My story

My name is Simisola Balogun, and I’m currently a student at the University of Maryland, where I balance my life as both a student and an athlete. I’m happy to say that I run track for UMD’s track team,  which has been an experience that has not only sharpened my physical abilities but also taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of mental toughness.

 

As the daughter of Nigerian parents, my heritage is a central part of who I am. Growing up with a strong cultural foundation has instilled in me values of resilience, hard work, and family, all of which continue to guide me in both my academic and athletic journey.

Our history

Right now, I’m just focused on growing on the track, in school, and as a person. I know the work I’m putting in now is setting me up for where I want to be in the future, and I’m excited for the journey ahead.Academically, I’m pursuing a Biology major, with the long-term goal of becoming a dentist. I’ve always been drawn to the sciences, and dentistry stands out to me as a career where I can combine my passion for healthcare with my desire to make a direct and positive impact in people’s lives. The journey isn’t easy balancing labs, lectures, and practice but I know all the work we put in today will be worth it in the end. 

My motivation

 

One of my biggest sources of inspiration is my family. My parents’ dedication and sacrifices remind me why I push myself every day. They’ve shown me what it means to work hard, stay consistent, and never lose sight of your values. Being Nigerian adds another layer to that inspiration our culture is built on resilience, strength, and community, and those qualities are what drive me in school, on the track, and in life.

I also get inspired by the people around me. My teammates motivate me daily. When I see them giving their all at practice, it reminds me that I can do the same. Inspiration doesn’t always have to come from big, flashy wins it’s often in the little moments, like someone pushing through a hard workout or studying late at night for an exam.

My media related interests

Lately, I’ve been really interested in how media affects the way we see ourselves and the world. Media is everywhere on our phones, in the news, in music and movies and it definitely plays a role in how people think and act. I notice it especially with social media, where so much of what we see can impact confidence, trends, and even how we connect with each other.

By the end of the semester, I want to learn more about a few things I’m curious about: how social media affects self-image and confidence for young people, and athletes plus how media representation shapes the way minority groups are seen, how athletes can use media to build their brand, and how new technology like AI is changing media. These are all things I notice in everyday life, and I’d like to understand them better.

For me, studying media feels important because it helps explain why people act or think the way they do. I want to see how media connects to culture, identity, and the choices we make, and I think learning more about it will help me look at the world with a different perspective.

 

Another thing I want to reflect on is how media is changing so quickly. Technology has made it easier for anyone to create content and share their voice, which is powerful, but it also comes with challenges. Misinformation spreads fast, and it can be hard to know what’s real and what’s not. I think understanding how media works on both the positive and negative side is important, because it gives us tools to use it in a healthier and smarter way.

 

Overall, I see studying media as more than just analyzing TV shows or social platforms—it’s about understanding influence. The more I learn, the better I’ll be at recognizing how media affects me, my peers, and society as a whole. It’s something I want to carry with me beyond this class, because media will only continue to grow and shape the way we experience the world.

Questions

One question I have is how social media affects mental health and self-image, especially for young people and college students who are constantly online. I also wonder about the role of representation how race, gender, and culture are portrayed in media, and how that shapes the way people see themselves or how they are perceived by others.

Another area I’d like to learn about is how athletes and public figures use media to build their personal brand and connect with fans. Since I run track, it interests me to see how sports and media overlap, and how athletes use their platforms beyond just competing. Finally, I want to understand how media is changing with new technology, like AI, and what responsibilities media platforms have when it comes to preventing misinformation. These questions are important to me because they connect both to my personal experiences and the larger world we’re all living in

 

 

photo credit ; Simisola balogun.

      The music Industry   🎧

“Who Really Gets Paid?” — The Real Cost Behind Our Favorite Songs

Music usage is at an all time high right now even for me. Music streaming has completely changed the way we listen to music. Instead of buying CDs or digital downloads, we now have access to millions of songs right from our phones. Services like Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube Music, and even favorable apps like instagram and TikTok  have made listening easier than ever, but behind the convenience is a complicated business model. Every time we press play, fractions of a penny get divided between artists, record labels, and streaming companies.The money we spend each month rarely ends up in the pockets of the people who make the music. The system benefits big record labels and streaming platforms the most, while smaller artists often struggle to make a living. The big question is who’s really making money every time we hit play? . When you hit “play,” the dollars (or cents) don’t just go to the artist  they go through labels, distributors, and streaming platforms

Below, I'll break down three of my favorite songs right now “Is It a Crime” (Mariah the Scientist), “Forever Be Mine” (Gunna), and “My World” (Chucky) who owns their labels, and estimate how the earnings get divided. Each song comes from a different type of artist, giving a good look at how money moves through the industry.

Song 1: “Is It a Crime” — Mariah the Scientist

  • Record Label(s): Buckles Laboratories, Epic Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

  • Who Owns It: Epic Records is part of Sony Music Entertainment; Buckles Laboratories is Mariah’s imprint. Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Pitchfork+3

  • Royalty / Streaming Breakdown (estimate):
    Suppose Spotify pays about $0.004 per stream (this is within the typical range) to the rights holders. From that $0.004:

    1. The label (Epic/Sony) might take 70–80%, leaving ~$0.0008–$0.0012 per stream.

    2. From what’s left, Mariah might get 20–30% (or less, depending on her contract), so she might earn about $0.0002–$0.0004 per stream.

    3. Producers, songwriters, and distributors get their share too.
      So, for a million streams, Mariah might see $200–$400 before other deductions (like management, taxes, advances).

    4. If “Is It a Crime” gets one million streams, that’s about $4,000 total in royalties. But Mariah might only see about 20–30% of that after her label, producer, and management all take their cuts — roughly $800–$1,200.

Song 2: “Forever Be Mine” — Gunna

  • Record Label(s): YSL and 300 Wikipedia

  • Who Owns It: YSL is Gunna’s label (Young Stoner Life), and 300 Entertainment is an independent label (but has distribution deals). Wikipedia

  • Royalty / Streaming Breakdown (estimate):
    Using the same $0.004 per stream estimate:

    • The label/distributor (YSL + 300) might take 70%, leaving ~$0.0012 per stream for the artist and others.

    • Gunna’s share, depending on contract, might be 15–25% of that remaining amount, so ~$0.00018–$0.00030 per stream.

    • For 1 million streams, that translates to $180–$300 (before other splits with producers, co-writers, etc.).

    • It’s wild to think that even a platinum artist has to rely on tours and brand partnerships to make real money. Streaming is great for exposure — but it doesn’t always pay the bills
    • Gunna’s situation demonstrates how many artists are squeezed between label overhead, marketing expenses, and platform cuts. The Mechanics of the Recording Industry source describes how many layers (label, sub-label, distributor, publisher) all take a cut before the artist sees income.

Song 3: “My World” — Chucky

  • Record Label: Santa Anna Wikipedia

  • Who Owns It: Santa Anna is presumably Chucky’s label or imprint (less corporate backing than majors). Wikipedia

  • Royalty / Streaming Breakdown (estimate):
    Again assuming $0.004 per stream:

    • Label/distributor might take 60–70% (smaller label often gives a bit more to the artist), leaving ~$0.0012 to $0.0016 per stream.

    • Chucky’s cut might be higher in such a deal — say 30–40% of the remainder, giving ~$0.00036 to $0.00064 per stream to him.

    • So for 1 million streams, Chucky might earn $360–$640 before paying producers, songwriters, etc.

In conclusion 

 

  • So basically or songs with millions of streams, the artist’s take from streaming alone is not as much as we all think , especially after labels, producers, distributors, and songwriters all take their cut.

  • Major labels with deep infrastructure (like Sony via Epic) tend to keep large percentages of revenue, especially from big artists, leaving smaller margins for the artist.

  • Artists with their own label imprints (like Mariah with Buckles) or who release under smaller labels (like Chucky with Santa Anna) might negotiate more favorable percentages, but still face many downstream deductions.

  • Because streaming pays in tiny fractions of a cent, most artists rely heavily on touring, merchandise, licensing deals, brand partnerships, or ownership of masters to make substantial income.

 

So who's really winning ?

When you pay $10.99 a month for Spotify Premium, about 70% of that goes to rights holders — which includes record labels, publishers, and distributors. The remaining 30% stays with Spotify to cover expenses and profit. But of that 70%, artists usually only get a small slice.

Labels like the ones below are who are making the highest profit. The music business has become increasingly dominated by a few large corporations (Sony, Universal, Warner). These entities control major label rosters and the rights to massive catalogs. The Global Music Report shows how their dominance has grown over the last decade.

Sony 

YSl

Warner

My thoughts ....

I think streaming services are great and accessible , but the current system isn’t fair to artists. The fact that a million streams might only earn someone a few hundred dollars doesn’t sit right with me. Artists put so much time and creativity into their work they deserve to be paid like it. Its understandable why some artist go on tour so often , How Virtual Reality is Used in Music shows how immersive concert experiences could open new revenue streams (ticketing, VR merch), shifting some dependence away from streaming payouts alone.

Explore my sources 

sources

* **Pew Research Center.** (2024). *Audio and Podcasting Fact Sheet.* [https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-sheet/audio-and-podcasting/](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-sheet/audio-and-podcasting/)
* **IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry).** (2024). *Global Music Report.* [https://www.ifpi.org/resources/global-music-report-2024/](https://www.ifpi.org/resources/global-music-report-2024/)
* **Soundcharts.** (2023). *The Mechanics of the Recording Industry: Labels, Distribution, and Royalties Explained.* [https://soundcharts.com/blog/mechanics-recording-industry](https://soundcharts.com/blog/mechanics-recording-industry)
* **Mordor Intelligence.** (2025). *What Will 2025 Bring for the Music Industry?* [https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/music-industry-trends](https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/music-industry-trends)
* **Medium.** (2024). *After 2026, the Music Industry Will Not Be the Same.* [https://medium.com/@musictech/after-2026-music-industry-changes](https://medium.com/@musictech/after-2026-music-industry-changes)
* **Forbes.** (2024). *The Evolution of the Music Industry in the Digital Age.* [https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/02/28/the-evolution-of-the-music-industry-in-the-digital-age/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/02/28/the-evolution-of-the-music-industry-in-the-digital-age/)
* **XR Today.** (2024). *How Virtual Reality is Used in Music.* [https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/how-virtual-reality-is-used-in-music/](https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/how-virtual-reality-is-used-in-music/)
* **Music Business Worldwide.** (2024). *The Impact of AI on the Music Industry.* [https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-impact-of-ai-on-the-music-industry/](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-impact-of-ai-on-the-music-industry/)
* **Statista.** (2025). *Radio Statistics and Listening Trends in the U.S.* [https://www.statista.com/topics/1331/radio/](https://www.statista.com/topics/1331/radio/)

Visual Storytelling

The ongoing war in Gaza has been one of the most heartbreaking and widely covered events in recent months. Every time I hear about it, I get sad because no one should have to go through something like this losing their homes, loved ones, and sense of safety. I chose this topic because it represents not just a political conflict, but a deep human tragedy that affects millions of innocent people. It also stood out the most to me in the recent months, so it just felt right to speak about. The images and stories coming out of Gaza are very difficult to look at, yet they’re important to see, because they remind us of the real people behind the headlines and the urgent need for compassion and awareness in times like these. It also shows us to be thankful for the lives we have, because there is always someone going thru things that are way worse.

photo 1: A view of Gaza City shows entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble after weeks of airstrikes

Scene setter 

- Everything starts with this picture. It helps viewers understand the magnitude of the damage and how whole communities have been ripped apart. According to the Visual Literacy White Paper, in order to comprehend images' deeper significance, viewers must learn to "read" them rather than just see them. This involves observing elements such as composition, perspective, and frame. It seems as though the observer is floating above tragedy in this picture because of the distance created by the aerial frame. It feels both strong and a little disconnected because of that distance, which makes me consider how journalism frequently presents the broad picture but leaves out the specifics. The lives, laughter, and loss of the individuals who occupied those buildings are what are lacking from this scene. It tells it all.

 

Photo  2 : Kids gather outside shelters in Khan Younis, trying to find food and water.

Medium shots 

We are brought closer to the conflict's human side by this picture. The child's expressions show her exhaustion and anxiety, but they also show strength in simply keeping going. "How Framing Affects Our Understanding" discusses how framing alters our interpretation of events; in this image, the camera's treatment of the girl and likely her family who isn't shown in harsh light, emphasizes their fragility. My feelings are also influenced by the way the picture is framed; it draws my attention to the low energy shown from the child and the hunger in her eyes. What we don't see is all the other families who look the same way and have nothing to eat as well. The lack of background information, such as where they will sleep or what they will eat next, intensifies the emotional aspect

 

 

 

 

Photo 3: A young boy sits among the ruins of his home

Portrait 

This is one of those images that stays with you. The boy's eyes express all of his disorientation, pain, and strength despite his calm face. The Visual Literacy White Paper claims that pictures can act as a "mirror of emotion," enabling viewers to relate to complex world events on a personal level. This picture accomplishes precisely that. Because to the tight framing, we can clearly see the facial expression and his emotions without any interruptions. We are forced to face his truth. The fact that the picture is authentic real child in a real setting going through something that no one should have to go through made it even more heartbreaking. His family members and the sounds of the neighborhood he used to know are absent from the picture, but the stillness of it makes it much more powerful 

 

 

Photo 4 :  burned notebooks lie in the rubble near what used to be a school in Gaza.

Detail Shot 

A smaller, darker portion of the narrative is captured in this detail picture. Powerful photography is moving toward more symbolic imagery, or isolated details that symbolize much broader realities, according to the article Global Trends and the Future of Photography. These notebooks, which is partially coated in dust, speaks louder than any statistics about the loss of innocence and education. You are drawn into the textures of the paper and ash by the tight backdrop. The children who once filled the pages with their writing and dreams are gone. Instead of focusing on what is literally in front of you, the framing forces you to consider what was formerly there. It serves as a reminder that often the most significant emotional impact can be found in the tiniest objects, such as a book, toy, or doorway.

 

Photo 5: Paramedics rush to carry the wounded after an airstrike in Rafah

Action shot 

This image perfectly conveys movement and urgency. The paramedics are reacting, tirelessly trying to save someone's life, not pretending. The image's strength comes from the blur of motion, which practically draws the observer into the chaos. It's not quite balanced from a framing standpoint, but that's what gives it depth. Since truth isn't always tidy or centered, authentic images frequently defy conventional compositional conventions, as the Visual Literacy White Paper reminds us. Additionally, I validated the source of this image by using Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative. Verifying the provenance of an image is crucial for confidence in an era where artificial intelligence-generated graphics are becoming more prevalent. This image captures not only the devastation of structures but also the tenacity of individuals who never give up on one another.

 

What this taught me ...

I made an effort to consider critically how authenticity, emotion, and framing affect our perceptions of Gaza while looking at all of these pictures. These images are records of human experience rather than only images. They serve as a reminder that genuine photography is still crucial in the digital age, even though AI and algorithms can produce a limitless number of fake photographs. It gives compassion, passion, and reality to universal topics that could otherwise go unnoticed.

My Conclusion 

I chose these specific images because together they show both the destruction and the humanity that still exists in Gaza. The order of the photos was intentional I started with wide scene-setters to show the scale of the damage, then moved into closer shots that focus on people’s faces and moments of survival.That arrangement shows that there is power and hope even in the midst of sorrow by telling a story that moves from disorder to resiliency. The story would have felt more personal right away if I had ordered the pictures differently, such as by starting with portraits rather than wide shots, but it might have lost some of the background on how enormous and terrible the issue is. As we discovered in How Framing Affects Our Understanding, the way a picture is framed fundamentally alters how individuals see it. Because their decisions on what to show (and what not to show) affect how the public views an event, reporters have a great deal of responsibility.

 

One of the biggest ethical concerns with these images is respecting the dignity of the people in them.It's important to avoid taking advantage of suffering or making someone else's sorrow into something to ignore. Both Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative and the Visual Literacy White Paper stress context and honesty not simply taking striking pictures but also ensuring that they are used appropriately and are recognized. I believe that visual reporting still has a significant influence in today's image-rich environment, but only if it is genuine and emotionally genuine. New journalists must put forth considerably more effort to gain people's trust. I believe that using new technologies to communicate stories while maintaining a sense of reality and humanity will be crucial to the future of visual reporting.

Citing 

 

  • The Visual Literacy White Paper — Aperture / Visual literacy primer. Aperture

  • Content Authenticity Initiative (C2PA / CAI) — how provenance and content credentials work; includes a verifier tool. Content Authenticity Initiative+1

  • Adobe Content Authenticity blog / tool (easy creator interface for content credentials). Adobe Blog

  • Framing Theory / How Framing Affects Our Understanding — media theory resources (MassComm theory + accessible framing explainers). Mass Communication Theory+1

  • Global Trends and the Future of Photography / AI in Film — background on how tech/AI is changing visual storytelling (context for ethical concerns).

 

Streaming the Conversation: How Netflix Masters Social Media

Introduction -  Netflix is the one business that truly knows how to keep people talking online. Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph founded the company in 1997 when they decided to mail DVDs rather than requiring customers to visit the video store. A major factor in Netflix's ongoing success as one of the largest streaming services globally is its social media presence. Being active and creative online is essential for businesses like Netflix to stay relevant in an era where the majority of audience members obtain their news and entertainment updates from social media apps (as indicated in the Pew Research Center's Social Media Fact Sheet). They communicate with followers and advertise their shows on social media. This also built the kind of connection that keeps people watching and sharing.

How do they do it?

Every social media platform, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter), has a distinct function for Netflix. They post images and brief videos that appear polished and cinematic on Instagram. They are funnier and more eye catchingon TikTok, where they share memes and popular sound edits that give their posts a genuine, intimate vibe. Their enormous reach is demonstrated by their over 50 million TikTok and 38 million Instagram followers,and YouTube sits at over 10 million subscribers. They also keep audiences up to date by posting New season dates and snippets/ trailers of everyone's favorite shows.

What I like about Netflix’s social media is that it doesn’t feel like a bunch of boring ads. It’s fun. It feels like a friend who’s just as obsessed with shows as you are. They interact with fans, reply to memes, and even make fun of themselves sometimes. That’s what makes people want to follow and engage with them.

According to some of our other readings, such as The Privacy Project or How Misinformation on Social Media Has Changed News, Netflix appears to be aware of the downsides of social media. They maintain their emphasis on entertainment and community while avoiding political controversy and spreading false content. In a time when false information can quickly damage a company's reputation, this helps them maintain trust and avoid conflict.

Netflix's ability to adjust to the social media trends of 2025 is what sets them apart. Short-form video increases attention spans, according to one of the 14 Important Social Media Trends for 2025. Netflix is all over that with their TikTok and Reels strategy. Additionally, they maintain the concept of "community over content," in which fans actively engage rather than merely watch. Fans produce edits, opinions, and jokes in response to the premiere of shows like Wednesday or Stranger Things, which Netflix then reposts or comments on. This back-and-forth is appropriate for what the readings refer to as "producers," as people who create and consume content. Content creators also help with this by posting personal ratings to different shows which persuades their audiences to Go watch and so forth. 

The human feel of Netflix's website is another factor contributing to its success. Because of their humorous posts, relevant captions, and even fan reactions, the brand comes off as a friend rather than a business. The reading How Social Media Shapes Our Identity claims that social media platforms are where people and brands create their identities. Netflix has created an identity that is enjoyable, welcoming, and ingrained in online culture.

The impact ..

The fact that Netflix genuinely promotes connections between people is another aspect of the service that I truly enjoy. Netflix makes watching TV a social one, whether it's families watching a new film together, friends binge-watching a show at the same time,  a couple Netflix and chilling or fans worldwide posting their reactions online. People immediately leap into comment sections, post jokes, or join live discussions when anything happens on social media, which strengthens that connection even more. The fact that a single show, such as Money Heist or Squid Game, can have everyone talking at once, regardless of where they are, is kind of cool. It makes me think of the findings from Social Media Usage & Growth Statistics, which demonstrated how online communities are facilitated by common interests.

 My Conclusion + Recommendations

All things taken into account I believe Netflix is among the greatest illustrations of a business using social media effectively. Their ability to stay up to date with trends, interact with fans promptly, and maintain consistency are their strong points. They should provide more localized material for audiences throughout the world, and some of their posts seem unnecessary across platforms. While there is a chance to increase audience engagement through artist collaborations, there are also risks, such as shifting algorithms and competition from other streaming services.The manner in which Netflix incorporates its fans allows people to  spend more time online because they desire engagement rather than just information, as the Social Media Usage & Growth Statistics report demonstrates. That contact is provided by Netflix through conversation, humor, and a sense of shared joy.  

 My only recommendations are that they remove the 1 household thing on the account cause that can get annoying.  

Then also to make more localized content  posts that match the humor or trends of each country instead of using the same ones everywhere.other than that I think they do a great job of making their brand into a community. 

Sources 

Pew Research Center. Social Media Fact Sheet.
Statista (2025). Netflix follower counts across social platforms.
The Verge (2024). From Streaming to Meme-ing: How Netflix Reinvented Social Media Marketing.
Wired (2023). TikTok’s Role in Changing Entertainment Marketing.
14 Important Social Media Trends 2025.
The New York Times — The Privacy Project.
How Social Media Shapes Our Identity.
Netflix official pages: Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube