Fake Grass Episode Four

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This week, I have looked at a case study to show how large companies are handling astroturfers who may seek to subvert their business interests. McDonald’s is an extremely attractive target to such types, and their Corporate Social Responsbility ‘Open For Discussion’ weblog would seem to be a vulnerable target.

However, they do not post all comments that are made in response to their entries. Rather, they have a gatekeeping, filtration process that interrupts the two way dialogue that the blogging form champions.

In this vlog, I hope to raise questions for the viewer. If stopping astroturfing comes at the price of no free, open and unedited exchange on the internet, then is stopping it really a worthwhile exercise if the reverse is control?

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Media, Images and People used in Episode Four:

Drumbeat: GarageBand

Theme Music: Ring tone from Optus Zoo www.optuszoo.com.au

McDonald’s: Currambine store used

Website: ‘Open for Discussion.’ (2006) McDonald’s Corporate Social Responsibility. [online] Retrieved 6 October 2006: http://csr.blogs.mcdonalds.com.

Male Voice: Daniel Kerr, iGeneration student

Ronald: ‘Ronald McDonald Images.’ (2006) Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City. [online] Retrieved 5 October 2006: http://www.rmhokc.com.

Animation: Flash/Photoshop sequence

Beach: Burns Beach

Sound effects: iMovie

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