Dangerous Dene Prepares for Tigers Comeback

Dene Halatau. The talented Tigers pin up boy; father of two and professional footballer since 2003.

What does the perfect career consist of? Actually making the transition into a top grade squad? Winning an incredible premiership with your debut club?  Representing your country of birth? Playing proudly in the Tri-Nations? Participating in the European tour? Playing the game you love until you reach a decent age?

Well, aside from an unfortunate hinderance of injuries, humble Halatau boasts all of this.

Debuting in round 13 of 2003, Halatau was an influencial player, participating in the Tigers' first grand final win against the North Queendsland Cowboys in 2005. During his time at Concord, he also played 15 tests for New Zealand, from 2004 to 2009. After 128 games and a total of 68 points in the black and gold jersey, Halatau moved to the Canterbury Bulldogs on a 3 year deal in 2010. Playing more than 200 first grade games over his career, the utility turned 31 in January, but this didn't prevent him from re-signing to the Wests Tigers.

In first appearance in Tigers' colours since 2009, Halatau broke his ankle and tore ligaments during the pre-season trial win against the Penrith Panthers early February. Expected to be out for at least 5 months, he surprised everyone with his positive attitude and speedy recovery. Peter Moussa, the Wests Tigers Head Physiotherapist, today stated that Halatau had begun full training a couple of weeks ago and that the New Zealand born beast is named to play in the NSW Cup team this weekend.

Having previously played with the club for many years and being one of the remaining members from the Wests Tigers’ 2005 premiership success, Halatau's return to the club will be greatly welcomed by all. Adding invaluable experience to a relatively young squad, his utility value is one that will no doubt be utilised following his much awaited return.

1. http://hoseagear.blogspot.com.au/2012_01_01_archive.html
2. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/dene-halatau-re-signs-with-bulldogs/story-fnca0von-1226423469595
3. http://www.weststigers.com.au/content/tigers/club/news/2013/12/09/2014-nrl-draw-preview-dene-halatau.html

Agenda Settings

Similar to news values, agenda settings are a set of topics that members of the public perceieve as important. They are the values chosen by the media that best represtent the angle of their news as well as their demographics. For instance the Townsville Seven local news will be based on local stories, events, crimes and developments and the Rugby League Week magazine would publish articles relevant to football.

The concept of reality is socially constructed through a process of communication using shared language. Reality exists, but not through social life. The agenda settings differs between commercial and public media, selection of news include the proccess of critical reflection, substance, political correctness and the reflection on public opinion, which is filtered and shaped. Mass media injects direct influence into the audience and use images to support and influence the reader into further believing the story; especially negative and positive views on high profile stories such as those regarding refugees and celebrities.

Term	Description
Gate keeping	Exposure of an issue and what the media chooses to reveal to the public
Advocacy	Promoting an event, development or issue, etc, in a positive light
Cutting	The truth is not represented and less issues are cared about
Surfing	Media following trends and public interest (E.g. Kony)
Diffusion	Process of released news: how, where, when…
Portrayal	Issue perceived by public from media news
Media dependence	Dependant to the media and susceptible to the story

Ethics in Journalism and Kevin Carter Controversy

There is a moral obligation for news articles, investigations and feature stories to all approach their subject in an ethical way. The angle must usually be delicate, not accusatory or unethical, especially when dealing with death. The angle has to be thought out and direct to the point that they wish to make. They have to enlighten the public but not offend or force a particular view onto the reader. News that is insensitive or too controversial can harm the audience as well as the author of the text.

One troubled photographer, Kevin Carter, is a well-known example of a photo journalist that come into controversy with an "unethical" photograph.

In March 1993, Carter was on a job in Sudan, Africa. His job was to capture an image that depicted the severity of famine within the country. Working near the village of Ayod, Carter stumbled across a tiny girl, who had stopped her crawl to rest, on her way to a United Nations food center. The girl was being watched by a vulture. Waiting for 20 minutes, Carter waited for the bird to open its large wings. When it became apparent the bird would not comply with this, Carter took his shot, then shooed the bird away.

Practically overnight the New York Times, which first published the infamous image, received hundreds of calls of criticism and concern for the girl. Much of the public was outraged that the photographer waited so long for his shot and did not shoo the vulture away sooner, they were appalled that the girl did not receive his help- that he walked away instead of helping her to the food center. Carter had actually been advised not to touch anyone, no matter what the situation.

The 'Struggling Girl' photojournalism, one of the worlds' most controversial images, was awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1994. Just two years later, Kevin Carter committed suicide by carbon monoxide. In his suicide note he wrote "I am haunted by the vivid memories of killings and corpses and anger and pain... of starving or wounded children, of trigger-happy madmen, of killer executioners."

This photograph is obviously extremely controversial. Even today, the image still circulates social media and divides opinions, creating discussions on what would personally be done in that situation as well as how ethical the picture is.

In my opinion, the image is not unethical. Carter did not follow everyone's views on what is ethical and what is not, but he certainly did bring awareness to his cause- to enlighten the world on the diabolical state of famine in Africa and in particular, Sudan. Everyone has different ideologies on what is right and what is wrong, as well as personal opinions and preferences on what actions they themselves would have taken.

A journalist' job, especially a photojournalist, is very specific. Get in, do your job, get out. Carter was not there to help the people he saw- that was the United Nations' job. He was understandably ordered not to touch the people he saw, in case of passed on sickness. He was an experienced photographer who was in a poverty-stricken place to photograph what he saw in regards to famine. He needed a shocking image to startle the nation into action and he achieved the confrontational image without manipulation.

No, the photographer did not risk his own health and safety by carrying the child to the food center, but the harsh reality is that there is no guarantee the child would have survived anyway. It is probable that there were many bodies, both living and deceased, in the area around the young girl. It would not have been his decision to shoot and publish the most convenient image, but the image that was most powerful, the image that told a thousand words. The intention from capturing the image will have been to reveal the truth, give people around the world the knowledge that famine was (and still is) happening and to shock them into doing something about it.

There is no compassion in the image, just the cold, hard truth. Judging from his actions before, during and after shooting the young girl, he did not show compassion here either, aside from finally shooing the vulture away. If Carter had not told the truth, had not placed himself in a position open to ethical debate, the reactions to the image would. It would still probably be controversial, but it would not be recognized as an image in which the photographer did nothing to help, but a confronting truth about the extreme famine in the world.

~

Paula Gortázar's blog, 'Not just a document: Ethical limits in document photography' states:

Carter did not kill himself only because of the controversy arisen after this shot –though most sensationalist press like to say so- but because he had seen far too much suffering during his whole career and could not cope any longer with living with all these memories. Whether or not he did the wrong thing when photographing the struggling girl in Sudan, the truth is that Kevin Carter gave his whole life for the sake of information. He communicated reality in the most truthful way, hoping to make a change by increasing society’s awareness of the world’s injustice. No one said that dealing with human suffering was easy and it should be understandable that one could lose the sense of what is moral or not after witnessing the world’s worst human tragedies. From my point of view –and probably for Carter too- it is a pity that the photograph will only be remembered for its ethical controversy and not for what for the human tragedy it depicts.

(Quote and 'Struggling Girl' image):

http://www.paulagortazar.blogspot.com.au/p/ethical-limits-in-documentary.html

(Kevin Carter image)

http://www.roads.co/S=0/roads-blog/documentary-the-death-of-kevin-carter-by-dan-krauss/

Political Economy of the Media

Who do you imagine when talking about the powers behind Australia's media?
It's a man, isn't it? A man with wrinkles, white skin, maybe some greying hair and perhaps the hint of a round belly underneath an expensive suit jacket? Not surprising.

The core concepts of the political economy in regards to the media are:

• Ownership
• Regulation
• Audience labor
• Surveillance

The regulations involved include content, classification, quotes and emerging media, as well as ethical implications and ideologies.

The audience labor is simple: the reader actually does the work for the media. Newspapers, television, the radio- these are all mediums that people read, watch and listen to. This forms a direct, or indirect, payment. Direct being CDs, books and movies, and indirect which covers magazines and newspapers. Regardless of payment, the audience pays for media.

You should realise: news has never been free and it highly unlikely that it ever will be free.

'Brandscape' means selling lifestyles. This is what the media is doing when they advertise products like Apple, Xbox, Kindl and Cola. Political economists sell the audience to advertisers and work to ensure their message is being heard above others.

Other sources that can be researched in regards to the political economy within the media:

• Herman and Chomsky's modal
• Advertising licence
• Flak and Enforcers (media responses)

To find out more about the political economy in the media, the consumption by kids and the issues which arise from this, have a look at:
http://dschroeder88.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/political-economy-and-the-consumption-of-kids/

Salary Cap Situation

The last few days has, as usual, has brought a range of news through the rugby league community. There have been players signing with new teams and old, club activity days with school children and aspiring footballers and quite obviously, the 100^th game of State of Origin opener, where the underdogs, New South Wales, had a gutsy, gritty, valiant win over Queensland. The other piece of news from the world of rugby was the news that the Brisbane Broncos were being investigated over a possible breach of the salary cap.
 

Over the years, the salary cap has reared its ugly numerical head multiple times. All 16 teams have faced investigations by the National Rugby League over the last 14 years, with the largest incidences coming from the Bulldogs, the Warriors and most recently, the Melbourne Storm; where a group of senior managers at the Storm engaged in an elaborate scheme to purposely conceal payments and therefore scandalously breach the system. From 2006 until the end of 2010, the Storm managed to tally an astonishing $3.17 million and as an unforgiving punishment, the club had their hard-fought 2007 and 2009 premiership titles stripped, as well as the humiliating struggle of playing for no competition points throughout the 2010 season, regardless of wins or byes- leaving them the wooden spooners for the season.
 

The issue with the Brisbane Broncos is no-where near as severe as the Melbourne Storm. In fact, the breach is most like the New Zealand Warriors situation, as the Broncos themselves also alerted the NRL of a possible breach of the Cap by previous management at the club. The breach is in regards to the third-party deals with players, which are reported to be up to $500,000, over three years. It is thought the club may have breached the cap after guaranteeing the third-party deals. Fairfax Media, however, has been told that no money has been paid to any Broncos player and has suggested that the issue was brought up after complaints from at least one player about deals not being fulfilled.

According to the Salary Cap Breakdown in the Rugby League Reference Centre on nrl.com, the payments that players can earn outside of the salary sap from corporate sponsors who are not associated with the club are unlimited. This stands as long as the sponsor does not use the game’s intellectual property, which includes club logos and jerseys and also provided the sponsorship is pre-approved. It additionally states that the club, as an incentive of the player to sign a contract, cannot negotiate the agreements, nor can the club guarantee them. This is where the Brisbane Broncos have found irregularities.
 

The club’s immediate reaction to contact the NRL over the discovery and agree to work with them throughout the ongoing investigation is notable. As the investigation is pending, it can only be assumed that the Broncos will not lose any competition points, however as it is still a breach, it is likely there will be a fine. Even though the Warriors voluntarily came forward after a breach by previous management in 2006, the club still had 4 competition points docked and a fine of $430,000.

The salary cap changes considerably every year. Ten years ago the salary cap for every club was $3.3 million; this year the salary cap for every club is $5.5million. In 2013 the salary cap was $5.150million, up from $4.4million in the 2012 season. With a competitive market and an abundance of talent new and old, the cap will need to grow substantially, catering for all players of the National Rugby League and the Holden Cup, marquee players, representative players and allowance. It’s highly unlikely there will be no more breaches of the cap, but as to whom and why, the rugby league community will just have to wait.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/why-nrl-cant-dump-salary-cap/story-e6frexp0-1111117061267

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-investigates-brisbane-broncos-for-alleged-salary-cap-breach-20140527-zrq5c.html

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/melbourne-storm-salary-cap-breach-tallies-317-million-over-five-years/story-fn2mcuj6-1225923040882 

http://www.nrl.com/nrlhq/referencecentre/salarycap/tabid/10434/default.aspx

Tigers look for win in 15 year celebration

The Wests Tigers will celebrate 15 years as a club against the Brisbane Broncos at Campbelltown Sports Stadium tonight. 

It's been fifteen seasons since the joint venture played their very first game in round 1, 2000, against the Brisbane Broncos at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. There's no doubt this will be a huge game, will the Tigers hoping for an inspirational victory aided by a vocal home crowd.

The Broncos are a strong team, but have been hit harder with the State of Origin selections and injuries than the Tigers- with key players Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett out, compared to the Tigers' two influential figureheads, captain Robbie Farah and front row Aaron Woods.

Although there is no doubt the two galliant giants will be missed, the Tigers boast a talented squad with plenty of potential. Already on a two-game winning streak, the boys are sure to come out firing.

Having drawn 24 all in 2001, fingers are crossed for the boys in black and gold to be rewarded with the two points, 15 years on.

http://www.weststigers.com.au/

Once Upon a Time: A Tigertown Tale

Once upon a time in Tigers town, a young cub named Kurtis Rowe prowled patiently.

He was born across the ditch in Taranaki, New Zealand, but little Rowe had moved to Australia when a new cub club had signed him. He had trained at Keebra Park State High School in Queensland- the preparatory home of many great Tiger cubs before him. The young male excelled in his training and soon began his first days as an official Wests Tigers Under 20s cub. Consistently labelled a delight to teach by his trainer, Todd Payten, he played for two years. Sprinting joyfully down the field, dodging the enemy and tackling them forcefully whenever they came near him with the ball was exhilarating. Weighing only 82kg, the cub excelled at moving quickly and squeezing through the burly opposition. He continued to excel through the ranks and was apart of both the Australian Schoolboys squad in 2011 and the Junior Kiwis 2013 representative teams, where he crossed the line twice to score.

With the turn of age, Rowe graduated to the NSW Cup side, where the cub was not just regarded by all who knew him as respectful and fit, but also a definite try scorer. With his impressive speed and supporting plays getting him across the line, he scored an incredible 38 tries in just 45 games. Finally, after years of playing with the young cubs, Rowe was called upon to play with the big cats after another Tiger was injured. He was ecstatic.

With the big bosses at the club reassuring the supporters they had made the right choice, the debut Tiger was set to play fullback against the North Queensland Cowboys.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/wests-tigers-name-debutants-kurtis-rowe-and-blake-austin-20140408-zqsbi.html#ixzz2yIKYyPx2

http://www.weststigers.com.au/content/tigers/club/team/profiles/kurtis-rowe.html