Урок - конференция по теме "Mass Media in Great Britain"

Урок - конференция по теме

“Mass Media in Great Britain”

Цели урока:

- активизировать умения и навыки учащихся в устной речи (монологической и диалогической);

- развивать навыки аудирования;

- развивать умения вести дискуссию;

- развивать навыки творчества и самостоятельной работы.

Оснащение урока: картинки, слайды.

In Fleet Street Alexander Mitchell

- Let me introduce myself. I`m Alexander Mitchell. I`m in Fleet Street now. As you know it`s one of the most famous highways of London. It`s often called the centre of the newspaper industry. Among the publications associated with Fleet Street are “Punch”, the “Daily News”, “The Daily Telegraph”, “The Evening Standard”. The street and the immediate area are dominated by the offices of daily and provincial newspapers and all their related associations.

Today the conference on mass media is taking place in one of those buildings. It is a Press Centre. My friends, journalists from different newspapers, radio and TV stations are working there just now.

Ann, do you hear me?

- Yes, Alexander, I hear you. Hi, everybody. I`m Ann Morgan. I`m in the Press Centre of London, where the conference on different problems of mass media is taking place now. As we know mass media are one of the most characteristic features of modern civilization. People are united in one global community with the help of mass media. People can learn about what is happening in the world very fast using mass media. The mass media include newspapers, magazines, radio and television. The earliest kind of mass media was a newspaper. The first newspaper was Roman handwritten newssheet called “Acta Diurna” started in

59 B.C. Magazines appeared in 1700s. They developed from newspapers and booksellers` catalogs. Radio and TV appeared only in the 20^th century. Here, at the conference, you can see representatives of press, radio and television, famous announcers, psychologists, sociologists and a great number of correspondents. The conference has just begun and I want you to listen to the debates there.

Sindy Brown, the director of BBC 1

James Coldwell, the director BBC 4

Nathalie Wood, the director of ITV

Eliza Robin, the director of Channel 4

Julia Roberts, an announcer of BBC 1

Diana Ross, BBG Radio 1

Jane Smith, a psychologist

Nick Presley, a sociologist

Alex Gordon, the chairman of newspaper companies of Great Britain

Mary Grey, a mass media expert

Julia Wilson, a film producer

Lorna Goldsmith, the chairman of the conference

Jino Canty, Italy

- I have a question to Lorna Goldsmith. How can a message be communicated to a mass audience? Thank you.

Lorna Goldsmith

- It can be communicated to a mass audience by many means. The oldest media are those of the printed word and picture which carry their message through the sense of sight: the weekly and daily newspapers, magazines, books, pamphlets,

direct mail circulars and billboards. Radio is the mass communication medium aimed at the sense of sound, whereas the television and motion pictures appeal both to the visual and auditory senses.

Alexander Malyshev, Russia

- What information can people get from different sources of mass media? Thanks.

Alex Gordon

- Let me answer this question. The reader turns to his newspaper for news and opinion, entertainment and advertising it publishes. In the weekly the focus is upon the reader`s own community; in the daily the focus is upon the nation and the world as well. Magazines give background information, entertainment, opinion and the advertising. Television and radio offer entertainment, news and opinions and advertising messages and can bring direct coverage of public events into the listener`s home.

John Caxton, the USA

- In the USA we have many important agencies of communication which are adjuncts of the mass media. And what about Great Britain? Do you have them? And what are they?

Mary Grey

- Let me answer this question. In Great Britain we have them as well. And they are:

• the press associations which collect and distribute news and pictures to the newspapers, television and radio stations, and news magazines;

• the syndicates, which offer background news and pictures, commentary and entertainment features to newspapers, television and radio, and magazines;

• the advertising agencies which serve their business clients, on the one hand, and the mass media, on the other;

• the advertising departments of companies and institutions, which serve in merchandising roles; and the public relations departments, which serve in information roles;

• the public relations counseling firms and publicity organizations, which offer information in behalf of their clients;

• research, individuals and groups, who help gauge the impact (оценить влияние) of the message and guide mass communicators to more effective path.

Helen Black, New Zealand

- A question to Alex Gordon, please. What are the communicators who work for and with these mass media?

Alex Gordon

- We think of the core as being the reporters, writers, editors, announcers and commentators for newspapers, news magazines, television and radio, press associations and syndicates. But there are many others: news photographers; book and publication editors and creative personal of all types; public relations practitioners and information writers; film producers and writers; magazine writers and editors and motion pictures makers also are communicators in a special sense, adding emotional impact to the written script.

Marina Timchenko, Ukraine

- I have a question to Sindy Brown, the director of BBC 1. What can you say about the development of television in Great Britain? And what is BBC 1?

Thank you.

Sindy Brown

- As everybody knows television is a very popular media in Great Britain. There an ordinary person watches TV programs during 25 hours per week. There are 4 main TV channels in Great Britain: BBC 1, BBC 4, ITV and Channel 4. As for BBC 1 it was started 1936. The channel shows general interest programs, light entertainment, sport current affairs and children`s programs. Now I want the representatives of other TV channels tell us about them. James Coldwell, BBC 4.

James Coldwell

- BBC 4 shows special interest programs, programs for national minorities, music, serious drama, travel programs, documentaries and foreign films in the original languages.

Advertisements of “ads” are shown every 15 minutes.

- My name is Eliza Robin. I`m the director of Channel 4. It was started in 1982. The channel shows 15% educational programs. Besides, it demonstrates experimental programs.

Ann Morgan, Great Britain

- Mrs. Wilson, what does it take to make o top pop program on TV?

Julia Wilson

- Lots of imagination, lots of energy, lots of people.

The director is responsible for the program. From the control room the director decides which images to use at each stage, so he mustn`t be distracted. It`s a very tiring job. The director must discuss the program with the presenters before the show goes on air.

The floor manager is the director`s representative on the studio floor. He doesn`t have to make many decisions: the director`s instructions come through headphones. The floor manager must obey the director`s instructions and orders.

The camera operators must follow the director`s instructions on where to take the camera. They should have enough technical expertise (квалификация) to change camera lenses.

The sound engineers control everything from microphones to mixing desks with a thousand lights and buttons, they are technical experts but they should not ignore the director`s instructions.

The presenters (ведущие) all have to arrive at the studios early enough for the make-up session. They don`t have to learn their lines because they can read them from the autocue (телесуфлёр ).

There are many other people involved: the vision manager, the production secretary, several technicians and many others.

Lorna Goldsmith

- Ladies and gentlemen! The first part of our discussion is over. Have 20 minutes to rest.

Ann Morgan

- I want to ask people in the hall some questions. Excuse me, what is a “magazine program”?

- It`s a program which is a mixture of “hard” news and feature items.

Ann Morgan

- How can you describe “ a wild life program”?

- It`s a program showing animals, birds, etc. in their natural environment.

Ann Morgan

- What do you know about “quiz program”?

- It`s a program where members of the audience are asked questions, in case of a correct answer they receive prizes.

Ann Morgan

- What is “a sitcom”?

- The full name for “sitcom” is situational comedy, i.e. a short film providing entertainment.

Ann Morgan

- I`m quite sure that you know what a “soap opera-play” means.

- Of course, everybody knows it. It`s an afternoon television regular feature which originally appeared on the radio and was sponsored by soap advisers, continuing from day to day, presenting emotional and melodramatic situations like many operas of the 19^th century (thus named “soap” operas).

Ann Morgan

-A video clip is a short film, isn`t it?

- Yes, it`s a mini film about the length of a song, interpreting or dramatizing a song.

Ann Morgan

- And my last question. What is a “western”?

- A western is a uniquely American film presenting myths about pioneering, courageous Americans.

Ann Morgan

- It`s a great pleasure to talk to such a high-educated audience. Thank you very much. Now let`s return to Fleet Street. Alexander, do you hear me? It`s Ann. Alexander?

Alexander Mitchell

- Yes, I`m here , Ann. The conference on mass media is being much spoken about now. Its problems are under discussion everywhere. My colleague, Bernard Ben, is here with me. And he will try to ask passers-by some questions.

Bernard Ben

- Excuse me, what is your attitude towards our mass media, especially towards television?

- Television is doing a lot of harm, I think. We begin to forget how to occupy our spare time. For instance, we used to have hobbies, we used to meet our friends, we used to go outside for our amusements to the theatres, cinemas and sporting events. We used to read books and listen to music. Now all our free time is given to television.

Bernard Ben

- And what is your opinion about television?

- Well, nobody makes you watch TV. If you don`t like it, switch off your TV set. But why do you forget what a great amount of information we get! I think we must watch TV to be well informed. It gives wonderful possibilities for education. Besides, there is a considerable variety of programs. We can choose what we want to see.

Bernard Ben

- I`m sorry, would you tell us about your attitude towards television?

- As for me, I`m always under the impression that little by little television cuts us off from the real world. It is so easy to sit in our armchairs watching others working. We get so lazy, we choose to spend a fine day glued to our sets, rather than go out into the world itself. Television may be a splendid medium of communication, but it presents us from communicating with each other. Only when we spend a holiday by the sea or in the mountains far away from civilization, we quickly discover how little we miss television.

Bernard Ben

- Some people say that television makes you its slave. What`s your opinion?

- No, I disagree entirely. It`s an absurd idea that television makes you its slave. It enriches our intellect, gives us opportunities to see the best actors and performances, to hear the latest news, to listen to political discussions. In my opinion TV is a great force in the world.

Bernard Ben

- What is your attitude towards radio?

- Of all the discoveries ever made by man, radio or wireless is one of the most wonderful. By means of wireless you can speak to a man on the other side of the world. Seating comfortably in your own home, you can hear music or talks broadcast thousands of miles away from you: talks on national and international affairs, on science, history and other educational subjects.

Bernard Ben

- I see some young people. Let`s ask them questions about advantages and disadvantages of television. I`m sorry, may I ask you some questions about television?

Students

Ruth: Why not?

Bernard Ben: What are you?

John: We are students. My name is John. And my friends are Ann, Ruth and Michael.

Bernard Ben: What`s your attitude towards TV?

John: I think television is one of the worst inventions the man ever made. It occupies

all our spare time. We rush home to be in time for this or that program.

Ann: I can`t agree with you, John. Television made it possible for people who live far

away from cultural centers to watch theatrical productions, concerts ,music

and drama competitions, international and national sports events and what

not.

Ruth: I do agree with Ann in this. That`s an advantage the television has.

Unfortunately children are the ones who suffer most.

John: Yes. Some American children spend more time in front of TV sets than in front

of the teacher. Too much television is bad for children.

Michael: Children should be taught what programs to watch. Most of our

educational programs are really good and informative. I used to enjoy them

a child.

Ruth: To my mind there is a very good educational program on TV, that is the one

called “ Play school”. It teaches the alphabet and arithmetic, so that it seems

like a game. That`s the way to teach young children. What I hate is violence on

colour television.

John: Yes, that`s really awful. There`s also a film violence on one of the channels. I

think children feel indifferent when people are killed.

Michael: I doubt that. Teachers should do something about it. They should protest.

But television companies take no notice of them. These films are sold well.

Bernard Ben: Thank you very much. Oh, let`s listen to these 2 people. They are

discussing something.

Arguing about British Press

Elvira: ... And your newspapers! If there are difficulties with a new English car, it`s on the front page. If it`s a great success then it might be just mentioned on a back page. I don`t think it does you much good abroad!

George: Perhaps, not. I don`t know.

E.: To read some of your English papers, one would think that you were all drug addicts. To read others one would think this was about to be one of the poorest countries in the world.

G.: Well, it`s a free press, which is a good thing.

E.: Oh, yes. But how you can read your papers as an Englishman at breakfast without being filled with the most awful depression I can`t think!

G.: I never read papers at breakfast!

E.: Wise man!

G.: I never have time. I always get up too late.

E.: What, you have to gobble your bacon and eggs down too fast?

G.: That`s right.

E.: You know, I think the real reason why English papers are so gloomy is because you are all so lazy: if everything seemed to be going well, you wouldn`t do any work at all.

G.: If you really believe that, you ought to write for the English papers yourself!

Bernard Ben:

- So, as you see, tastes differ. Now, it`s high time to return to our conference.

Its second part is going to begin.

Lorna Goldsmith

- Now we have some notes to answer. The first one is to our famous announcer Julia

Roberts.

(читает записку) Announcing in television is part of what is called “ Presentation”, the department which presents programs. Announcers are necessary because without them television would proceed in a series of disconnected jerks (конвульсии). What is the right personality?

Julia Roberts

- What is the right personality? There are several obvious answers. A good appearance is naturally of the first importance. This doesn`t mean good looks alone.

The first assets are an attractive face and a reasonably good figure in a woman and in a man the ability to hold himself well.

Next come intelligence. It includes first a good understanding of the language, and a very large measure of common sense. You must also have a good memory.

Then you should have a friendly, likable manner, not over-friendly or with any hint of that detestable chumminess (отвратительная общительность) which is the stamp of insincerity(неискренность).

And the right kind of voice is important by all means. It must be pleasant, yet have sufficient quit authority to make the viewer listen to what is being said. You are there as an announcer to convey(передать) information and to get the viewer to listen to it.

Confidence is perhaps a better word than “authority” in this connection and it is linked with the most important thing of all – the ability to be posed and at ease before the cameras. If you have this gift by nature, you are fortunate: not too many possess it. The majority of people are self-conscious (неловкий, застенчивый) or become so when they face a microphone or a camera.

Lorna Goldsmith

- Thanks a lot, Julia. One more note. It`s to Eliza Robin, the director of Channel 4.

(читает записку) In Great Britain there are 8 main radio stations, aren`t there? What are they?

Eliza Robin

- You are quite right. They are 8.

BBC Radio 1 is very popular with young listeners. It`s Britain`s main pop and rock station.

BBC 2 is popular with middle-aged listeners because it broadcasts a broad range of popular music and light entertainment.

BBC 3 broadcasts mainly classical music, poetry, drama, short stories, news and cricket.

BBC 4 broadcasts news, drama comedy, current affairs, documentaries and parliamentary debates live.

BBC 5 is a station for sport and education programs.

BBC World Service broadcasts world-wide. It uses English and 35 other languages. English lessons are broadcasted daily with explanations in 25 languages.

Capital Radio broadcasts pop, rock, jazz, information on London transport and events.

Jane Smith

- I have a note, too. Is a poster a means of mass media or not? How do you think?

So, a poster is a printed sign, usually a large one which is shown in a public place. Its purpose may be to announce an event or to advertise something. There are different kinds of posters, such as travel posters, posters for art exhibitions, political posters.

Humorous posters have always been very popular. Unusual, astonishing posters catch the attention of the passers-by. Advertising experts say that if people do not take in a poster in 2 seconds, it is not a good one.

Posters are often used as means of propaganda. They can be a vivid commentary on different events in the history of the country. Some of the most effective political posters have been designed to protest against the atomic bomb. One of them have a single word; No! and a great mushroom cloud of skulls.

I`m quite sure that posters belong to mass media.

Lorna Goldsmith

- I have a note with the request to describe press in our country.

I should say that the British read more newspapers than any other people in the western world. More than 30 million copies of newspapers are printed in the country every day. There are periodicals on every choice: general interest, special interest, business to business.

As for the articles, there are 2 main types of British newspapers: “quality” and “popular” papers. Quality papers publish serious, long, informative articles, few photos, national and international news and comments. They are the “Guardian”, the “Daily Telegraph”, the “Independent”, “Observer”, “Financial Times”, the “Sunday Times”, “Sunday Telegraph”.

Popular papers are less serious and contain more human interest stories than news, many photos, information about sensations and scandals. Most of them are in colour. They are “people”, the “Sun”, “News of the World”, “Daily Mirror”, “Daily Express”, the “Mail” and others.

And now I`d like to introduce a sociologist, Nick Presley.

Nick Presley

A great number of people were asked to express their attitude towards mass media in our country and especially towards television, because television is one of the most important means of communication. It brings moving pictures and sounds from around the world into millions of homes.

By the way, the name “Television” comes from Greek word meaning “far” and Latin word meaning “to see”, so the word “television” means “to see far”.

The results are the following:

Question: How many hours a week do you spend watching television?

23% - less than 5 hours

12% - 5-10 hours

27% - 10-15 hours

32% - more than 20 hours

6% - I don`t watch TV at all. I hate it.

Question: What sort of programs do you like watching?

- the news - 7%

- discussion programs - 9%

- documentaries - 10%

- plays - 5%

- films - 17%

- serials - 6%

- quiz shows - 4%

- classical music programs - 8%

- pop music programs - 22%

- variety shows - 4%

- sports programs - 7%

- others - 1%

Question: Are you for television or against it?

- for - 88%

- against - 12%

For

1. Television brings the world to our living-room. We see people in our country and

in other lands, and learn their customs, occupations, opinions, problems.

2. We become better informed by watching documentaries, science programs, dis-

cussions and by learning the most important economic, social and political issues

of the day.

3. We see great events which will pass into history. We can see famous people.

4. We become more cultured people by learning more of the arts.

5. Television helps us to relax after a hard day`s work. We can then cope better with

the next day`s work.

6. TV programs gather gig audience. Apart from their entertainment value, they

provide useful topics for conversation.

Against

1. Some pupils do their homework in front of the television set. Others rush their

homework so they can watch television. In either case, the quality of the work is

affected. Some pupils are so attracted by television that they don`t do their

homework at all.

2. Many people do not concentrate when viewing – so their time is largely wasted.

3. Many people watch television on Sunday afternoon, when outside activities

would do them so much good.

4. Some people have made television their main leisure activity and they are not

enriching their personalities by developing hobbies and belonging to clubs.

5. Television may lead to poor health through rushed meals, lack of sleep, lack of

exercises, eyestrain (напряжение для глаз).

6. People begin to forget the art of conversation. They sit glued to the television

screen instead of visiting their friends and relatives.

7. Many children no longer read books. This will seriously affect their performance

in higher forms, for reading is the key to all higher study and needs constant

practice.

Lorna Goldsmith

- Now, we have discussed all the questions. There is a great number of problems to solve. And soon it will be done. But now, ladies and gentlemen, I`d like to thank you for participation in our conference.

And I wish you love, happiness and success. Be lucky! Our conference is over. See

you soon. Good – bye.