Social media; where everyone has a say.

Of Late, social media has taken over from traditional media such as radio, television and newspapers. The information from social media that is usually given is of good quality, have a large reach, and the information given is frequent and immediate.

Social media is defined as an interaction among people in which they create, share and exchange ideas and information in virtual communities or networks. In most democratic countries, there is the existence of social media. Typical examples of social media include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wikipedia, Digg and Daily Motion.          

                

Social media is usually described as “no man’s land”. This is because just anyone can put just anything on social media.   Nobody questions what is put on social media and there is a lot of liberalism. Mostly social media enables people to market themselves and get new friends. Products, goods and services can also be advertised on Facebook. Usually it is nice when everybody has a say. At least social media provides this great opportunity.

Examples of Social Media

Movies and entertainment events can be watched on Youtube. Typical examples of Ghanaian music videos can be found in these links: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=LvZSn81XHaYh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3rq1A8b6JPw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=C98p-rRmIi8

There are a lot of dating sites on social media where people get to meet their life partners.  The interesting thing about social media, which I have recently experienced, is that I got in touch with my long lost friends on Facebook. I got the chance to watch their photographs and see how they look currently. I was so elated.

If you are not on any social media, it is high time you join and experience “real things” ... Experience they say  is the best teacher!

A gist about Ghanaian media.

Basically from the little knowledge I have acquired from a media lecture  or discussion, I know that media is defined as the  storage  and transmission channels or tools used to store and deliver information or data. In my own words however, I define media as the  channels through which information is disseminated to an audience.

Newspaper, television, radio and the internet are typical examples of media. Some examples of popular media include; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Cable News Network (CNN), Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) just to mention but a few.

Narrowing down to Ghana, some examples of media houses include; Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Metropolitan Television (Metro TV), TV 3, Daily Graphic, Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghanaian Times, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Unique FM, Citi FM, Radio Gold, Peace FM just to mention but a few.

                                     

Some Ghanaian Media

These media houses usually perform the role of educating, informing and entertaining their audiences in Ghana and beyond. Most of these media houses report on issues such as politics, entertainment, business, sports and many other important issues. Some of these media houses are either owned by the government or by private individuals.

Radio GIJ of the Ghana Institute of Journalism

As part of the educative role of the media in Ghana, the media telecasts educative  programmes  such as quizzes. In informing its audiences, the media telecasts news virtually every day to let the citizens know about the latest happenings in the country. In entertaining its audiences, the media telecasts programmes such as movies and music videos.

                      

This is just a gist about Ghanaian media, hope you learnt something?

A typical day in a media class

I have always had a little knowledge about media. In fact I think media is the channel through which information is disseminated to an audience. At least that is what I can say in my own words. Journalism for Civic Involvement in Democracy (JOCID II) Project was one great platform that made me practice more of media work.

We had lessons and discussions on media and handling the zoom recorder when JOCID organized a one week intensive workshop in Ghana.

Some exchange students doing practical work

I also got the opportunity through JOCID to be taught by foreign lecturers ,it was really a nice experience.  Back in the Ghana Institute of Journalism (G.I.J) , last semester especially I get excited anytime it was a Wednesday.

This is because Wednesdays were the days we had a course in New Media. The lecturer who handled this course was very very interested. In fact, I describe him as interesting by nature. I usually love his lectures because he makes sure his students practice theory with practicals.

Talking about practicals, we were asked to create blogs, open accounts on twitter, linked in, delicious , face book and what have you. In fact because of this particular course, some of us had to change our phones to smart phones.

Most people who were internet phobia had to become friends of the internet. It is on Wednesdays in particular that you will see a lot of my colleagues with their laptop bags.

A lecture in session

Being interviewed or talking to a recorder or a camera is one thing people fear to do. But I love doing this a lot. My discussions and lectures I have had in media has really boosted my confidence especially when I am the interviewee. Am out...

Variety is indeed the spice of life.

Many a times different people love to do different things just to entertain themselves. Whilst some people will watch movies, others will listen to music whilst some others will go to the club. It is interesting how the television entertains people a lot. Music videos, movies, reality shows and beauty pageants can be watched to entertain one’s self.

 

Television however performs other functions like informing and educating viewers. Educative and informative programs such as news can be listened to and watched on television. I for instance , love to watch beauty pageants a lot. The funny thing is that I never really want to take part. But when it comes to watching , I am the first on the list.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Fz7QKytTP2U

In Ghana most of the television stations telecast a lot of programmes that are most often meant to entertain the viewer. Some television stations are most often solely meant for only entertainment.  Gh ONE is a typical example of a television station that most often provides solely entertainment for its viewers.

Tv3 is a typical example of a television station that is best in entertainment.They have an entertainment programme for kids called "talented kids". Talented kids mostly entertains and educates viewers especially children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKZFbv0Jq3g

They also produce and educative and entertaining beauty pageant known as " Ghana's Most Beautiful".

 

 This programme mostly seeks to portray the beautiful culture and tradition of Ghana through beauty and entertainment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gVUmaPsq8xk

Sometimes after a hard day’s work in school, I just relax and listen to some music. This is when the saying “ all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” occurs to me. " Stars of the future"  a reality show on television is a programme i love to watch in this case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gO7XNiKdhJg

As unique as you are in your own way, what do you love to do to entertain yourself. Definitely, there should be something you love...

Advertisements; what I enjoy most on television

Life they say is full of choices. But it is true, this very saying always reflects in our everyday life. The media has also made good use of this saying in virtually everything they do. Viewers, listeners, and readers of television, radio and newspapers always have a choice.

On television especially I just love it. Narrowing down to Ghana where I come from I love watching advertisements a lot on television. It is weird isn’t it? Well whilst some people prefer to watch telenovelas, movies, news or music videos, I love television advertisements. It is funny how I just love them.

There are a lot of television stations in Ghana, both state owned and private stations. We have Ghana Television (GTV), TV3, Metro TV, Viasat1, Gh ONE just to mention but a few. My most cherished television station however is TV3. I really love this station because they are the “first in news, best in entertainment”. TV 3 most often shows advertisements of food, shops, telecommunication groups, water and so much more. Some of my favourite advertisements are Gino advert Tigo cash advert, Vodafone red advert… 

In fact talking about Vodafone, they always have a lot of beautiful advertisements to display.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfC7LtT5L6

This Gino advertisement is one of my favourites;

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuZd2csPWDc

I just cannot go without sharing with you this lovely advertisement on Tigo cash.

http:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9TNNi4kHLA 

Most of these advertisements are very much attractive, make a lot of sense and they always appeal to the conscience of the viewer.

Just click on the links provided and enjoy … Kiitos!

All about my blog

Hei everyone,

You are all welcome to my blog "Cultural and Media Passport". In this blog basically I am going to use different methods to report and reflect on my experiences in the fields of culture,media and communications.

I will use different perspectives in my approach to the various topics I will be discussing.  The blog is divided into two parts, thus;  media and culture. In the field of media, I will tackle the following topics; Television,  Lecture or discussion about media and Social media.

In the field of culture, I will discuss the various topics; Arts Exhibition, Dance and Theater.

Basically, I will inform, educate and entertain my lovely readers on the various topic.

Join me lets have some fun... Kiitos!