Key Assessment - Black Lives Matter
Key Assessment - Black Lives Matter
1. Consider how the protesters are represented (looking at body language, clothing, facial expression, camera angle, any music/speech if applicable)
My chosen Media source - Al Jazeera Video - George Floyd Death: Police brutality persists as officers charged - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mgPjDYt0Jk
My reasoning for choosing Al Jazeera as my media source is because they have a generalized scope of international news outlets, and in my opinion, strive to be impartial more than most media platforms. They also focus less on reporting western culture and give more coverage on global issues.
The protestors in Al Jazeera’s video are represented as peaceful yet powerful. This is shown through their selected footage of extremely wide camera shots that capture the mass gathering of marches and chanting of protestors, as they collide as one to invoke their needs for defunding the police and creating justice for people of colour within society.
The same representation of peacefulness in the protests, is also shown through the body language and facial expression of the protestors. They are seen to be dynamic and determined as they march with passion, looking courageous and empowered as the diverse amount of people stand with one another, fighting for change.
However, their expressions are filled with anger and devastation at the police brutality against the African American community, especially seen with the police’s retaliation towards the protests. In the video, many police are seen to be abusing the protestors, using batons to beat them, spraying tear gas, shooting rubber bullets, using pepper spray and physically pushing them to the ground. The protestors are represented as calm, as they do not resist the police, but instead are walking and chanting peacefully and yet they are still being attacked. This portrays the protestors as victims as we witness their body language non defensive, with their hands in the air and their facial expressions squirming with fear and anxiety at the harsh, excessive and cruel actions the police are enforcing upon them.
Al Jazeera also represents the protestors as respectful, this is captured through their chosen close up footage of a protestor holding a sign with quotations stating George Floyd’s last words, before he was murdered, being “I can’t breathe”. This shows respect as the protestors are confronting the police with the horrific murder acts, they have committed, using language printed on a sign. These signs also shed light onto the brutality people of colour are facing, but in a peaceful and respectful manner. The protestors are also represented as respectful through their clothing, as many are seen to be wearing the colour black, in honor of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Many are also seen to be wearing PPE masks, to protect others from contracting COVID-19. This shows the protestors are respectful of other people’s health, by taking precautionary action to prevent the spreading of the virus.
The speeches also covered in the video, represent the protestors as good people who are desperate to fight for a better society with more equality and justice. This is shown through the chants of protestors saying, “hands up don’t shoot”. This emphasizes the submission people of colour have had to take when threatened by police brutality. Al Jazeera including this speech in the video, helps expand upon the racism and oppression the black community are faced with from the police and expresses their want for change. At the end of Al Jazeera’s video, it frames a close up on a young black female protestor (who looks very young), preaching alongside her fellow protestors, repeating, “No Justice, no peace”. The commentary on this part of the video states “protestors hope change will come in this little girl’s lifetime”. Both the visual and audible representation of the protestors, reflects them to be also representative of the people of the future, as they fight with passion, for justice towards African Americans in society.
2. Consider how the police are represented (consider all the above and whether it's more positive/negative)
The police in Al Jazeera’s video are represented in mostly a negative light. Their use of varied images and footage of police brutality against protestors, from various states, reveals the generalized abusive approach the police are taking towards the protestors and captures them as the attackers.
The representation of police is that they are seen to be very defensive, as most of them are shown to be wearing fully armored gear and their body language is firm, straight and broad. This enhances the representation of them being seen in a negative light, as it reflects the police as fearful and dominant towards the protestors, using their armory and posture to create intimidation. An example of this is the wide camera shots the video shows, capturing the National Guard clothed in their full gear holding guns, as they walk with dominance controlling Hollywood Boulevard. They are also seen with other soldiers patrolling military vehicles. Again, this reflects the police as being excessive forces, as they try to be overpowering. This also prevents protestors because if they even attempt to march, preach or protest their rights down Hollywood Boulevard, they will be risking their lives.
The police are also represented as brutal through repeated footage of their forceful body language, as their actions towards the peaceful protestors are shown to be cruel and uncalled for. Although not all the police are using violence against the protestors, and some clips in the video even show a group of police dancing peacefully alongside the protestors. The negative, harmful actions that most police are using, weighs out the good.
For instance, in the beginning of the video, an old man is seen to be approaching the police passively, as he tries to protest, and the officers push him forcefully to the ground, causing him to bleed from his brain, out to his ear. Another example of police brutality, shown in Al Jazeera’s video, is a clip that captures tear gas being spread, targeting the protestors, and the sound of rubber bullets are fired causing fearful screams to fill the air. The police are also shown to be attacking two African American people in their car, using tasers without them even protesting, they are targeted for no reason. The narration on this section of the video, explains how the “the injustice continues” and highlights the depth of brutality the police will go to, in order to harm the people they are supposed to be protecting.
The video also disclosed information on what the police are being constructed to do. The example that was shown, explained how the President of the United States, Donald Trump, ordered for the area outside the White House to be cleared of protestors, for him to ‘take a walk’. The police tear gassed and shot rubber bullets at the protestors. This gives more insight as to why the police are being so destructive, as their orders are extreme, alike their President’s approach towards the protests. To expand on this issue of extremity, Al Jezera also stated in their narration that ‘over the past 40 years, government funding for the police has tripled to more than a 100 billion dollars, even though crime rates are decreasing’. I found this to be introspective of the general issue surrounding the police system and gives an overall statement upon how this is not only an issue with police brutality but is equally an issue of abusing power. This again reinforces another reason as to why there are protests, because society wants not only equality, but also de-funding of the police, to prevent injustice.
The mid close up shots used to frame the police, in Al Jazeera’s video, shows very little of their faces, as they cover them with protective shields in order to ‘defend’ themselves, although the only violence occurring is seen to be from their own colleagues. However, the glimpse of expression from the officers that are shown, in the video, reveals both the rage and anger the brutal police are expressing physically, and captures some of the peaceful police, smiling with the protestors. The expressions shown mostly feature the angered, aggressive police, but the balance of the ones that stand with the protestors, represent that not all police are fighting against the movement and want change and equality too.
3. Who do you think the target audience is?
I personally believe the target audience of this video is aimed at people who support the Black Lives Matter Movement, and for those who want to seek justice and change within the police system, to put an end to the inequality, racism and brutality people of colour are facing. I also believe the age range of this video is targeted at those who are 12 or above. Although it contains some graphic content, the main purpose of the video is to educate people on the issues revolving around the protests, and those who are adolescents should be able to have an understanding of America's state right now, whether it makes them uncomfortable or not, people should be faced with the reality and truth of the matter.
The video is uploaded on YouTube, with no age restrictions, this represents how Al Jazeera are allowing viewers to access the video easily to those of all ages who use YouTube as a platform for entertainment. However, I am aware, many youth will not be consuming news as media content, but my point is focusing upon the accession of the video, as Al Jazeera will be aware that YouTube is a platform targeted at people of all ages.
To conclude, I believe there is no gender, religion or ethnicity target audience for this video, as it focuses on the general scope of protestors who conclude as all the above. Although the movement they are discussing is about people of colour, the target audience is not specified or restricted to that one ethnicity, but wants to educate a diverse and vast audience on the topic, in order for their video to reach a broader audience.
4. Is there evidence that suggests the media owners are for or against Black Lives Matter?
Personally, I believe it is very evident that the media owners of Al Jazeera are very much for the Black Lives Matter Movement. This is shown through their repeated images of innocent protestors being attacked and brutally harmed by police, this representation influences the audience as they feel more sympathy towards the protestor's mistreatment.
Also, the indifference between the footage Al Jazeera uses, showing the police's approach of fighting against the protestors, who have their hands in the air, shouting “hands up, don’t shoot", shows their representation of the protestors as peaceful and their representation of the police is showing their actions to be violent and extreme. Al Jazeera's reflection of how protesters are being non-violent and the fact they are giving no evidence of the riots, shows their opinion of the movement as being respectful, peaceful and shines most of its spotlight on the police’s brutality and their retaliation to the movement.
Lastly, the media owners' evidence towards being for the movement, is also shown through their statistics and factually informative narration spoken in the video. By stating clear facts that relate towards the cause of the police brutality, it gives some historical context as to why the exceeding violence of the police is so frequently seen, an example of this is the statistic I stated previously, as they spoke upon the excessive funding given towards the police, by the government. This overall use of commentary reinforces that Al Jazeera is for the movement, as they want to educate their audiences on why the police have and continue to abuse their power.
5. Who owns the media platforms you wrote about in 1?
Al Jazeera is a state funded Qatari broadcaster. It is owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network and the CEO of the media platform is Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani.
6. How might the ownership of the media platform affect the news reports?
Ownerships of a media platform can greatly impact news reports. One of the reasons I chose Al Jazeera, is their lack of bias and partiality when reporting global issues. One of the ways in which an owner of a media platform can affect news, is by being biased and keeping a fixed one-sided argument upon a real-life narrative. Many media platforms tend to be biased with their political viewpoint, e.g. right wing, left wing politics. This can prevent readers and general consumers from being given a full scope and understanding of an issue and instead restricts them from being able to choose an opinion without it being prejudiced.
Another way in which ownerships affect media platforms is their acceptance and allowance of fake news. If an owner allows their media platform to produce false information, it can mislead and indoctrinate their audiences with untrue data and knowledge, which can result in very harmful consequences, as the public do not want to be deceived by educators of news reports.
1. Consider how the protesters are represented (looking at body language, clothing, facial expression, camera angle, any music/speech if applicable)
My chosen Media source - Al Jazeera Video - George Floyd Death: Police brutality persists as officers charged - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mgPjDYt0Jk
My reasoning for choosing Al Jazeera as my media source is because they have a generalized scope of international news outlets, and in my opinion, strive to be impartial more than most media platforms. They also focus less on reporting western culture and give more coverage on global issues.
The protestors in Al Jazeera’s video are represented as peaceful yet powerful. This is shown through their selected footage of extremely wide camera shots that capture the mass gathering of marches and chanting of protestors, as they collide as one to invoke their needs for defunding the police and creating justice for people of colour within society.
The same representation of peacefulness in the protests, is also shown through the body language and facial expression of the protestors. They are seen to be dynamic and determined as they march with passion, looking courageous and empowered as the diverse amount of people stand with one another, fighting for change.
However, their expressions are filled with anger and devastation at the police brutality against the African American community, especially seen with the police’s retaliation towards the protests. In the video, many police are seen to be abusing the protestors, using batons to beat them, spraying tear gas, shooting rubber bullets, using pepper spray and physically pushing them to the ground. The protestors are represented as calm, as they do not resist the police, but instead are walking and chanting peacefully and yet they are still being attacked. This portrays the protestors as victims as we witness their body language non defensive, with their hands in the air and their facial expressions squirming with fear and anxiety at the harsh, excessive and cruel actions the police are enforcing upon them.
Al Jazeera also represents the protestors as respectful, this is captured through their chosen close up footage of a protestor holding a sign with quotations stating George Floyd’s last words, before he was murdered, being “I can’t breathe”. This shows respect as the protestors are confronting the police with the horrific murder acts, they have committed, using language printed on a sign. These signs also shed light onto the brutality people of colour are facing, but in a peaceful and respectful manner. The protestors are also represented as respectful through their clothing, as many are seen to be wearing the colour black, in honor of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Many are also seen to be wearing PPE masks, to protect others from contracting COVID-19. This shows the protestors are respectful of other people’s health, by taking precautionary action to prevent the spreading of the virus.
The speeches also covered in the video, represent the protestors as good people who are desperate to fight for a better society with more equality and justice. This is shown through the chants of protestors saying, “hands up don’t shoot”. This emphasizes the submission people of colour have had to take when threatened by police brutality. Al Jazeera including this speech in the video, helps expand upon the racism and oppression the black community are faced with from the police and expresses their want for change. At the end of Al Jazeera’s video, it frames a close up on a young black female protestor (who looks very young), preaching alongside her fellow protestors, repeating, “No Justice, no peace”. The commentary on this part of the video states “protestors hope change will come in this little girl’s lifetime”. Both the visual and audible representation of the protestors, reflects them to be also representative of the people of the future, as they fight with passion, for justice towards African Americans in society.
2. Consider how the police are represented (consider all the above and whether it's more positive/negative)
The police in Al Jazeera’s video are represented in mostly a negative light. Their use of varied images and footage of police brutality against protestors, from various states, reveals the generalized abusive approach the police are taking towards the protestors and captures them as the attackers.
The representation of police is that they are seen to be very defensive, as most of them are shown to be wearing fully armored gear and their body language is firm, straight and broad. This enhances the representation of them being seen in a negative light, as it reflects the police as fearful and dominant towards the protestors, using their armory and posture to create intimidation. An example of this is the wide camera shots the video shows, capturing the National Guard clothed in their full gear holding guns, as they walk with dominance controlling Hollywood Boulevard. They are also seen with other soldiers patrolling military vehicles. Again, this reflects the police as being excessive forces, as they try to be overpowering. This also prevents protestors because if they even attempt to march, preach or protest their rights down Hollywood Boulevard, they will be risking their lives.
The police are also represented as brutal through repeated footage of their forceful body language, as their actions towards the peaceful protestors are shown to be cruel and uncalled for. Although not all the police are using violence against the protestors, and some clips in the video even show a group of police dancing peacefully alongside the protestors. The negative, harmful actions that most police are using, weighs out the good.
For instance, in the beginning of the video, an old man is seen to be approaching the police passively, as he tries to protest, and the officers push him forcefully to the ground, causing him to bleed from his brain, out to his ear. Another example of police brutality, shown in Al Jazeera’s video, is a clip that captures tear gas being spread, targeting the protestors, and the sound of rubber bullets are fired causing fearful screams to fill the air. The police are also shown to be attacking two African American people in their car, using tasers without them even protesting, they are targeted for no reason. The narration on this section of the video, explains how the “the injustice continues” and highlights the depth of brutality the police will go to, in order to harm the people they are supposed to be protecting.
The video also disclosed information on what the police are being constructed to do. The example that was shown, explained how the President of the United States, Donald Trump, ordered for the area outside the White House to be cleared of protestors, for him to ‘take a walk’. The police tear gassed and shot rubber bullets at the protestors. This gives more insight as to why the police are being so destructive, as their orders are extreme, alike their President’s approach towards the protests. To expand on this issue of extremity, Al Jezera also stated in their narration that ‘over the past 40 years, government funding for the police has tripled to more than a 100 billion dollars, even though crime rates are decreasing’. I found this to be introspective of the general issue surrounding the police system and gives an overall statement upon how this is not only an issue with police brutality but is equally an issue of abusing power. This again reinforces another reason as to why there are protests, because society wants not only equality, but also de-funding of the police, to prevent injustice.
The mid close up shots used to frame the police, in Al Jazeera’s video, shows very little of their faces, as they cover them with protective shields in order to ‘defend’ themselves, although the only violence occurring is seen to be from their own colleagues. However, the glimpse of expression from the officers that are shown, in the video, reveals both the rage and anger the brutal police are expressing physically, and captures some of the peaceful police, smiling with the protestors. The expressions shown mostly feature the angered, aggressive police, but the balance of the ones that stand with the protestors, represent that not all police are fighting against the movement and want change and equality too.
3. Who do you think the target audience is?
I personally believe the target audience of this video is aimed at people who support the Black Lives Matter Movement, and for those who want to seek justice and change within the police system, to put an end to the inequality, racism and brutality people of colour are facing. I also believe the age range of this video is targeted at those who are 12 or above. Although it contains some graphic content, the main purpose of the video is to educate people on the issues revolving around the protests, and those who are adolescents should be able to have an understanding of America's state right now, whether it makes them uncomfortable or not, people should be faced with the reality and truth of the matter.
The video is uploaded on YouTube, with no age restrictions, this represents how Al Jazeera are allowing viewers to access the video easily to those of all ages who use YouTube as a platform for entertainment. However, I am aware, many youth will not be consuming news as media content, but my point is focusing upon the accession of the video, as Al Jazeera will be aware that YouTube is a platform targeted at people of all ages.
To conclude, I believe there is no gender, religion or ethnicity target audience for this video, as it focuses on the general scope of protestors who conclude as all the above. Although the movement they are discussing is about people of colour, the target audience is not specified or restricted to that one ethnicity, but wants to educate a diverse and vast audience on the topic, in order for their video to reach a broader audience.
4. Is there evidence that suggests the media owners are for or against Black Lives Matter?
Personally, I believe it is very evident that the media owners of Al Jazeera are very much for the Black Lives Matter Movement. This is shown through their repeated images of innocent protestors being attacked and brutally harmed by police, this representation influences the audience as they feel more sympathy towards the protestor's mistreatment.
Also, the indifference between the footage Al Jazeera uses, showing the police's approach of fighting against the protestors, who have their hands in the air, shouting “hands up, don’t shoot", shows their representation of the protestors as peaceful and their representation of the police is showing their actions to be violent and extreme. Al Jazeera's reflection of how protesters are being non-violent and the fact they are giving no evidence of the riots, shows their opinion of the movement as being respectful, peaceful and shines most of its spotlight on the police’s brutality and their retaliation to the movement.
Lastly, the media owners' evidence towards being for the movement, is also shown through their statistics and factually informative narration spoken in the video. By stating clear facts that relate towards the cause of the police brutality, it gives some historical context as to why the exceeding violence of the police is so frequently seen, an example of this is the statistic I stated previously, as they spoke upon the excessive funding given towards the police, by the government. This overall use of commentary reinforces that Al Jazeera is for the movement, as they want to educate their audiences on why the police have and continue to abuse their power.
5. Who owns the media platforms you wrote about in 1?
Al Jazeera is a state funded Qatari broadcaster. It is owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network and the CEO of the media platform is Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani.
6. How might the ownership of the media platform affect the news reports?
Ownerships of a media platform can greatly impact news reports. One of the reasons I chose Al Jazeera, is their lack of bias and partiality when reporting global issues. One of the ways in which an owner of a media platform can affect news, is by being biased and keeping a fixed one-sided argument upon a real-life narrative. Many media platforms tend to be biased with their political viewpoint, e.g. right wing, left wing politics. This can prevent readers and general consumers from being given a full scope and understanding of an issue and instead restricts them from being able to choose an opinion without it being prejudiced.
Another way in which ownerships affect media platforms is their acceptance and allowance of fake news. If an owner allows their media platform to produce false information, it can mislead and indoctrinate their audiences with untrue data and knowledge, which can result in very harmful consequences, as the public do not want to be deceived by educators of news reports.
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