Abstract
This paper examines how the idea of copyrighting television formats has become a prevalent area of debate in recent years, partly due to the increased global marketing/trade in television today and partly due to the changing nature of our television viewing habits and the types of programs on offer to the public at large. It looks at how the ingress of "Reality Television" onto our screens has sparked widespread comment on whether format rights should be available to broadcasting companies and program creators alike, in order firstly to protect them from infringement and secondly to "protect" the public from an influx of similar programs. It puts forward the author's belief that by allowing format rights in television programs, one is not only radically extending what is considered to be a dramatic work for the purposes of copyright law, but by giving this type of control to production companies one is narrowing the public's right to choose and only taking from an ever diminishing public domain.

Outline
Abstract
Introduction
Trash Television, "Tabloid Culture" and the Emergence of the "Real".
The Dramatic Work " A Reality
Opportunity Knocks"
The Consultative Document and the Possible End of Format Rights
The Format Trade
The New Breed of "Real" Format Rights
A Step Too Far
End of a Genre"
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Format Recognition and Protection Association believes that there is no protection of formats at present which is good enough to meet the need, and their aim is "to promote to producers, broadcasters and the law, the concept of formats as unique, intellectual properties". There are however other, and possibly better ways to protect these types of programmes. Trademarks, although not able to protect the format of a show per se, will protect the titles, and it is becoming increasingly more common to do this , with shows like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "The Weakest Link" which are almost internationally known brands of television. This may well have helped Hughie Green in the Opportunity Knocks Case, whose title was also used by the New Zealand Broadcasting Corp."

Tags:intellectual, law, patents, property, reality, trademarks

Abstract
This paper examines how motion pictures and television are audio-visual mediums and how they engage both our visual and aural senses. It looks at how the meaning and emotion of a piece is commonly thought to come from the image and that the sound at best just duplicates the meanings from the image. It explores how music combines with, adds to and enhances moving image in many ways and how it can heighten and refine emotion as well as meaning.

From the Paper
"The tone of music can be used to create meaning and generate mood in a scene or in a production as a whole. In The Empire Strikes Back the rebels attempt to flee from the empire. During this sequence Darth Vader's and the rebels leitmotif is heard. Vader's motif is played at an increased tempo and higher pitch to normal. The function of this change is to show the imminent danger of the empire and Vader's likely success in capturing the rebels. The rebels leitmotif is played but does not contain the opening and perhaps most identifiable phase. The tone is slightly deeper, the pace slightly slower and is mixed up in and slightly drown out by other sound effects. The function of this use of sound is to put the out come of the situation in doubt and make the rebels attempt at escaping unlikely. When the rebels do escape the distinctive opening to their motif is played at normal pitch and tempo and without the distraction of other sounds. This functions to signal their success but also the finality of the scene. The leitmotifs and the tone of the motifs are used to guide the spectator through narrative change."

Tags:ambience, effect, emotion, motif, score, television

Abstract
This paper looks at the images of women that were portrayed in 1950s TV sitcoms and examines to what extent these images give us an insight into popular culture of the time.

From the Paper
"The most stereotypical portrayals of gender are spread through communication media, especially television. Often, trends in television give us insight into the shifting meanings of gender in popular culture. For example, television in the fifties portrayed a wonderful world of perfect homes in a perfect America. In this world the mothers never worked, the families were happy, and problems were always solved within a half hour. Women had a clearly defined, fixed role, says Spigel, "The essential function of women was that of caretaker, mother, and sexual partner. The domestic woman needed to save her energy for housekeeping, childrearing, and an active (monogamous) sex life with her husband"

Tags:feminism, gender, role, sexism, society, stereotypes, TV

Abstract
This paper takes a look at how the media influences the way adolescents view the ideal body image. The author examines the type of stereotypes that the media encourages and the way that this effects society.

From the Paper
"Adolescence is a time for learning and growth. This time can be easier to handle by some than others. For some it can be a revelation of new experiences and ideas, while adolescence can also be a difficult, stressful time for those trying to discover themselves. This can affect themselves as well as those around them. During this time, adolescents are likely to identify with those around them, their peers. Identifying with peers can help adolescents along by giving them the opportunity to see how others deal with problems similar to their own and by offering their own advice to those who need it. Along with this, adolescents are liable to worry about their body image, and may want to conform to those who have achieved the "desired" image. This image may be thin, muscular, or just average. Nevertheless, some adolescents will go too far to achieve this image, usually this is done by adolescent females who wish to become thin. This can be attributed to media's portrayal of women. The majority of women in ads, television and movies are thin and are seen as attractive because of this. Adolescent girls will see these women and may want their image as their own, and some will go to any lengths to acquire this. This in turn could lead to the idea that during this process of change and growing up, adolescents are often concerned about their physical image, which is influenced by the media."

Tags:actress, adolescent, ads, anorexia, athletes, body, bulemia, celebrities, communication, comparison, disorders, eating, friends, gymnast, ideal, idolize, journal, loss, magazine, models, peer, portrayal, pressure, social, theory, tv, weight, women

Abstract
This paper discusses how the music video is a very influential, arguably the most influential, tool used in presenting artist image to the modern record buying public and how it is vital to the sales success of many pop records. It maps the evolution of the popular music video and MTV (Music Television). It also touches on technological issues and business motivations with an emphasis on the sociological implications for the music 'consumer'.

From the Paper
"In the late 1970s/early 1980s, there came a point when the record industry was in its first decline for decades. Disco had faded out of fashion and punk was not generating the necessary interest required to keep the industry's bottom line sufficiently high. Inevitably, profits fell . The record companies needed a new way to market, and sell, mass quantities of records. The solution presented itself in two guises. Firstly, the release of the first Compact Disc in "Japan on October 1st, 1982", and secondly, the start of broadcasting by MTV "at 12.01 am in August 1981". (Haring 1996 p.33-5) Through some manipulation of the retail sector and the phenomenal but perhaps unpredicted success of MTV, which "many scoffed at when it started" (Haring 1996, p.35), a resurgence was sparked which would lead to the 1980s being the most profitable decade the industry had ever seen."

Tags:madonna, mtv, popular, radiohead, sociology

Abstract
This paper examines television representation of war including topics such as the compiling of news, bias and policy, political perceptions and restrictions. In particular it covers the wars, Vietnam, The Falklands, Panama and the first Gulf War. It also looks at various issues concerning the coverage of war such as the problems broadcasters face, who is responsible for the portrayal of truth and whether the press should or can remain neutral in wartime.

From the Paper
"Television coverage of the Vietnam War appeared like a morality play, presenting the good represented by the American peace offensive and the evil, represented by Hanoi. The newspapers concentrated on covering Vietnam Policy, including increasing American commitment from the administration and the Congress debate over the prospect of escalation. Television news, however concentrated on one theme the peace offensive. Television journalists were not always restricted to reporting just the official proceeding of the peace offensive, objective journalism was a forgotten rule in reporting from Vietnam, they shifted from "straight" reporting to commentary that was fueled with moral and ideological significance."

Tags:abc, bbc, bias, cbs, cnn, itv, ministry, morality, neutrality

Abstract
This paper gives a detailed analysis of the many types of comedy in modern society and what role humor can play in our lives. Different forms of comedy are analyzed such as slapstick, farce, stand-up comedy, parody and tragi-comedy.

From the Paper
"Comedy has been used as an escape from the tensions of real life for centuries. Laughter seems to be the one uniquely human sensation that there is; there seems little possibility that animals experience humor. Comedy is an essential part of everyday life, as it is regularly on television and radio and in literature. It is often through comedy that we can take a look at our lives and the issues that govern them, and to some extent comedy shapes the world in which we live."

Tags:farce, parody, slapstick, humor

Abstract
This essay discusses and highlights the four main areas of media studies: Transformations, Institutions, Forms and Audiences, while exploring the impact of each in relation to the other areas using the work of theorists like Paddy Scannell, John Thompson and Raymond Williams.

From the Paper
"One key area in media studies is the role of the media in cultural transformations in a modern society. This entails looking at how social interactions and relationships are affected by the communications media. John Thompson describes three forms of interaction, "face-to-face" being the most common. In this case participants share the same context, at the same time and place and there is usually a "two-way flow of information" where a direct response can be achieved. Other features, sometimes referred to as body language, also add information for example, a change of tone may indicate surprise. Thompson claims this differs from the other types of interaction. "Mediated-interaction" 3, in letters and telephone conversations differs because it makes use of developed technology i.e. paper and telephone lines."

Tags:audiences, forms, institutions, interaction, journalism, radio, society, television, transformations

Abstract
The BBC is the major proprietor of the broadcasting industry in Britain. BBC television channels are supported by the television license fee which has been led to believe entitles the BBC to its own type of regulation. The paper explores and analyzes if the BBC deserves its own form of regulation or should it be regulated in the same way as other broadcasting services.

From the Paper
"The BBC was founded in 1922 and was given a complete monopoly of the broadcasting business. It evolved from a company to a corporation in 1927 with John Reith as the General Director. They worked on radio until the introduction of television in 1929. When the BBC was formed a group of governors were appointed to regulate it. They were supposed to be neutral and have no government bias, but were appointed by the government themselves. The government also set the license fee this might show that the BBC could not be separate from the government as it had claimed to be. Also the fact that the government can use the BBC in a national emergency would show that they do have control over the BBC. ?It has never been entirely free from state pressure. Its license to broadcast has always been granted for fixed periods, never in perpetuity; the state appoints its board of governors; and the state, not the BBC, determines the cost of the receiving license.?(1)"

Tags:film, john, license, media, monopoly, regulation, reith, studies, television

Abstract
Asks the question of whether the BBC can compete as a public service broadcaster, and whether it should consider privatization in some form.

Privatization
Background to the BBC
Public Service Broadcasting
The Broadcasting Act 1996
The BBC's Digital Service Proposition, Digital Audio
Broadcasting (Radio)
The BBC's Digital Service Proposition - Digital Television
New and Planned Services for Digital Television
Privatization of the BBC's Transmission Network
The Licence Fee and Breakdown of how the Licence Fee is
Spent
BBC Projects Commercial Activities

From the Paper
" The broadcasting industry has undergone a vast transformation within the past decade, especially within the UK. For many years there were only four television channels which were broadcasting to the UK, then with the introduction of cable and satellite broadcasting, the UK audience was subjected to a multitude of specialized channels. Digital broadcasting is a new type of broadcasting medium, which allows many more television and radio channels to be broadcast. There is also a new array of interactive services which Digital broadcasting will bring."

Tags:broadcast, channel, commercial, government, internet, media, monopoly, network, transmission