CPIT research month - week 3 day 4

Today's lunch time presentation begins with the launch of the 'new' CPIT research repository, hosted on Equella. This replaces our old 'ROMs' repository which archived all research outputs and collated for the NZ performance based research funding (PBRF) system.

The theme for presentations from the Broadcasting School is around the theme 'media and change'. Dr. Ruth Zanker presents on 'fear and thrill in front of the screen - what children remember- an international study'. From an external collaborative project funded by the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television (IZI). Used examples from data - children's drawings to illustrate some of the direction of the project. Stage on of project with 631 tertiary students from 8 countries and stage 2 with 510 children aged 8 - 12 in 4 countries. Presented examples from stage 2 findings in the form of the pictures drawn to represent something funny seen on TV that contributed to nightmares.

Then, Brendan Reilly on 'the changing face of commercial radio'. Focused on radio 'sports news' and role of journalists. Does news have to be short clips with elements of drama? Used examples of high international performing Kiwis who deserve recognition and airtime. Media agenda influences what actually is reported. Compared sports coverage on two radio stations to pick up sports personalities who were covered. Only 14 sports covered with rugby, league and cricket having the most stories. Local community news no longer feature as local journalist no longer exist. Radio news comes through two sources and all radio stations report from these.

Last up for this week, Bronwyn Beatty presents 'in the cold: tracing the fan from the outcast to 'fantastic prosumer'. Definitions of fans have not been flattering and mostly of fans as being 'losers' and obsessives. Increase in technology has provided greater opportunities for fans to become even more deeply involved. Some create their own versions of their most loved fiction characters /stories through fanfiction. Collaborative efforts are simplified so fans begin to contribute to storylines. Copyright is challenged. Used case study of Harry Potter. How persecution of fans websites backfired, leading to a turn around and establishment of an official fan site. Similar case with Lord of the ring handling of fan 'one ring' sites. Therefore, fans now seen as ideal consumers rather than public nuisances.