Will the internet end up controlled by big business and politicians?

What is it about?

• Its about controlling the internet ever since the Internet became popular in 1993. 
• WCIT-12 was nevertheless a significant event in the evolution of the internet because it demonstrated that the war to control the network not only goes on, but is increasing in intensity.
• The fact that Facebook brought Instagram and they had updated the T&C's and said that they can use people's pictures without their consent links to monetizing. This means that they some what 'own' users relates to control
• "There are probably 200 million people now who think that Facebook is the internet."

What do I think?

I think that the internet is going to take over everything we do, its happening already. Especially how people think Facebook is the internet. It just shows how dependant people are and at the end of the day, people like Zuckerberg only concentrate about updating their site in order to make money. The main objective is to be the most controlling network/business. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/23/internet-will-oligarchs-control-it

Twitter active users pass 200 million

What is it about?

Twitter now has more than 200 million active users around the world, with some 10 million of those in the UK underlining its rapid growth as a social media tool. It has shot up from 140 million in May, with major events such as the presidential election in the US and the Olympics converting more people from passive to active users.

What do I think?

Twitter is a surprisingly a very addictive site, as all you do is post up the most irrelevant stuff about what you're thinking, what you've heard or what you're doing. But I'm not surprised that they have reached passed 200 million users

BBC and ITV apologise to Lord McAlpine for sex abuse allegations

What is it about?

The BBC and ITV have apologised to Lord McAlpine at the high court for "disastrously" and falsely linking him to allegations of child sex abuse.The BBC and ITV have already agreed to pay the Tory peer damages of £185,000 and £125,000 plus legal costs respectively. McAlpine was not in court for a joint statement that concluded his action against the BBC and ITV.

What do I think?

I think that it was unfair that Mr. McAlpine had got accused of a child sex abuse, they made him look like the bad guy when he wasn't, and instead of McAlpine being embarrassed for being caught out, the BBC and ITV got embarrassed for wrongly accusing... Why did they have to be so quick to accuse?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/18/bbc-itv-apologise-lord-mcalpine

Print in 2013: Newspapers cut costs and seek tablets of salvation

What is this about?

This is about the newspapers facing a decline in 2013. The fact that there is an increase in tablets means that newspapers need to find a way of monetizing the tablets in order to survive. All newspapers are depending on tablets for survival but no one would want to pay for a news when they can get it online. Newspapers have been cutting 68 journalists as they are losing money. :(

What do I think?

I think that the newspapers are going to decline dramatically because everyone's online, but the people online dont want to pay for news which is available for free. So newspapers are having a bit of hard time finding the balance, unlucky that.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/16/print-2013-newpapers-cut-costs

The Daily closes shop: why the news app was doomed from the start

What is it about?

This article is about "The Daily", which is Murdoch's invention of a newspaper (that you have to pay for) and is only available on iPads. However, Murdoch thought that he would sell "millions", matter of fact he only had 100,000 subscribers when he thought he would reach at least 750,000. Then "The Daily" moved to other tablets like the Android and even devices like the Kindle to reach a 'wider audience'. But Jeff Jarvis, the writer of this article, says that "The Daily" was doomed from the start because people wouldn't want to pay for news that they can access for FREE somewhere else. So Murdoch scraped "The Daily" because it was a total fail.

What do I think?

I think that Murdoch has too much money as it is, he owns practically everything and I'm glad that this plan failed because he's just being greedy. I find it funny how he is trying to be innovative and unique by only making this available on tablets but no one is really going to pay for news at the end of the day. People can access it from online, newspapers on the train and even television which is shown at different times of the day. This idea was planned to fail, sorry Murdoch.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/03/the-daily-closes-app-doomed-from-start

Nearly half the public have less trust in BBC since Jimmy Savile scandal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/18/public-trust-bbc-jimmy-savile



What is it about?

Nearly half the public have less trust in the BBC since the Jimmy Savile scandal began, according to an opinion poll produced on behalf of MediaGuardian 

What do I think?

I saw this coming to be honest. The Jimmy Savile case was big so I found it difficult how the public would have less trust in the BBC

13C Cover Work 12/12/12

News Corp's publishing arm to focus on losses at Times and Sunday Times

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/07/news-corp-slashing-losses-times

What is it about?

Slashing losses at the Times and Sunday Times, running at an estimated £1m a week, is to be a priority for News Corporation's soon-to-be separated publishing division – although any efforts to tighten integration between the two titles is likely to require a loosening of the undertakings given by Rupert Murdoch when he bought the newspapers.

What do I think?

I think that newspaper are going into decline as there are many losses and having to cut editor's jobs etc... I thought this day would happen but not with the big name newspapers, Sunday times is a prime example. It just shows that New and Digital media is taking over 

Sunday Times's circulation falls below 900,000 for the first time

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/07/sunday-times-circulation-falls

What is it about?

Sunday Times' circulation has fell by 1% month on month from November and now they are below the 900,000 sales mark for the first time. This article discusses the statistics of Guardian, Sunday Times and others about their losses. The Sunday Times has been giving free newspapers in order to help the circulation of sales.

What do I think?

I feel the same about the first article. I still find it shocking that these newspapers are going into decline. It's all becoming very desperate as these are people jobs, that are at jeopardy and it's already hard to get jobs these days.

UK newspaper advertising facing bleak forecast for 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/dec/11/uk-newspaper-advertising-bleak-forecast-2013

What is it about?

The ailing UK newspaper advertising market is set to get even worse next year with national titles forecast to face an almost 9% decline that will see display revenue fall below £1bn for the first time. The market is set to get worse, with *Group M's prediction back in the summer of a 5% year on year fall in 2013 now downgraded to an 8.6% decline. So basically, all newspapers are coming into a decline and it's going to get worse in 2013.

*Group M is WPP's media buying division.

What do I think?

I think that it's unlucky that newspapers are coming to a decline. But I knew this would happen as EVERYTHING is turning digital. Even BOOKS are turning digital... So that's when I knew newspapers have no chance. Not many people are going to buy newspapers on-line  through subscriptions. Reasons because there are free on-line sources available, mostly through social networks. Also there's still news on television that people can refer to. 

The ups, downs and ups of BBC News online

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20678217

What is it about?

This chart shows how global traffic to BBC News online has grown, alongside some key technological milestones.

What do I think?