The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: News Media Fantasy versus Reality Essay

AbstractThe purpose of this research paper was to investigate the news medias portrayal of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The coverage provided by the newspapers was compargond to that of scientific journals to access their validity and insight. The reactions the coverage evoked on the public were also studied. The paper specifically addressed the medias portrayal of the oil company versus that of environmental groups. It was set that the news media did not include the benefits the oil company had had on the people and economy of Alaska. It was also found that up until 1989, many Alaskans were opposed to environmental groups. Next, the paper followed the role the media played on the publics emotions and subsequent government policy. In addition, the use of exaggerate statistics in the wake of the spill are examined and corrected. Finally, the debate over the recovery of the area is tackled. And while the debate remains open, the apparent discrepancies in data are discussed. In troductionOn March 27, 1989 the supertanker Exxon Valdez ran ashore in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil. The oil soon spread into the waters of south-central Alaska from the near of Kodiak Island to the Kenai Peninsula (refer to Figure 1 for a map of the area). Almost immediately, news media arrived at the site reporting images of oil-stained beaches and wildlife to the masses. News coverage centered around the environmental ravaging which would result from the spill. The coverage, for the most part, reinforced stereotypes of Alaska, as a pristine wilderness and Exxon as a greedy, irresponsible oil company. These images stressed the negative consequences of the spills and ignored ... ...nd, Alaska. The Condor 102 (4), 723-737.Lance, B. K., Irons, D. B., Kendall, S. J., and McDonald, L. L. (2001) An valuation of marine bird population trends following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prine William Sound , Alaska. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42 (4) 298-309. Leo, Roger. Spill is a Slipery Subject Ten Years Later, Exxon wont Admit the Disaster Continues. Worcester Telegram & gazette Worester, MA. 28 March 1999 D12.Leo, Roger. Still Paying Price for Exxon Spill Some Species Continue to Suffer.Worcester Telegram & Gazette Worester, MA. 30 April 2000 D9Shabecoff, Philip. U.S. Asks Exxon for $20 Million to Access Spill Damage in Alaska.New York Times New York 18 January 1990 B4.Wiens, J. A. (1996) Oil, seabirds, and science the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. BioScience 46 (8) 587-598.

Software Patents, Copyright, and Piracy Issues in India Essay -- Compu

Software secures, Copyright, and Piracy Issues in IndiaIntroductionIndia has developed enormously in the field of science and technology. Information engineering has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the country and a major contributor to the economy. Indias economy has boomed over the foregone decade due to Governments initiates. With it vast pool of educated population and its leading presence in the Software arena India is fast becoming a friendship hub.This paper gives an overview of Patent, copyright and Cyber laws, software piracy issues, and analyses the stinting benefits of reducing piracy and the ethical issues of piracy.Overview of Patent, Copyright and Cyber LawsThe protection regarding Intellectual holding Rights differs from country to country. Beginning with GATT, WTO and TRIPS (Trade tie in Intellectual Property Rights) the economic focus of International trade and global policy has progressively moved from the tariff protection of goods to Protection of Intellectual Property.The Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in India is a movement that is continuing to gain strength. There is a well established Statutory, administrative and Judicial framework to safeguard Intellectual Property rights in India. India has enacted several legislations and drafted amendments to several existing legislations in order to fulfill the obligations imposed on it by TRIPS.Patent LawsPatent rights give the owner the exclusive right to make the invention, use the invention, sell the invention and distribute the invention. These exclusive rights are obtained after the grant of the Patent by Registrar of Patents.In India the law governing Patents is the Patent Act, 1970(the Patents Act). Th... ...ate people to buy legitimate software.ConclusionIndia has strict Intellectual property laws and Information Technology sector is one of the major contributors to the countrys economic development. Therefore reducing software piracy will have a significant impact on the economic growth. Piracy can be curbed by a combination of raids, litigation, and educating users about the advantages of using legal software, the problems associated with copied software and legal penalties etc.,Also global piracy cannot be won without addressing the draconian pricing policies of software proportionate to per capita by the software publishers.References1 www.nasscom.org2 Pavan Duggal, http//cyberlaws.net/cyberindia3 Software Piracy Understanding the larger picture - Express computer , http//www.expresscomputeronline.com/20030721/indtrend1.shtml