3.1 Marxism & Digital media

Question 1

what did Bagdikian (2014) say about media?

Answer 1

owned by a smaller and smaller number of power elite who deliberately influence content to support right wing conservative views

Question 2

who is Murdoch and how has he influenced the content of his media?

Answer 2

owns large amount of media

uses it to promote his political views - conservative support, vote leave

Question 3

in 1983 90% of US media was owned by how many companies?

Answer 3

50 companies

Question 4

in 2011 the same 90% of US media was owned by how many companies?

Answer 4

6 companies

Question 5

what did Cornford and Robbins say new media was? (1999)

Answer 5

old media in a faster package

Question 6

what do Cornford and Robbins argue media convergence gives capitalists?

Answer 6

a bigger platform to promote products, make profits, ideologically control the masses, accept capitalism, not question inequality

Question 7

from a Marxist view what do media owners want?

Answer 7

us to buy their products, accept ideology and inequality without questioning

Question 8

how does the media influence what we think?

Answer 8

uses bias
one sided stories
presents views as facts

Question 9

why do Marxists view concentration of ownership as a bad thing?

Answer 9

gives minority control over the masses and the power to promote ruling class ideology

Question 10

what is ruling class ideology?

Answer 10

set of ideas justifying the higher class way of life and inequality

Question 11

give examples of how new media is just old media in a faster package (cornford & robbins)

Answer 11

tv - on demand
newspaper - news sites and apps
radio - internet radio

Question 12

how can Marxists be criticised? (what does social media allow us to do?)

Answer 12

people have freedom to respond and share their views

previously the content was created by those with ownership but now we create the content

Question 13

what did Edward Snowden do?

Answer 13

revealed the widespread surveillance carried out by British and US governments accessing personal files claiming it was in the interest of national security

Question 14

what do Marxists believe globalisation is resulting in the spread of?

Answer 14

western capitalist ideas

Question 15

how can Marxists be criticised - what has globalisation resulted in class becoming?

Answer 15

just one part of identity

other factors shape our identity

Question 16

what do Marxists believe new forms of communication reflect the ideas of?

Answer 16

the owners of the media and companies who represent the ruling class

Question 17

how can Marxists be criticised - what do new forms of digital communication allow people to do to the ruling class?

Answer 17

challenge them through more interactive participation in public issues and the news

Question 18

Marxists believe new forms of communication encourage passive acceptance of what?

Answer 18

capitalism

Question 19

how can Marxists be criticised - how are we not passive acceptants?

Answer 19

digital forms of communication have led to social protest - challenging inequality

Question 20

what did Garside say about the amount of time adults spend on media?

Answer 20

adults spend an excessive amount of time on digital media - 8 hours and 41 minutes a day
this keeps us entertained and stops us thinking about the world