women in advertising, companies can appeal directly to this
key demographic.

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Women can help to break stereotypes:
Many advertisers are now using women in more diverse roles to help break
down gender stereotypes. For example, women are now being portrayed as
successful business leaders, scientists, and athletes, which can help to challenge
traditional gender roles.

Women are seen as attractive:

Let's face it, women are often seen as more attractive than men, and this can
help to grab the attention of consumers. Advertisers often use attractive women
in advertisements to help sell products and services.

Women can help to create an emotional connection:

Women are often seen as more emotional than men, and advertisers believe
that by using women in advertisements, they can create a stronger emotional
connection with consumers. This can help to build brand loyalty and increase
sales over the long term.

TOPIC 3)
Why the media should be a focus of gender and feminist
activism
The media is an important institution in shaping societal attitudes and beliefs,
and it has a significant impact on how individuals perceive and understand
gender roles, identities, and relations. Therefore, the media is a crucial area for
gender and feminist activism.

Media representation shapes public opinion:

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The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and opinions about
gender and feminism. The way women and marginalized groups are
represented in the media can influence how society views them and can
perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

The media perpetuates gender inequality

The media often perpetuates gender inequality by promoting a narrow
definition of beauty and reinforcing traditional gender roles. Women are often
objectified and portrayed in subordinate roles, while men are portrayed as
powerful and dominant.

The media influences policy decisions:

The media has the power to influence policy decisions that impact gender and
feminist issues. By controlling the narrative around certain issues, the media can
shape public opinion and influence policy decisions that may have a direct
impact on the lives of women and marginalized groups.

The media has a wide reach:

The media has a wide reach and can influence people across different cultures,
age groups, and socio-economic backgrounds. As such, the media has the
potential to be a powerful tool for promoting gender equality and feminist
activism.

The media can amplify voices:

The media can amplify the voices of marginalized groups and provide a
platform for them to share their experiences and perspectives. By giving voice
to these groups, the media can help raise awareness about gender and feminist
issues and promote social change
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Overall, the media plays a significant role in shaping societal attitudes towards
gender and gender-based discrimination. As such, it is essential for gender and
feminist activists to engage with the media to promote more inclusive,
equitable, and diverse representation of gender in media, challenge harmful
stereotypes, and advocate for gender equality and social justice.

TOPIC 4)
Types of media e.g. Mainstream or mass media, Newspapers broadcast
mediums of television and radio

Media refers to various forms of communication channels that are used to

disseminate information, news, entertainment, and other content to a large
audience. Some of the common types of media include:

Mainstream or Mass Media

is: Mainstream media refers to the traditional forms of media that reach a large
and diverse audience, such as newspapers, television, radio, and magazines.
They are usually owned and operated by large corporations or media
conglomerates.

Newspapers:
Newspapers are a form of print media that provide local, national, and
international news, features, and editorials to their readers. They are often
published on a daily or weekly basis and are available in both print and online
formats.

Broadcast Media:

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Broadcast media refers to the electronic media that transmit information via
airwaves or satellite signals. This includes television and radio broadcasting.

Television: Television is a visual medium that provides news, entertainment,

sports, and other programs to a large audience. It has various channels that
cater to different audiences and interests.

Radio: Radio is an audio medium that provides news, music, and other
programs to a large audience. It can be accessed through different platforms,
including AM and FM radio stations, satellite radio, and internet radio.

Social Media: Social media is a digital platform that enables users to create,
share, and exchange information, ideas, and content. It includes platforms like
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

TOPIC 5)
Women who owned media in sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a West African country with a population of approximately 7.9

million people. Historically, women have been underrepresented in the media
industry in Sierra Leone, particularly in ownership positions. However, there are
some notable women who have broken through this barrier and owned media
outlets in the country.

One such woman is Sylvia Blyden, who is a journalist, publisher, and former
Minister of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children's Affairs. She founded and
owned the Awareness Times newspaper, which was known for its critical

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reporting on government corruption and human rights abuses. However, in
2020, the newspaper was forced to shut down due to financial difficulties.

Another woman who has owned media in Sierra Leone is Ade Campbell. She is
the founder and CEO of Switsalone, an online platform that focuses on news
and cultural content related to Sierra Leone. Campbell started Switsalone in
2008 and has since grown it into one of the most popular online news sources in
the country.

In addition to Blyden and Campbell, there are also other women who have
made significant contributions to the media industry in Sierra Leone, such as
Margaret Jah-Matturi, who was the first female editor of a newspaper in the
country. While women have faced challenges in owning and operating media
outlets in Sierra Leone, these women serve as inspirations and role models for
future generations of women who aspire to break into the industry.

TOPIC 6)
Magazines in Sierra Leone and their sub region

Sierra Leone is a West African country that is home to a number of magazines

covering various topics, including current events, politics, culture,
entertainment, and lifestyle. Here are some of the magazines in Sierra Leone
and its sub-region:

Awoko:
Awoko is a daily newspaper and online news portal based in Sierra Leone. It
covers local and international news, business, sports, entertainment, and more.

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Sierra Leone Magazine:
Sierra Leone Magazine is a quarterly publication that covers various aspects of
Sierra Leonean life and culture, including travel, tourism, history, arts, and
more.

Salone Jamboree:
Salone Jamboree is an entertainment and lifestyle magazine that focuses on
Sierra Leonean music, fashion, beauty, and celebrity news.

The Patriotic Vanguard:

The Patriotic Vanguard is a Canadian-based online news portal that covers
news and events in Sierra Leone and other West African countries.

West Africa Magazine:

West Africa Magazine is a quarterly publication that covers politics, business,
and culture in West Africa, including Sierra Leone.

Overall, Sierra Leone and its sub-region have a variety of magazines covering
different aspects of life and culture in the region.

TOPIC 7)
Gender Representations in Contemporary Film

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Gender representation in contemporary film has been a topic of discussion and
debate for many years. While there have been some improvements in recent
years, many argue that there is still a long way to go in terms of gender equality
and representation in the film industry.

One of the most significant issues in gender representation in film is the

underrepresentation of women in leading roles. Women are often portrayed as
supporting characters or as objects of desire for male characters, rather than
being given complex and nuanced roles of their own. This not only reinforces
gender stereotypes, but it also limits the opportunities for female actors to
showcase their talents.

Another issue in gender representation is the portrayal of women as sexual

objects. This is often done through the use of camera angles, lighting, and
wardrobe choices, which emphasize a woman's physical appearance over her
character and personality. This can contribute to the objectification of women
and perpetuate harmful societal norms around gender and sexuality.

In recent years, there have been some notable examples of films that have
tackled these issues head-on and provided more diverse and nuanced
representations of gender. For example, films like "Wonder Woman," "Black
Panther," and "Crazy Rich Asians" have all been praised for their diverse casts
and empowering portrayals of women and people of color.

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TOPIC 8)

. The gendered aspect of the media e.g.: print and the electronics, and
five Advantages and disadvantages of print and electronic media
The gendered aspect of media refers to the ways in which media messages and
representations are influenced by gender norms and stereotypes. For example,
media often perpetuates the idea that men are strong and powerful while
women are weak and passive. This can have negative effects on how individuals
perceive themselves and others.

Print media refers to any type of media that is printed on paper, such as newspapers,
magazines, books, brochures, flyers, and posters. These materials are produced
using a printing press or digital printing technology, and can be distributed
physically or digitally.

Examples of print media include:

Newspapers:

Magazines:

Flyers:

Posters:

Electronic media, on the other hand, refers to any type of media that is
delivered electronically, such as TV, radio, websites, social media, podcasts, and
e-books. These materials are created using digital technology and can be
accessed via electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Examples of electronic media include:

TV:

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Radio:

Websites: like Wikipedia, Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, etc.

Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.

Advantages of print media:

Tangibility: Print media is a physical form of communication, meaning it can be

touched and physically carried around, which makes it easier to remember and
refer back to.

Permanence: Print media, once printed, can exist for a long time without
needing to be updated or changed. This allows for information to remain
accessible for long periods of time.

Targeted Audience: Print media can be targeted to specific audiences based on

their interests, demographics, and reading habits.

Credibility: Printed news articles and reports are often viewed as more credible
and trustworthy compared to their online counterparts.

Disadvantages of print media:

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Limited reach: Print media has a limited reach in terms of audience, as it can
only be distributed to a certain number of people within a certain geographical
area.

Expensive: Printing and distributing physical media can be expensive,

particularly for small businesses or organizations with limited budgets.

Limited interaction: Print media is a one-way communication, meaning there is

limited interaction between the reader and the publisher.

Slow to produce: The process of creating and printing print media can be time-
consuming, particularly if a high-quality product is desired.

Environmental impact: Print media contributes to deforestation and other

environmental issues.

Advantages of electronic media:

Wide reach: Electronic media can reach a global audience quickly and easily,
allowing for a much larger reach than print media.

Interactivity: Electronic media can offer a much higher level of interactivity,

engagement, and feedback than print media, making it a more engaging form of
communication.

Less effective: Electronic media is typically much more cost-effective than print
media, as there are no printing or distribution costs involved.
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Fast to produce: Electronic media can be created and distributed quickly,
making it a more agile form of communication.

Disadvantages of electronic media:

Short lifespan: Electronic media can quickly become outdated or obsolete,

requiring constant updates and changes to remain relevant.

Intangibility: Electronic media is intangible and cannot be physically held or

carried around, which can make it less memorable and harder to refer back to.

Reliance on technology: Electronic media requires reliable technology to be

effective, which can be a barrier for some audiences.

Security concerns: Electronic media can be vulnerable to security breaches or

hacking, potentially compromising sensitive information.

Potential for addiction: Electronic media can be addictive, with individuals

spending excessive amounts of time consuming digital content and neglecting
other aspects of their lives.

TOPIC 9)
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The politics of makeover television.
Makeover television is a genre of reality television that involves the
transformation of a person's physical appearance, lifestyle, or environment. The
shows typically focus on fashion, beauty, home renovation, or weight loss, and
often feature a team of experts who work together to achieve the makeover.

One criticism of makeover television is that it reinforces certain beauty

standards and social norms. Shows that promote weight loss or extreme beauty
treatments can reinforce the idea that a person's worth is based on their
appearance. Additionally, shows that focus on home renovation or fashion can
perpetuate classism by promoting expensive, aspirational lifestyles that may be
unattainable for many viewers.

Another criticism of makeover television is that it often relies on exploiting the

vulnerability of participants. Many shows depict people who are unhappy with
their appearance or lifestyle, and the promise of transformation can be a
powerful incentive. However, the process of transformation can be emotionally
taxing and can result in the participant feeling even more vulnerable.

There is also a question of who benefits from the transformation depicted on

makeover television. Often, it is the experts who are credited with the
transformation, rather than the participant themselves. This can be seen as a
way of reinforcing the idea that experts are necessary to guide people towards a
better life.

Overall, the politics of makeover television are complex, and the genre can both
reinforce and challenge existing power dynamics. While some shows can be
empowering and promote self-care and self-love, others can be exploitative and
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perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It is important to critically examine the
messages and power dynamics at play in each individual show

Complied by: Kailondo the pen pusher

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