The Stance of Playboy in the Media - Essay Example

Opinion Piece Playboy Approaching Singapore Target Publication: BBC News (Opinion Editorial) Aim: To discover the influences of media and how this changes according to cultural differences. To understand the stance of Playboy and how it creates controversy according to belief systems. Censorship is continuing to cover up the influences of media in some sectors of the world. A controversial concept that remains a hot topic in many countries is from the magazine of Playboy, especially since the magazine focuses on revealing it all. An example of this is through Singapore and the ban made on the magazine because of the exposure to nudity. While I don’t need to go to Playboy to get the latest topics of interest, I also believe that individuals or a culture shouldn’t be prevented from doing so. While this shows a sense of respect to culture, it also creates a question of how much control should be created over media influences in a given country. By releasing the ban on Playboy, there is also the ability to open media statements that allow the public to gather information that is diverse and timely from a broader perspective. The ban of Playboy is only one of several media publications which don’t have room in the Singapore culture. I have found that the controls over the magazine are creating continuous debates from those who want to get closer to nudity and to organizations that want to keep the doors closed. The problem is one based on the ideology of out of bound markers, mostly which implies sexual, political, racial and religious issues which don’t have an ethical or cultural relationship to the culture. Bans made in Singapore are implemented through the Media Development Authority (MDA), specifically which justifies what is shown through the media. The authority is a branch of the Singapore government and has created a standard for censorship policies to uphold values and ethics in relation to the concept of free expression (Gomez, 2000). While the government, authorities and culture of Singapore holds values through the banning of magazines, a larger issue is at hand with the decision not to provide Playboy in the culture. I believe that the issue is based on control over topics which may not be considered ethical or which may be controversial. If there isn’t a magazine like Playboy, then how will free expression from various topics be heard? The problem isn’t with nudity it is with individual interest and to undress different areas of freedom. I believe the government and the MDA become forces which stop freedom of expression, exploration or a deeper understanding of the news, media and knowledge understood to the world. The problem then relates to individuals who can’t explore the full depth of nudity and Playboy statements. I think it is time for the controls and forces from the government and media to come down in Singapore. There isn’t a true understanding of whether sexual expressions are also a lack of value within society. The content in Playboy is considered controversial because of the nudity of women and what this may imply. However, this may not be considered morally wrong by some and implies a freedom of expression. I think that with exposure, there is also expanded awareness, changing beliefs and the ability to understand new lifestyles. By censoring the media, an entire culture is deprived from this awareness. While the ban on Playboy in Singapore is created through the government and MDA as a censorship for values, it does not provide a complete interpretation for the needs of society. The statement made through the institutions is one created with the ideology that media and information should be controlled according to what the government believes the values should be. More important, there is a withholding of knowledge and information that may provide those in Singapore with a different understanding or meaning to life. By withholding any type of media, there is also a censorship of freedom in terms of expression and exploration of society. I believe that the more in which exposure to media and content is provided to cultures, there is also the ability to change values and lifestyle for the good. References Gomez, James. (2000). Self – Censorship: Singapore’s Shame. Think Center. Title: Defining Success with Entrepreneurial Leadership Target Publication: Entrepreneur Magazine Aim: To inform and inspire readers to understand the ways in which entrepreneurs lead to their own success. Entrepreneurial leadership is one of the highest attributes reached when working in the field, specifically because of the changes, shifts and needs which need to be met. For Gregg Bernstein, these leadership skills become opportunities to lead to success. Bernstein began his success in Dallas, Texas after studying finance and now lives in Hawaii, continuing to expand his series of businesses in nature exploration and advertising. His success has led him to continuous awards for being a top entrepreneur, as well as continuous opportunities that continue to provide him with recognition as one of the top leaders of entrepreneurs. The success of Bernstein began over 12 years ago with a group of companies based on advertising, outdoor adventures and travel. The companies most recognized include Global Outdoor Services and Billboards.com. These companies have expanded by almost 700% year in the first years and attract Fortune 500 clients continuously because of their success. Bernstein states that the continuous growth has occurred because he found that alternative perspectives offer more opportunity. When looking at competitors, Bernstein would formulate solutions others weren’t offering, specifically to offer more to others who needed the advertising services or packages that were not readily available. It was this formula for success alone which allowed Bernstein to continue to grow and reach a flow of prosperity. Today, Bernstein continues to offer the same type of services with outdoor adventures and travel experiences unheard of from other nature adventure specialists (Dodwell, 2010). The recognition of Bernstein is one which has led to several areas of recognition for others working in the same field. In 2002, Bernstein was nominated for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award is provided to young entrepreneurs who are able to work into high levels of success in a short period of time. He also served on the Dallas Chapter Board of Directors for seven years, followed by his association with the Young Entrepreneur’s Organization (YEO) to assist others in reaching his same level of success. His continuous recognition has also led him to becoming an example for other entrepreneurs, such as case studies featured in books by Neil O. Pflum in “Be Success.” (Dodwell, 2010). When asking about this success, Bernstein states “it is not the award or the activities that are important. This is only the end of a known process. More important, is the ability to go through a process that helps with individual and business growth” (Bernstein, 2011). The formula for success Bernstein implemented is not limited to the formulas and innovations used during his entrepreneurial adventure. When speaking to Bernstein, he relates all experiences back to his personal development and growth. He states that his “success holds a foundation of being able to do what he feels personally will help him to achieve success”. As his thought patterns and daily life matches with this, he is able to continue to grow and work into prosperity. The main formula in his life is an understanding that it is personal development and a belief from the mind which allows a person to develop their entrepreneurial endeavors. His belief is that: “as you grow in your personal development, you will also be able to develop your identity as an entrepreneur.” For Bernstein, this has been his true formula to success (Bernstein, 2011). To any entrepreneur looking for growth and prosperity, Bernstein offers the same type of advice. This combines with the strategies which he has developed as well as the philosophies he carries for leadership. Bernstein hints that every entrepreneur has the potential to reach unlimited amounts of success. However, the stories shared also indicate that this only comes as an individual develops and creates opportunity while overcoming challenges. The personal leadership of one’s life is what Bernstein indicates reflects in a business venture and what one desires to do. Without the leadership of one’s own ideologies, there is a limit to what one may achieve or believe should be done. To counteract this, every entrepreneur first has to develop leadership within them then to create opportunity by allowing this to drive the individual forward. Bernstein gave the example with his current outdoor venture company. He stated that this would not have occurred if he didn’t learn certain things about nature and how to guide individuals in a certain way so they could learn about the process (Bernstein, 2011). When speaking and spending time with Bernstein, one is able to instantly see the philosophies come to life. Always in a calm and constructive mode, Bernstein is able to formulate and create things while speaking with another individual. The mentality of Bernstein shows through his actions that his awareness is always in the surroundings and looking for opportunities to assist others through business propositions or to offer more development either through personal needs or potential situations. It is this continuous awareness and driving force that allows Bernstein to function as an entrepreneur while developing continuous success within the world of business development and entrepreneurial endeavors. Every entrepreneur has the opportunity of learning from the success of Bernstein, beginning with the amount of growth and businesses developed. More important are the personality and the philosophies that show that business is more than developing strategies, but also means developing the personality and strategy of the mind. With this personal formula for success, Bernstein believes that every individual has the opportunity of building prosperity and abundance by creating their own opportunity. References Bernstein, Gregg. 2011. Interview with the entrepreneur on 17th September 2011. Phone. [Recording in possession of entrepreneur.] Dodwell, Ross. 2010. “An Interview with Greg Bernstein.” Retrieved Sept 17th, 2011 from: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rossdodwell/2010/08/11/an-interview-with-greg-magick-bernstein. Read More