Media and Society

Find the words from the text that have the following meanings.

1. a personal or corporate website → blog
2. a job requiring expertise in a particular field → profession
3. a feeling of sadness → disappointment
4. put under custody → detained
5. found guilty → convicted
6. breaking or disregarding rules or system → violating
7. advantages and disadvantages → pros and cons
8. a non-statutory monetary penalty → amercement

A. Fill in the gaps with appropriate words/phrases from the text.

1. People are using social media for individual as well as …… purposes. → marketing
2. Social media is not only a platform of sharing views, but also a platform of …… → marketing strategy
3. The hospital wanted Prita to pay Rp. 100 million for …… the rules. → immaterial losses
4. Some singers organized …… to help Prita. → clarified
5. The campaign to help Prita was able to collect Rp. …… → 825 million

B. Answer these questions.

a. How do you define social media?
Ans: Social media is a platform for sharing views and opinions.

b. Social media has been an integral part of modern life. How?
Ans: Social media has been an integral part of modern life as it allows people to interact in ways we could never imagine and we can easily access to the person we want to talk from any part of the world to any different part of the world.

c. Why do people use Facebook and YouTube?
Ans: People use Facebook to exchange news through text and YouTube to watch videos.

d. What is a blog? How can it be beneficial to us?
A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. It can be beneficial to us because we can improve our writing skills, connect with people, learn new things, and so on.

e. Was Prita’s intention bad when she sent a message to her friends?
No, Prita's intention was not bad when she sent a message to her friends because she just wanted her friends to be more careful in accepting many kinds of services.

f. How did Prita's message become a big problem?
Prita's message became a big problem because her friend shared it on a website called The People's Forum, where it was read and commented on by many people. This led to negative publicity for the hospital and caused the hospital management to report Prita for spreading bad news about the hospital.

g. Why was she convicted by the court?
Prita was convicted by the court for violating the law on using information and communication technology (ICT). Specifically, she was found guilty of spreading false information and causing damage to the hospital's reputation.

h. What was the purpose of the campaign, "Bantu Bebaskan Prita"?
The purpose of the campaign "Bantu Bebaskan Prita" (Help Free Prita) was to raise awareness and support for Prita's case and to help her pay the fines that were imposed on her by the court. This campaign was initiated by a group of people who created a Facebook page with the same name and spread the message among Indonesian people, asking them to help Prita by collecting coins.

i. How are people stronger than social media?
People are stronger than social media in the sense that social media is just a tool or platform, and it is ultimately up to people to decide how to use it. While social media can certainly influence and control people's lives to some extent, people have the power to resist its influence and make their own decisions about how to use it. Additionally, people can take steps to protect themselves from the negative effects of social media, such as by setting boundaries around their use of it and seeking out alternative sources of information.

a. Does social media have positive impact in the society? Discuss.

There are certainly many positive ways in which social media can impact society. Some of the main benefits include:

1. Connecting people: Social media platforms make it easy for people to connect with each other, regardless of their physical location. This can help to build and maintain relationships, as well as facilitate the exchange of ideas and support.
2. Promoting social causes: Social media can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and support for social and political causes. By sharing information and rallying support online, individuals and organizations can work towards creating positive change in the world.
3. Providing a platform for self-expression: Social media allows people to share their thoughts, ideas, and creativity with a large audience. This can be especially important for those who may not have a platform to share their ideas or opinions in traditional media.
4. Facilitating the spread of information: Social media can help to quickly and efficiently disseminate information to a wide audience. This can be especially important in emergency situations, where accurate and timely information can save lives.
5. Enhancing communication and collaboration: Social media can make it easier for people to communicate and collaborate with each other, even when they are not physically in the same place. This can be particularly useful for remote teams and organizations that need to work together.

Overall, while there are certainly potential negative impacts of social media as well, it is clear that the platform can be a powerful force for good in society.

b. How do you compare virtual communication and face-to-face communication?

Virtual communication refers to any type of communication that occurs online or through electronic means, such as email, video conferencing, messaging apps, or social media. Face-to-face communication, on the other hand, refers to communication that occurs in person, typically in the same physical location.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to both types of communication. Some of the advantages of virtual communication include the ability to connect with people from anywhere in the world, the convenience of being able to communicate at any time, and the ability to easily share documents and other materials. However, virtual communication can also have its drawbacks, such as the lack of nonverbal cues, the difficulty in building personal relationships, and the potential for misunderstandings due to the lack of facial expressions and body language.

On the other hand, face-to-face communication has the advantage of allowing people to see and interpret nonverbal cues, which can help facilitate better understanding and collaboration. It also allows for more personal interactions and can be more effective at building relationships. However, face-to-face communication can be more time-consuming and may not be practical for people who are located far from each other.

Ultimately, the best type of communication will depend on the specific needs and goals of the situation. Both virtual and face-to-face communication have their own strengths and can be used effectively in different situations.

a. There are different schools of thought regarding the social media. Some people see the benefits while others see problems in them. What are your observations? Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the social media giving your position in it.

In my observation, social media has both benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, social media platforms provide a way for people to connect and communicate with others from all over the world. They can be useful for staying in touch with friends and family, finding and sharing information, and staying up to date with current events. In addition to facilitating communication, social media can also be a useful source of information and entertainment. It can also be a platform for promoting causes and for businesses to market their products and services.

However, there are also concerns about the negative impact of social media. Some people argue that it can be addictive, leading to excessive use and potentially interfering with other activities. There is also the risk of cyberbullying and online harassment, as well as the possibility of exposing personal information to strangers. Additionally, there are concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, with some studies suggesting that it can contribute to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem. There is also the issue of misinformation being spread on social media and the potential for exposure to harmful or extremist content.

Overall, while social media can offer many benefits, it is important to be mindful of its potential drawbacks and to use these platforms responsibly. This includes protecting personal information, being critical of the information encountered on social media, and taking steps to ensure that one's use of these platforms is not harmful to one's mental health or well-being.

b. What is cyber bullying? What are its effects? How can it be stopped?

Cyber bullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. It can take many forms, including sending threatening or harassing emails or text messages, posting hurtful comments or pictures on social media, or spreading rumors or false information about someone online.

Cyber bullying can have serious and long-lasting effects on the person being targeted, including feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. It can also lead to social isolation and academic problems. In severe cases, it has been linked to self-harm and suicide.

There are several steps that can be taken to stop cyber bullying. One approach is to educate people about the issue and promote awareness of the impact of online behavior. This can involve providing resources and support to those who have been targeted, as well as working to create a culture of respect and inclusion online.

Individuals who are being bullied online can also take steps to protect themselves, such as blocking the person who is bullying them, reporting the behavior to the platform or website, and seeking support from friends, family, or a trusted adult. It can also be helpful to keep a record of the bullying, including screenshots of any harassing messages or posts.

In some cases, cyber bullying may be a criminal offense, and it may be necessary to involve law enforcement. It is important for parents, teachers, and other adults to be aware of the issue and to take steps to prevent and address it.

Grammar

Complete the following sentences using the correct prepositions of direction: to, toward, onto, or into.

1. Prem drove Milan …… the airport. → to
2. The plane landed …… the runway. → onto
3. The kids climbed …… the monkey bars. → onto
4. Manish and Richa moved the table …… the dining room. → into
5. Ganesh almost fell …… the river. → into
6. Lalit and Sarita took the bus that was heading …… the university. → toward

Complete the sentences with the correct preposition from the brackets.

1. While we were hiking …… the forest, we saw a mountain lion. (across/ through/along/under) → through
2. The leopards walked in a circle …… the baby giraffe before they attacked. (into/towards/round/through) → round
3. Go …… the building and turn left. (into/up/off/out of) → out of
4. She ran …… home when she was eighteen. (towards/away from/down/ across) → away from
5. Raindrops ran …… the windscreen making it difficult to see the road. (into/up/down/over) → down
6. Hemanta put the plate …… the table and began to eat his dinner. (onto/ into/up/off) → onto
7. The frightened deer disappeared …… the forest. (up/onto/into/toward) → into
8. We were driving …… the City Centre when we had an accident. (up/into/ towards/along) → towards
9. The smoke from the fire went …… into the sky. (into/up/to/onto) → up

Additional questions about prepositions of direction.

1. The train was heading …… the station. (to, toward, onto, into) → toward
2. The bus was moving …… the station. (to, toward, onto, into) → toward
3. The plane was flying …… the airport. (to, toward, onto, into) → toward
4. The car was moving …… the road. (to, toward, onto, into) → onto
5. The boat was sailing …… the river. (to, toward, onto, into) → onto
6. The plane was flying …… the runway. (to, toward, onto, into) → onto
7. The car was moving …… the parking lot. (to, toward, onto, into) → into
8. The boat was sailing …… the harbor. (to, toward, onto, into) → into
9. The plane was flying …… the airport. (to, toward, onto, into) → into
10. The car was moving …… the station. (to, toward, onto, into) → to