Society s Outlook On Plastic Surgery - 963 Words

If you could change something about yourself would you? Nowadays the advancement in medicine allows us to enhance or transform any part of our body that is not appealing to us. Perhaps getting rid of some of that extra fat or getting larger breast will help self-esteem issues but should there be an age limit to when one can change or â€Å"enhance† their body? Society s outlook on plastic surgery has changed throughout the years; it has become something so common that it is no longer looked down upon on. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons â€Å"15.6 million cosmetic procedures, including both minimally-invasive and surgical, were performed in the United States in 2014, an increase of 3 percent since 2013.† and the rates continue to expand as the years go by. There are so many more surgical procedures that can be done compared to when plastic surgeries began back in 1895. We have come a long way and society now more than ever puts a tremendous amount o f pressure on adolescents to be perfect. Teenagers have become so obsessed with what they see on T.V they are no longer content with their image and turn to cosmetic surgery to make them feel like they belong. Allowing any teenager to have plastic surgery is obnoxious unless there is a medical reason behind the procedure such an â€Å"enhancement† should not be done with or without parental consent. As the author of Teen Plastic Surgery: Ethical or not? Defines the teenage years as â€Å" a period of physiological and mentalShow MoreRelatedPros And Cons Of Getting Surgery1425 Words   |  6 PagesIn today s society teenagers are striving to become as perfect as they can be when it comes to their physical appearance.It is more clear to see what the â€Å"perfect† body is supposed to look like, we see it every where, on billboards, T.V, and in magazines. What none of us really realize is what it’s doing to the minds of teens. It just seems normal to have a speci fic view on what we think teens should look like and that is where plastic surgery comes into play, but teens need to wait on having plasticRead MoreCosmetic Surgery1507 Words   |  7 PagesShould cosmetic surgery be encouraged to the general public? Cosmetic surgery is defined as â€Å"any medical operation which is intended to improve a person’s appearance rather than their health† (Cambridge Dictionary, 2003, p.275). By definition, cosmetic surgery is a common practice used to modify the physical outlook of people, especially for women. This is definitely a luxury, which is not necessary to the public. Starting from the 20th century, however, cosmetic surgery is no longer a luxuryRead MoreThe Media And Its Effects On Young Girls And Women1673 Words   |  7 Pagesphotoshopped to make it seem as her body is perfect, or she had plastic surgery to fit the idea of having the perfect body. The fact that the media thinks they’re encouraging young girls and women to embrace their beauty, they’re influencing them that they have to have a perfect body in order to get attention. The media has put a lot of pressure on young girls and women to look perfect and second guess their bodies, when plastic surgery is never the answer to build their self-esteem up. The mediaRead MoreRelationship Between Society And Ones Own Personhood1583 Words   |  7 Pagesdescribes the ways our relationships with both our body and society influence our personhood. Along with Brison, ethicist J. S. Swindell’s piece, â€Å"Facial Allograft Transplantation, Personal Identity, and Subjectivity,† describes the effect facial allograft surgeries have on the recipients. In this paper, I will examine the relationship between society and one’s own personhood, and argue that it is important to realize how both society and the mind’s relationship with the body influences one’s self-perceptionsRead MoreCultural Symbolism Of Tattoos1134 Words   |  5 Pagestrend found throughout history, religion, and art. Before the mid 1960’s, tattoos were viewed as self-infliction and are deemed simply as unnecessary. During the 1940’s, tattoos began to be a much more common, especially among military men due to the fact the WWII happened during the forty’s. They were essential, because obtaining these tattoos was a way to show off their pride for their country. Most of these 1940’s style tattoos were: eagles, the American flag, and other strong American symbolsRead MoreThe Lesbians, Bisexual, Transgender, and Gay Community and the Age of Conservatism1859 Words   |  7 Pagesstraight to the LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people. While growing amount of sex change surgeries are performed, its public judgement reached extremity due to the disagreement between those, who think it shouldn’t be regulated by the state and advertising these operation doesn’t violate the individual’s liberty and the others, who state its oppos ite. From the 1980’s has been a lot of organizations and â€Å"Pride parades† advertising the lifestyle being â€Å"other†, however, the codificationRead MoreCrtical thinking in Gerontonlogy, the Field of Aging Essay656 Words   |  3 Pagesdiscriminatory social practices that soon follow after an individual reaches a certain age in life. There are numerous assumptions made about those who are no longer considered young, and society discriminates and take advantage of them, to further its own gain. A large portion of the debate began back in the 1980’s from both the conservatives and the liberals about the challenge of ageism and that the aging population is taking away to many resources that are needed for the younger generationsRead More Barbie Essays1716 Words   |  7 Pagesoften been an indicator of the way a society behaves, and how they interact with their children. For example, in ancient Greece, artifacts recovered there testify that children were simply not given toys to play with as in the modern world. The cruel ritual of leaving a sick child on a hillside for dead, seems to indicate a lack of attention to the young (Lord 16). The same is true of today’s society. As you can see with the number of toy stores in our society, we find toys of great value to ourRead MoreWhat Are Cosmetic Surgery?1881 Words   |  8 PagesOn the other hand, cosmetic surgery can help certain individuals look younger, so they can have more opportunities throughout th eir lives. Those who believe they do not meet the standards of beauty can many times risk job discrimination and have mediocre relationships (Griswold and Driscoll 2). Procedures will help those whose income depends on keeping a specific look (Hilton 44). Some careers depend on physical appearance in order to make a living (Beggan). In certain workplaces, meeting beautyRead MoreA Brief Note On The Fashion Industry And Films1615 Words   |  7 PagesCosmetology Essay Before the first century, beauty has been a big part of society, enhancing or modifying certain features has been a part of what is considered beautiful. A strong point I have in this business is make-up. My main goal is to do editorial work for the fashion industry and films. With taking the humans simple form and enhancing the person’s appearance using cosmetics, with the help of cosmetologist to create effects and characters (â€Å"Makeup Artist Job Description†). People may think

Ethics Ethics And Behavior - 1585 Words

Ethics is a critical issue in today’s workplace. If employers and employees do not consistently follow high standards of conduct, companies cannot prosper. Workplace ethics and behavior are a crucial part of employment, as both are aspects that can assist a company in its efforts to be profitable. In fact, ethics and behavior are just as important to most companies as performance as high morale and team work are two ingredients for success. Every business in every industry has certain guidelines to which its employees must adhere. Effective and appropriate workplace ethics-principles and practices that define the duties, obligations and, by implication, the rights of an organization’s members-builds on the individual and collective values found in society. Any workplace ethical standards sharply at variance with those privately or publicly embraced by its members are likely to be protested, resisted or at least questioned by them. All companies specify what acceptable b ehavior is, and what is not when hiring an employee. Many even summarize expected conduct in job descriptions or during the interview process. Behavior guidelines typically address topics, such as harassment, work attire and language. Workers who do not follow codes of conduct may receive written and verbal warnings, and ultimately be fired. The behaviors that a company wishes to instill in managing workplace ethics will primarily be determined by the organizational culture and priorities that guideShow MoreRelatedThe Ethics Of Ethical Behavior1491 Words   |  6 Pages Ethics can be described as the ideals and principles considered by individuals when determining acceptable behavior. Many individuals take into account socially established normalities and expectations when examining their own behavior. However, I find my ideals to be tied to Jean Paul Sartre’s existential views which assert that ethical behavior should be rooted in one’s personal ration ­alizations and a person’s actions should reflect free agency. Existentialism is a theory that stresses choiceRead MoreThe Ethics Of Unethical Behavior1626 Words   |  7 PagesA man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world, Albert Camus. Police hold a unique position in our society. They are entrusted to protect and serve the people. Their position is also unique in that it easily can lead to corruption and violence when unethical behavior is allowed. In our current culture, unethical police culture to easily seems to become the norm. Minor unethical actions seem to be ever present and larger problems have shown to become rampant in some departments. SolutionsRead MoreThe Ethics Of Organizational Behavior Essay1381 Words   |  6 Pagesestablished a code of ethics that is designed to create a culture that fosters the development, passion, and knowledge of its employees. Our team has broken down the organization into major topics of organizational behavior, created questi ons pertaining to the topic, and interviewed Mr. Zammitti. A major topic regarding organizational behavior focuses on the ethical values the company works to institute and how those values aim to establish an environment supportive of positive behavior and little mitigationRead MoreEthics : Ethical And Unethical Behavior Essay1183 Words   |  5 PagesWebster Dictionary ethics are â€Å"rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad; an area of study that deals with ideas about what is good and bad behavior: a branch of philosophy dealing with what is morally right or wrong†. There is more to ethics than the simple definition. To understand ethics one must define what is ethical and unethical behavior in the workplace and it importance, prescriptive approaches, psychological approaches, whistle-blowers, and ethics as organizationalRead MoreEthics : Ethical And Unethical Behavior869 Words   |  4 PagesWhat is ethics? What are some of the issues of ethics that occur in social research? How important is ethics i n research? Ethics or moral philosophy involves, arranging, defending, and endorsing concepts of right and wrong conduct in society. The term ethics, according to Henry Sidgwick, derives from three great ethical philosophers of ancient Greece, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Conducting social research, without proper use knowledge pertaining to the code of conduct is violating human rightsRead MoreThe Medical Code Of Ethics And Behavior Essay1237 Words   |  5 Pagesto a patient and follow the rules of morality is an inevitable part of this occupation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine contribution which can be done to the work of a dental assistants by describing the medical code of ethics and behavior and on their basis establish the personal contribution to the profession. Medical activity is regarded to be one of the difficult professions. The person who has devoted oneself to medicine, of course, should possess a vocation to it. TheRead MoreEthical Dilemm Ethics And Behavior Essay1578 Words   |  7 PagesDilemma’s in The Work Place Companies place a high amount of importance on the ethics and behavior in the workplace. Most companies specify behavior requirements when hiring employees and provide guidelines of appropriate conduct pertaining to internal policies. When it comes to moral behavior in the workplace there is always a chance of making a decision for personal gain over ethical integrity. A key component to workplace ethics is integrity, honesty and doing the right thing at all times. In this caseRead MoreEffective Ethics and Ethical Behavior1468 Words   |  6 PagesEffective ethics and ethical behavior Memorandum and Report Carol Harris TO: Rebecca M. Melton, ABC Toy Co. CEO FROM: Carol Harris, Elementary Division Manager, ABC Toy Co. DATE: 6/5/11 SUBJECT: Product quality issue and a report on ethical decision making. This memo addresses a product quality issue with a whistle included in our toy collection. I have included a report on the importance of ethical decisionRead MoreEthics Of Employees And Unethical Behavior975 Words   |  4 PagesEthics of employees are a large part of their daily life. Ethics within employees can cause an employee to be an asset to an organization, or the lack of ethics can cause an employee to be a discredit to themselves and the organization. Unethical behavior can stem from a variety of sources according to HR.BLR.COM (2011) and the situation that the employee could face can dictate which path they take in making decisions. Certain conditions can cause an employee to act unethically. Addressing unethicalRead MoreEthical Ethics And Ethical Behavior Essay2251 Words   |  10 Pagesunethical and unmoral acts of behavior, it is imperative that leaders fully comprehend the ramifications related to their unethical behavior. Furthermore, an ethical virtue demonstrated by a leader paves the foundation for their followers to behave with the sa me ethical behavior established within the organization thus establishing a followers’ commitment to their constitution. Additionally, the rise in corporate ethical scandals today representing the unethical behavior and, raising awareness relevant

Audit Syariah Free Essays

Tiffy Tiffeny Edmund 62288211087 Audit 1 Audit Syariah Definition Audit is a process to investigate and verify an account, while Syariah is the rule of Islam (Hukum Islam). Therefore, Audit Syariah is the process to analyse, check, investigate and to make sure the operation and the management of Islamic Financial Institution (IFI) is accordance to the principal and the Syariah’s guidelines, mainly for the production of a product. Syarikah al-Rajhi al-Masrafiyyah LiL Istismar has define the Audit Syariah as â€Å"parties to determine the extent of Syariah compliant IFI based on decision made by the Syariah Advisory Council (SAC)† Objectives * Is there any specific mechanism to ensure the implement decision of SAC based on the Muamalat Islam? * How the implement of contracts, requirements, and operation being monitored by the IFI? The importance of Syariah compliance is to mitigate the operational risk of IFI and to strengthen the internal control of Islamic Banking system. We will write a custom essay sample on Audit Syariah or any similar topic only for you Order Now Operation risks arise out because of failure in internal controls relating to processed, people, systems, or external event. The syariah non-compliance significant with this risk, which may result in voiding of contracts, loss of income, withdrawals, diminishes reputation and reduction in business. So, key challenge in managing operational risk in Islamic banking is by ensuring syariah compliance. Therefore, it is important to have syariah auditor to control activities according the Islamic rules which permissible and compliance with the principles of syariah About audit syariah The different between statutorily IFI of different countries against actual scope and scale of what constitutes syariah audit might be bias towards the actual nature and scope of syariah audit. Auditor that practices the syariah system should be understood as a model that those countries adopt probably due to certain constraint within their financial system or infrastructure. Primary scope of syariah audit is the audit of financial statement of the IFI. The audit will design to review the financial statement are drawn up according to the prevailing financial reporting disclosure standard of the country and wether the financial entries truly and accurately reflects the right and obligation arising from the various syariah contracts that the IFI enters into. If the requirement of IFIs in that country is to adopt the Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institution (AAOIFI) standards then adherence to AAOIFI standards would be construed as the syariah compliant yardstick. The next area of a scope is the operational aspects of the IFI. This largely depends on the type of business the IFI is involved in and the key business activities undertaken by the IFI. This will involve an examination of the policies and procedures of the IFI on the key business activities, product manuals, operational process, contracts and agreements of products, memorandum and articles of association of the organization and observation of reports issued by the management or syariah supervisor board and internal review unit. Third scope is the organizational structure and the people involved in executing key activities of each business area of the IFI. Audit on this scope will ensure that the organization structure is feasible to undertake the syariah compliant business activities and those they are qualified personnel in the area of ? fiqh al-muamalat to support the operations of the IFI. Islamic commercial jurisprudence or the rules of transacting in Islamic law Finally, the scope should also cover the IT application systems that are in place to support the key business activities of the IFI. An audit into this area would look into whether the functionalities and features of the application system are sufficient and adequate to support an Islamic Banking Business by the IFI. Few things should be emphasized by auditor is avoiding every sinful activities such as the elements of riba, channeling received funds in a sinful way, and transactions that pay interest to depositor or investment in interest bearing stocks. The Syariah Advisory Council of Malaysia security commission (SAC) had resolved that riba is one of the main criteria causing the security of listed company to be excluded from SAC approved list. Islamic Instrument Study Group (IISG) at its fifth meeting on 23th August 1995 resolves that securities of a company whose operations and main activities are based on riba are not halal. Second thing is risk sharing. Islamic finance requires each party to a transaction to share the risks and rewards in an equitable manner. Islamic finance also doesn’t allow and forbid exploitation regarding right, liability and organization of the transaction leaving no room for ambiguities. Islamic law in finance is quite flexible where it allows the undertaking of any form of contractual relationship as long they avoid the clearly stated the prohibitions in the quran and sunah. To ensure the audit progress runs smoothly, auditor must understand every decision maked by SAC. Auditor can ask the secretariat for help or by referring the manual of syariah, syariah checklist, syariah audit report from previous year, and so on. How to cite Audit Syariah, Essay examples

Music the ultimate mood fix Essay Example For Students

Music the ultimate mood fix Essay Invasion, had this to say, muff may have heard people say that they cannot live without music. However, when I say that it is impossible for me to live without music, I truly mean it! According to Nava, Classical and instrumental music allows me to truly immerse myself in tradition and pulls me into the vibe and mood that the song is projecting allowing me to escape the pressures of daily life, she said. Music definitely impacts my mood. Some people allow their music to dictate their mood, like listening to sad songs and then becoming sadder because of it. While for others, their mood determines their music, choosing a happy song to suit their happy mood. As for me, personally my music follows my mood, said Shone Were, a 25-year-old PR Manager. Commenting on the inherent ability of music to change moods, Useful Suzan, a 24- year-old student said, For me whenever I am stressed and rushing to complete an assignment on time, I always turn to ballads and love songs as it helps me relax and Ochs. Im addicted to music! No matter what, I always find ways to satisfy my craving. If I go too long without music I tend to get depressed, said Hafiz Gaffer, a 21 -year-old student. In line with her energetic lifestyle, Hafiz says she only listens to up-tempo Run and dance music, My music must suit my life. Im happy-go-lucky and always on the go, so my music must be the same. Going against the grain however, George Kong, a 19-year-old Engineering student said, For me personally, music has no effect on my mood. If I am happy, Im happy and if Im sad, Im sad; USIA doesnt have any impact on it. Seeking a historical perspective, we spoke to Kali Rant, a 42-year-old music teacher. Historically speaking, music has always been intrinsically connected to emotions. Many of my students have varying tastes in music but the one thing that remains the same is that music holds a deep emotional connection to them, she said. Music psychology is a recognized and very much growing field of psychology. From what I know, every human being possesses a base need to connect to something and music is one simple outlet for connection that we eave. That is why so many of us turn to music to satisfy ourselves in times of depression or frustration, said Mark Cam a psychology lecturer speaking on why Music the ultimate mood fix By sharpness Shone said, Music is the soundtrack of your life, no matter if you are feeling depressed or ecstatic, music is what we all turn to. Through these opinions it is clear that while people have different taste in music, the one thing that they all have in common is that music plays a vital part in each and every one of their lives whether they are feeling happy or sad. 2 3 4

Americas Roadside Architecture of the 1950s

Americas Roadside Architecture of the 1950s Googie and Tiki are examples of a Roadside Architecture, a type of structure that evolved as American business and the middle class expanded. Particularly after World War II, travel by car became part of the American culture, and a reactive, playful architecture developed that captured Americas imagination. Googie describes a futuristic, often flashy, Space Age building style in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. Often used for restaurants, motels, bowling alleys, and assorted roadside businesses, Googie architecture was designed to attract customers. Well-known Googie examples include the 1961 LAX Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport and the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington, which was built for the 1962 Worlds Fair. Tiki architecture is a fanciful design that incorporates Polynesian themes. The word tiki refers to large wood and stone sculptures and carvings found in the Polynesian islands. Tiki buildings are often decorated with imitation tiki and other romanticized details borrowed from the South Seas. One example of Tiki architecture is the Royal Hawaiin Estates in Palm Springs, California. Googie Features and Characteristics Reflecting high-tech space-age ideas, the Googie style grew out of the Streamline Moderne, or Art Moderne, the architecture of the 1930s. As in Streamline Moderne architecture, Googie buildings are made with glass and steel. However, Googie buildings are deliberately flashy, often with lights that would blink and point. Typical Googie details include: Flashing lights and neon signsBoomerang and palette shapesStarburst shapesAtom motifsFlying saucer shapesSharp angles and trapezoid shapesZig-zag roof lines Tiki Architecture Has Many of These Features Tikis and carved beamsLava rockImitation bamboo detailsShells and coconuts used as ornamentsReal and imitation palm treesImitation thatch roofsA-frame shapes and extremely steep peaked roofsWaterfallsFlashy signs and other Googie details Why Googie? Googie should not be confused with the Internet search engine Google. Googie has its roots in the mid-century modern architecture of southern California, an area rich with technology companies.  The Malin Residence or Chemosphere House designed by architect John Lautner in 1960 is a Los Angeles residence that bends mid-century modern stylings into Googie. This spaceship-centirc architecture was a reaction to the nuclear arms and space races after World War II. The word Googie comes from Googies, a Los Angeles coffee shop also designed by Lautner. However, Googie ideas can be found on commercial buildings in other parts of the country, most noticeably in the Doo Wop architecture of Wildwood, New Jersey. Other names for Googie include Coffee House ModernDoo WopPopuluxeSpace AgeLeisure Architecture Why Tiki? The word tiki should not be confused with tacky, although some have said that tiki is tacky! When soldiers returned to the United States after World War II, they brought home stories about life in the South Seas. The best-selling books Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl and Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener heightened interest in all things tropical. Hotels and restaurants incorporated Polynesian themes to suggest an aura of romance. Polynesian-themed, or tiki, buildings proliferated in California and then throughout the United States. The Polynesia fad, also known as Polynesian Pop, reached its height in about 1959 when Hawaii became part of the United States. By then, commercial tiki architecture had taken on a variety of flashy Googie details. Also, some mainstream architects were incorporating abstract tiki shapes into the streamlined modernist design. Roadside Architecture After President Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act in 1956, the building of the Interstate Highway System encouraged more and more Americans to spend time in their cars, traveling from state to state. The 20th century is filled with examples of roadside eye candy created to attract the mobile American to stop and buy. The Coffee Pot Restaurant from 1927 is an example of mimetic architecture. The Muffler Man seen in the opening credits is an iconic representation of roadside marketing still seen today. Googie and Tiki architecture is well-known in southern California and associated with these architects: Paul Williams, designer of thousands of mid-century modern homes in southern California, may be best known for the LAX Theme Building, shown on this page bathed in Walt Disney colored lightingJohn LautnerDonald Wexler, designer of many mid-century modern homes in Palm Springs, California, is known for designing the Royal Hawaiin Estates in the early 1960sEldon DavisMartin Stern, Jr.Wayne McAllister Sources LAX Theme Building designed by Paul Williams, Los Angeles airport photo by Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images (cropped)The Royal Hawaiian Estates, Palm Springs, California, photo  © Daniel Chavkin, courtesy Royal Hawaiian EstatesThe Malin Residence or Chemosphere House Designed by John Lautner, 1960, photo by ANDREW HOLBROOKE / Corbis Entertainment / Getty Images

The Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act Prior to the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 1966, any person seeking non-public information from a U.S. federal  government agency had to first prove they had a legal need to know in order to view related government records. James Madison would not have liked that. A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. James Madison Under the FOIA, the American people are assumed to have a right to know about their government and the government is required to prove a compelling reason in order to keep information secret. In other words, the FOIA establishes the presumption that records of the U.S. Government must be made accessible to the people. Also note that most state and local governments have adopted laws similar in intent and function to the FOIA.As soon as he took office in January 2009, President Obama issued an executive order directing the government agencies to approach FOIA requests with a presumption in favor of disclosure.The Government should not keep information confidential merely because public officials might be embarrassed by disclosure  because errors and failures might be revealed, or because of speculative or abstract fears, wrote Obama, stating that his administration would be dedicated to an unprecedented level of openness in Government.This guide is a simple explanation of how to use the FOIA to request information from the U.S. government agencies. But, please be aware that the FOIA and litigation involved with it can become extremely complex. Thousands of court decisions have been made regarding the FOIA and anyone requiring more detailed information about the FOIA should contact an attorney with experience in governmental affairs. Before Requesting Information Under the FOIA Look for it on the Internet. An incredible amount of information is now available on thousands of government websites, with volumes more being added every day. So before going to all the trouble of writing and sending an FOIA request, just log on visit the agencys website or run some searches. What Agencies are Covered by the FOIA? The FOIA applies to documents in the possession of executive branch agencies including: Cabinet agenciesMilitary branchesGovernment corporationsIndependent regulatory agenciesOther executive branch offices commissions The FOIA does NOT apply to: Any elected official of the US GovernmentOfficers of the federal Judicial Branch Private citizensPrivate companies or associationsGovernment contractors Government grant holdersState or local governments (most state and local governments have laws similar to the FOIA) While elected officials are exempt all daily actions of the United States Congress are published in the Congressional Record. In addition most state and many local governments have adopted laws similar to the FOIA What May and May Not be Requested Under the FOIA? You may, by mail, request and receive copies of any records in the possession of an agency except those covered by the following nine exemptions: Classified defense and foreign policy informationInformation prohibited from disclosure under other lawsInternal agency rules and practicesTrade secrets and confidential business practicesInter or intra-agency communications protected under lawInformation involving matters of personal privacyCertain information regarding law enforcementInformation on supervision of financial institutionsGeological information on wells In addition, especially sensitive information concerning law enforcement and national security issues may occasionally be withheld.Agencies are free to (and sometimes do) disclose information even though the records are exempted under the provisions above.Agencies may also disclose only parts of information while withholding exempted sections. Withheld sections will be blacked out and are referred to as redacted sections. How to Request FOIA Information FOIA requests must be sent by mail directly to the agency that has the records you want. There is no single government office or agency assigned to handle or route FOIA requests.While a few individual agencies currently provide for online FOIA request submittal, requests to most agencies must still be submitted via standard mail or email. Online FOIA requests to the agencies that currently accept them can be submitted on the FOIAonline.gov website. Addresses for submitting FOIA requests to all federal agencies can be found on the FOIA.gov website.Each agency has one or more official FOIA contact offices to which requests should be addressed. Larger agencies have separate FOIA offices for each bureau and some have FOIA offices in each region of the country.Contact information for the FOIA offices of just about all agencies can now be found on their website.The U.S. Government Manual is also useful for determining which agency has the records you want. It is available at most public an d university libraries and can also be searched online. What Your FOIA Request Letter Should Say FOIA information requests should be made in a letter mailed to the FOIA Officer of the agency. If you cant determine exactly which agency has what you want, send a request to each potential agency.You should also mark both the letter and the outside of the envelope, Freedom of Information Act Request to speed its handling by the agency.It is vital that you identify in the letter the information or records you want as clearly and specifically as possible. Include any facts, names, authors, dates, times, events, locations etc. you think might help the agency find your records. If you know the exact title or name of the records you want, be sure to include it.While it is not required, you can state why you want the records.Even if you think the records you want may be exempted from the FOIA or otherwise classified, you can and should still make the request. Agencies have the authority to disclose any exempted material at their discretion and are encouraged to do so. Sample FOIA Request Letter DateFreedom of Information Act RequestAgency FOIA OfficerAgency or Component NameStreet AddressDear ________:Under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. subsection 552, I am requesting access to [identify the records you want in complete detail].If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me before filling my request. [Or, Please send me the records without informing me of the cost unless the fees exceed $______, which I agree to pay.]If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available to me under the law.[Optionally: If you have any questions about this request, you may contact me by telephone at ______ (home phone) or _______ (office phone).]Sincerely,NameAddress What Does the FOIA Process Cost? There is no initial fee required to submit an FOIA request, but the law does provide for the charging of certain types of fees in some instances. For a typical requester the agency can charge for the time it takes to search for records and for duplication of those records. There is usually no charge for the first two hours of search time or for the first 100 pages of duplication. You may always include in your request letter a specific statement limiting the amount that you are willing to pay in fees. If an agency estimates that the total fees for processing your request will exceed $25, it will notify you in writing of the estimate and offer you an opportunity to narrow your request in order to reduce the fees. If you agree to pay fees for a records search, you may be required to pay such fees even if the search does not locate any releasable records. You May Request that Fees Be Waived You may request a waiver of fees. Under the FOIA, fee waivers are limited to situations in which a requester can show that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester. Requests for fee waivers from individuals who are seeking records on themselves usually do not meet this standard. In addition, a requesters inability to pay fees is not a legal basis for granting a fee waiver. How Long Does the FOIA Process Take? By law, agencies must respond to FOIA requests within 10 working days of receipt. Agencies may extend this time if necessary, but they must send written notice of the extension to the requester. What if Your FOIA Request is Denied? Sometimes, the agency simply does not have or cannot locate the requested records. But if the records are found, only the information or parts of information exempted from disclosure can be withheld. If the agency finds and withholds any or all of the information, the agency must notify the requester of the reason and inform them of the appeals process. Appeals should be sent to the agency in writing within 45 days.The websites of most federal agencies include pages fully explaining the agencys specific FOIA process instructions including contact information, records available, fees, and appeals process.

Australian national cinema is primarily government-supported, with Essay

Australian national cinema is primarily government-supported, with limited infrastructure and with a small population. Discuss k - Essay Example This inconsistency is evident from the box office results which showed that since 1995, the local box offices taken by homegrown has rarely gone beyond five percent. Ginnane (2009) suggests that the key to a successful film industry and ample percentage of the Australian box office (minimum of 10%) is the number of titles totaling to more than five million dollars box office every year. To attain this, it is fundamental for domestic filmmakers to uphold a trend of stable growth to bring about some measure of economic self sufficiency in the domestic film industry. Various issues are associated with developing, supporting and sustaining a national film industry. This essay will focus on these issues in the context of the Australian film industry. In order to develop a large scale national film production, a country needs to secure a secure domestic distribution base that has well developed exhibition circuits. Litwak (2003) suggested that the major impediment facing most filmmakers is how to secure distribution for their motion pictures. Without a secure distribution, the likelihood of a profitable return on investment in film production is nonexistent. O’Reagan (1996) argued that Australian cinema needs to interest different agents such as cinema marketers, producers and critics so as to translate the purposes and ends of the Australian films. Distributing films is one of the challenges that most filmmakers face once a film has been completed. Finding an audience locally and internationally can be resolved by a secure distribution. The objectives of the federal regulatory and financial support in Australia have always been strengthened by a cultural as well as a commercial mandate. Cones (2010) points out that in case a film successfully acquires a distributor, the producers makes every efforst to cooperate with the distributor to come up with the most favorable release pattern in all pertinent constraints. The scope of distribution progressively expands , adding theaters and cities to meet demand as the film meets is audience base. This means that a country needs to secure a domestic distribution base for developing, supporting and sustaining a national film industry. The second most important aspect in developing, supporting and sustaining a national film industry is to understand people viewing habits, the kind of movies that they want to view. The Marketing Branch of the Australian Film Commission (1999) highlighted that it did not find as much support for alternative films or specialist as it did few years ago. According to the commission, the younger generation who were used to start off being involved with those alternative films at the university level no longer frequented foreign movies any longer and they also preferred the bigger films. A survey conducted by Roy Morgan Research (2010) on Australian films, documentaries and fictional television revealed that fiction television viewership is driven by strong existing person al preferences and passive factors showing dependable repeat viewership. Most of the Australians experienced high levels of satisfaction with the Australian screen content nonetheless they did not enjoy screen content because of aspects related with badly written and unbelievable writing and also slow, boring and non entertainment across documentary formats, feature films and television fiction. O’ Reagan (1996) argued that Australian cinema- like those of other countries- is more effectively understood as a set of processes rather than as a fundamental