Project criteria:

• Quotes and information correctly referenced

• Formal language with high level vocabulary, correctly pronounced

• Minimum 2 slides / group member

• Chosen topic stated clearly on the front page

1. Corporate Messaging vs. Reality

Apple’s public image is carefully curated through marketing and PR, but independent reporting sometimes reveals contradictions.

What to Analyze:

• • How Apple presents itself in official statements, keynote speeches, and press releases.
    
    

  • How investigative journalism (e.g., The Guardian, Wired, Bloomberg) contrasts with Apple’s messaging.
    
    

  • The role of CEO Tim Cook as the face of Apple—how his rhetoric differs from Steve Jobs'.
    
    

Example Sources:

• • Apple’s press releases and product launch keynotes.
    
    

  • Articles from The Verge or TechCrunch analyzing Apple's business strategies.
    
    

  • Reports on labor practices from The New York Times or The Washington Post.

2. Ethical Debates: Labor & Supply Chain

Apple’s supply chain has been scrutinized for labor violations, including allegations of sweatshop conditions and child labor.

What to Analyze:

• • Apple’s statements on ethical sourcing vs. real-world reports on supplier factories (e.g., Foxconn).
    
    

  • How news outlets and labor organizations portray Apple’s responsibility.
    
    

  • Changes over time—has Apple improved its practices, or are problems ongoing?
    
    

Example Sources:

• • Apple’s Supplier Responsibility Reports (available on their website).
    
    

  • Investigative reports from BBC, The Guardian, or Reuters on working conditions in Apple’s supply chain.
    
    

  • Reports from human rights groups like Amnesty International.

3. Greenwashing? Apple and Sustainability

Apple claims to be a leader in sustainability, but there is debate over whether this is just marketing.

What to Analyze:

• • Apple’s sustainability commitments (e.g., carbon-neutral production, removing chargers from iPhone boxes).
    
    

  • Criticism of Apple’s repair restrictions (Right to Repair movement) vs. their recycling programs.
    
    

  • How Apple’s environmental claims are perceived by journalists and watchdogs.
    
    

Example Sources:

• • Apple’s Environmental Progress Reports.
    
    

  • Articles from Wired, Bloomberg, or environmental organizations like Greenpeace.
    
    

  • Right to Repair advocacy groups and their critiques of Apple.

4. Consumerism & Brand Loyalty

Apple has cultivated a near-fanatical customer base, which affects both media coverage and consumer behavior.

What to Analyze:

• • How Apple’s advertising creates emotional connections (e.g., nostalgia, exclusivity).
    
    

  • The psychology of brand loyalty—why do some people buy every new iPhone, even with minimal upgrades?
    
    

  • The role of media in reinforcing Apple’s prestige—how do tech reviewers write about Apple compared to competitors?
    
    

Example Sources:

• • Apple’s advertisements and marketing campaigns.
    
    

  • Consumer behavior studies on brand loyalty (e.g., Harvard Business Review).
    
    

  • YouTube reviews of Apple products—do tech influencers hype Apple differently than other brands?

5. Privacy & Data Ethics

Apple markets itself as a champion of privacy, but some argue it selectively applies this principle.

What to Analyze:

• • Apple’s public stance on privacy (e.g., resisting FBI demands to unlock iPhones).
    
    

  • Controversies like Apple scanning iCloud photos for illegal content—how do different media outlets report on this?
    
    

  • How Apple’s approach compares to competitors like Google and Facebook.
    
    

Example Sources:

• • Apple’s privacy-focused ad campaigns and statements.
    
    

  • Articles from Wired, The New York Times, or cybersecurity experts on Apple’s data policies.
    
    

  • Government and legal documents related to Apple’s privacy battles.