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SCOM-110
Week-2
Q1. Describe what convergence has meant in your life and how it affects you.
A1. The convergence of media and incorporation of technologies has affected me in a positive
way. Ease of access to information at my fingertips has given me the capability to stay up to date
with news and current events. I vaguely remember my father reading the Economics Times in
India to stay in line with the economic developments that were taking place in a developing
country like ours. As a child, I would always complain about how boring it was, just to see my
father reading the newspaper. I am not an avid book reader but due to the convergence; I have
started to read more ebooks; audiobooks and articles on topics that peak my interest. The effect
of convergence can even be seen in this course; where we are reading an e-book for research
purposes instead of a paperback. The positive effects of convergence can be felt all across the
spectrum.
Q2. How has the hegemony of ideas affected you personally?
A2. Hegemony of ideas can affect us in the positive or negative way. To me personally
hegemony of ideas has a neutral effect on me. I like to look at situations to make sure that; the
ideas that are being floated actually make sense. I like to make personal decisions based on all
the information available to me and how each of those ideas will affect me once I apply them.
For example; the recent government shutdown issue; one side of the aisle wants you to believe
that Trump was at fault and the other side wants you to believe that Pelosi was at fault.
The media outlets such as CNN and FOX news are using the hegemony of ideas to each make
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their case but as a rational citizen of the United States; I think they were both at fault for using
the American worker as bait to achieve their own political agenda. So, based of this example; I
personally think that hegemony did not affect me at all; not negative or positive.
Q3. Go through your local newspaper—in print, on the Internet, or mobile device—and describe
the objective of each section. How do local newspapers differ from national ones in content?
A3. I chose this question as it was intriguing to me. I have never read the local newspaper here in
Maryland since I moved back to the States but this was a great opportunity to do the same. I
figured out that our local paper here is called the <Baltimore Sun=. I used my computer to access
the website to start researching each section. I’ll break down each section to provide more
insight.
Section 1: Latest
In this section the newspaper highlights the latest or developing news stories that particularly
affect the city of Baltimore or its suburbs. From crime watch to latest Broadway show to local
lawsuits against Walgreens; this paper focuses on the news that affects the local residents.
Section 2: E-Newspaper
This link gives free access to the website where it changes the layout from being a website to an
actual newspaper. The interactive features of this pages use convergence of technologies to
provide their readers an old school way to flip through the print version of the paper.
Section 3: MD Politics
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This section highlights the current state of politics in the State. From the State Congress
legislations to General Assembly information; this section intuitively provides all political
information from the State.
Section 4: Closings
The paper uses this section to provide local resident information about state closings; holidays
and school closures due to inclement weather.
Section 5: Sports
This is a traditional section that provides its readers an insight on the local sporting event as well
as information regarding their national teams and their performance. There is a whole subsection
dedicated to the Ravens.
Section 6: Maryland
This section highlights the news that is prevalent in Maryland. From scientific research taking
place in the state to local coupons. This so far was the most interesting read from all the sections.
I got some great coupons!
Section 7: Obits
This is the last section on their website dedicated to Obituaries. People use this local paper as a
medium to reach out to friends and family and provide information about the people who have
passed on. In Summary; reading a local newspaper for this assignment was like a breath of fresh
air; where there is not a political agenda but just great journalism and news reporting. Local
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newspapers are different from national newspapers as they just focus on the news and issues that
affect their local communities. National Newspapers are more focused on national and
international issues. Local newspapers instill a sense of community amongst their readers
whereas national newspapers are more involved in the concept of hegemony.
