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THINKING CRITICALLY 3
1. Define network neutrality. Why is network neutrality of concern to you as a media
consumer?
Network Neutrality is a policy requiring all Internet service providers to treat all of the data that
pass through their networks on an equal basis to prevent them from favoring their own
content (16-2d). To sum things up this is basically a principle that the internet should remain
open with unrestricted access where entrepreneurs and online businesses can compete on the
same playing field.
No one should have slower internet or faster internet based upon the website they visit. Content
such as making free internet calls are also in this same category. As a media consumer network
neutrality could become a concern when I try to use YouTube to watch videos instead it becomes
blocked or slowed down because the Internet provider does not want me to watch it.
Netflix and Hulu are almost the next generation of watching TV. If I cut the cord, this could
affect me if the internet provider decided to slow down my connection. The internet provider
may want me to watch something else, so instead they slow my connection with everything else.
This could also affect how I do my online schooling.
2. Distinguish vertical integration from horizontal integration and cross-ownership.
Vertical integration is when a company owns key assets in multiple aspects of a single
industry. Vertical integration can be looked at as when a company takes complete control
because the want full control over the supply or materials. This is when a company operates
within a company and controls more than one stage.
Horizontal integration is when a company owns many outlets of the same kind of medium or
dominates a market on its own (16-2d). Horizontal integration could be looked as when for
example an internet broadband company takes over another company. They could be operating at
the same level of business but one could know hoe to market better and decides it wants to
branch out. There way of branching out it to take over another company, moving across.
Cross ownership is another method where a business own stock in a company they do business
with. They can have related interests or commercial aims. Cross ownership can be a method of
reinforcing a business relationship when a company owns multiple types of media with that
company. 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
3. Define the terms “morality” and “ethics” and discuss the differences between them.
Morality is the difference in understanding between right and wrong. Most of our morals come
from what we believe in. Unlike ethics, morals are not a set of rules or guidelines that must be
followed.
Ethics is a code of conduct or rules for example that a company goes by. These ethics could be
listed in the company handbook and the employee is to abide by them. These ethics are applied
to all rules or policies under the company whether they are governed by formal law or not.
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Both morals and ethics in some way meet at some point. Many people may use both when
making decisions. For example, if someone was to break into a home by breaking a window, no
one was hurt but actually saved lives by letting out harmful carbon dioxide. Some may say
morally the person did not commit a crime because he saved a life. While others could use ethics
and say well, he did attempt to break in and he also broke a window so he should go to jail.
References
Straubhaar, J., LaRose, R., & Davenport, L. (2017). Media now: Understanding media, culture
and technology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN:9781305950849
