Television

[Ramrod]

Learning how to watch tv is as important as maths and physics

LEARNING how to watch television is as important a discipline as maths and science, the Culture Secretary has said.

Ms Jowell has given Ofcom, the communications indus- tries watchdog, a duty to promote †œmedia literacyââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� and is asking broadcasters to help to educate viewers. University media studies courses †â€ÂÂÂ� dismissed as †œvacuousà¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã‚ ÂÂ� by Chris Woodhead, the former Chief Inspector of Schools †â€ÂÂÂ� could play a vital role.

But academics were not convinced that †œmedia literacyââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ� should be given equal weight to maths and science. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research, said: †œStudying the means of communication can be fun but it does not push back the barriers of ignorance. It is far less important than establishing whether something is true, which only a study of sciences can hope to achieve.ââ‚à ƒâ€šÃ‚¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ÂÂ�

What does everyone think of this? My views are probably not suitable for a nice site like this

[downquark1]

Learning to see through media spin maybe a decent thing to learn.

But I don't really understand this. Why bother trying since the majority do it anyway?

[Ramrod]

My problem with the piece is that she is saying that it is as important as physics or maths.

[kronas]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

My problem with the piece is that she is saying that it is as important as physics or maths.

i read this article when it was first published on the BBC site, i strongly agree on what she has stated, many members of the public are gullible and dont question the media, and accept the information given as factual and correct when all it was, was a overhyped mis reported story........

example the women who recently 'joked' about having a bomb, all the press have got the alarm bells ringing that she is going to get 15 years, this is untrue, she will get a minimum of 1 year and can get more as she has commited an offense under that states law for joking about it.......


but they could show lenience........

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by kronas

i read this article when it was first published on the BBC site, i strongly agree on what she has stated, many members of the public are gullible and dont question the media, and accept the information given as factual and correct when all it was, was a overhyped mis reported story........

I don't disagree with that side of the piece.....however, on that note:

Professor Kathy Sykes, of Bristol University, a presenter of BBC Twoââ‚Âà ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s Rough Science series, said: †œItÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÆ ’¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€Å ¾Ã‚¢s crucial that people know how to consider the reliability of media information. But a scientific training is an excellent preparation for being able to handle evidence and assess it. Weââ‚ ¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢re currently risking not having enough trained scientists.âââ€Å ¡Ã‚¬Ã‚ÂÂÂ�

Peter Jones, co-founder of Friends of Classics, said: †œIt was the Ancient Greeks who invented media studies. They taught rhetoric, the art of peaceful persuasion, in Athenian democracy which is what we now call empowerment. Those skills Ms Jowell is seeking should be found in any classics course.ââ‚à ‚¬Ã‚ÂÂ�

[kronas]

ok my apologies the article seemed the same, should have read it all the way through.

i dont understand what scientific training has got to do with it, but a more accurate description is needed, already this seems to a bit drastic action


some people do need to be educated about the manipulation by the media of facts and information many seem to think everything they show is 100% true when in fact some of it is 'questionable' and can show signs of bias and an incorrect angle on things......

of course ms jowell said, will not change the attitudes of many members of the public as they will continue to recieve the news and not dig deep in to other sources or pure fact.......

[Ramrod]

Originally Posted by kronas

i dont understand what scientific training has got to do with it

Degree level training (usually) instills critical appraisal skills.

.....though sadly dosn't do much for my spelling

[kronas]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Degree level training (usually) instills critical appraisal skills.

.....though sadly dosn't do much for my spelling

does it ?

im quite critical of things, i think many others like the idea of a nanny state television esque atmosphere, we have.......