Podcast
The podcast chosen is an interview with Buffy Sainte-Marie who is a musician from the indigenous tribes of Canada. She shares experiences throughout her music career and offers insights into other passions she has indulged in throughout her life. She did not want a documentary initially because she found them boring and because her long career meant there was too much information and she was unsure what would be left out (Deerchild, 2022). She states that alternative conflict resolution has been ignored in the current times. On her music being misunderstood, she reckons if people interacted with the culture of the indigenous people more, they would understand the message in her music. Buffy says that the positive aspects of Canadian history do not reach the general public because bad news sells. She focuses on positive reinforcement with her message because scolding people for their ignorance does not better learning. Outside music, Buffy has initiatives that deliver education to the indigenous people. Buffy believes that she may be regarded as an elder within the community but despises the limitations imposed on others simply because of age.
The background of the issue being discussed was the recent news that Buffy’s documentary would soon be materialized. Buffy was a booming artist in Canada in the 19th century and dominated the airwaves with her music. She sang about various issues in the community, including wars and the rules in place. Additionally, Buffy’s music also dwelt on romantic relationships, and she spoke about them as she understood them, occasionally expressing her feelings and sharing life stories. Buffy is an esteemed member of the Canadian creative sector, having won multiple awards for her brilliance and the great work she released.
Podcasts are audio media type that delivers content through speech to the general public. The recordings are made in languages that the targeted audience can easily comprehend. The interview was characterized by turn-taking between the two participants, Deerchild and Buffy. During the podcast, music was occasionally played for the entertainment of the audience. This ensured listeners remained invested in the conversation that was ongoing and boosted their focus. Podcasts usually focus on a central idea and this was manifested in Deerchild’s interview with Buffy, where she focused on her music first and then her other activities. The podcast also maintained a crucial balance of the discussion through equal time allocation to all the arising topics. Light moments and occasional jokes are vital in eliminating boredom.
TV Episode
The TV episode selected was one on violence and harassment against women. Various guests were invited to the show and they all offered their views on the topic. Hilda believes that indigenous women are highly likely to experience abuse compared to other people in Canada. Some men overcome the charges brought against them based on politics and the positions they hold. Catherine Martens insists intergenerational trauma is a cause of the harassment witnessed against indigenous women. Women leaders have been ineffective in addressing such violence because their numbers are inefficient and also because they operate within a patriarchal setting. Lorraine Whitman thinks collaboration with men is crucial in ensuring harassment and abuse against indigenous women are eliminated. Rachel Crowspreadwings thinks there is a need for mothers to raise their boys appropriately by preventing the development of predatory tendencies. Mary Annette Pember thinks the issue of women being abused is underreported as few women tell their stories. The tribal environment women reside within makes it difficult for these women to report their experiences as such moves endanger their position in the society
The topic being discussed on television is a sensitive one due to the increased reports of cases of sexual violence and harassment against indigenous women. The failure of the responsible authorities to address the issue and the unfortunate cases of victim shaming in some cases is disappointing. Among women, there is a feeling that men make minimal efforts to aid them in their plight to address this challenge. The cases of indigenous women being harassed and abused by senior members of their communities, including the leaders, have recently been on the rise. The ability of such perpetrators to evade justice discourages women from reporting instances of abuse, which is a concern for the entire country.
Television is an audio-visual method of communication, providing images and audio to the audience. Putting a face to the voice enables the audience to dedicate their attention to the conversation occurring behind the screen. Television also accords the people conversing with an opportunity to add to their message through non-verbal cues such as facial expressions. The use of various gestures is also a vital component of television as a media source because it boosts understanding. The audience is also accorded breaks by the television interview, which eliminate the element of boredom. The breaks also enable the audience to sufficiently integrate the information within one segment and increase their curiosity for more information.
Print Media
The two print media sources chosen are “Cases of Dead Indigenous Women (Narine, 2022b)” and “Greenhouse gas Emission Targets (Narine, 2022a)”. Narine, (2022b) notes that cases of dead indigenous women are not accorded sufficient weight and are therefore ignored by the criminal justice system. The disregard for these cases amounts to stigma and discrimination on race, sex, and class. The missing persons’ reports are never taken seriously by the authorities whenever their relatives present the complaints to the police. The government and those involved ought to take greater responsibility and act more decisively.
There is a need for the indigenous people to become involved in meetings that set targets for greenhouse gas emissions. While the measures are well intended, the timelines set do not consider the quality of life indigenous people are likely to lead. Gas businesses are owned by the indigenous people and decisions to eliminate such will render them jobless. The indigenous community requests a position at the decision-making table so that their concerns are addressed, timelines adjusted, and support measures instituted.
The story of missing women is a worrying trend within Canada because many indigenous women live in perpetual fear of disappearing. Attempts by the relatives of the missing people to get answers from the authorities have been met with blatant disregard for their welfare. The authorities do not take these people seriously and the victims eventually rely on their resources. The story on greenhouse emissions presents an ambitious attempt by the government to safeguard the environment. The indigenous community, however feels ignored due to the magnitude of such measures and their potential consequences. The decision is likely to result in joblessness amongst the indigenous community due to their ownership of such resources.
Print media is a form of communication that mostly presents quotes directly as availed by the speakers. Print media in the examples provided focuses on the words used by the speakers and discrepancies may arise with audience understanding. Print media does not incorporate the voice of the speaker and it is difficult to create a mental image of them speaking. This compels an audience to read the words of a speaker in their voice, eroding originality within the message and dissociating it from the communicator. Print media also relies on the discretion of the writer, who chooses what segment to include within their report.
Summary
In conclusion, podcast relies on the voice of the speakers, TV offers images and the voice, while print media is a written account of what people said. Print media is, therefore, limited to people who can read and write alone, while podcasts and TV rely on a person’s natural senses, provided the language is familiar. TV allows the audience to gain more nonverbal communication in terms of facial expressions and gestures which are absent in podcasts and print media. Podcasts and TV are costlier to access for audiences due to their quality demands compared to print media. People listening to podcasts and those watching television must have a stable internet connection throughout, while print media readers only need to load their feed once. Television ultimately attracts the audience more due to the various efforts undertaken to beautify the studios where the interviews occur. The personnel involved make efforts to appear attractive to the audience. Radio and television are more entertaining than print media due to the inclusion of music, advertisements, and commercial breaks. This provides a variety for the audience, ensuring their focus is maintained.
References
Deerchild, R. (2022). The mission, philosophy and wisdom of Buffy Sainte-Marie. CBC Listen. Web.
Narine, S. (2022a). Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are damaging to First Nations, says Merasty. Windspeaker.com. Web.
Narine, S. (2022b). Relatives of dead Indigenous women still seek answers from police after decades. Windspeaker.com. Web.
Ridgen, M. (2022). Violence against Indigenous women put InFocus. APTN News. Web.