(3.2) Ownership And Control - Traditional Marxism

Question 1

What is the view on traditional Marxists on media control

Answer 1

-those who own the media also control it
-media is owned by bourgeoisie
-argue owners instruct editions on what to put in the newspapers

Question 2

Define dominant ideology

Answer 2

-seeks to justify the power and privilege of bourgeoisie by making their views seem normal through the ideological state apparatus(Althusser)

Question 3

Miliband - newspapers justify beliefs of bourgeoisie

Answer 3

-media decides what they want to promote on their papers and this shows what is seen as ‘reasonable’ or ‘unreasonable’ ways of thinking or behaving

Question 4

Define the instrumentalist/manipulative approach

Answer 4

-journalists and editors have to self censor to fit moguls views which may ignore their own beliefs as they may oppose the dominant class

Question 5

AO3 - Curran and seaton - support from 20th century press barons

Answer 5

-20th century press barons open about propaganda and supporting conservatives which shows they supported the views of the wealthy
-Curran and seaton claim that media owners did interfere and manipulate content at the expense of their editors and journalist independence

Question 6

AO3 - criticism from Neo Marxists on traditional Marxist view

Answer 6

-wealthy owners of media don’t have time to micro manage
-this means the real control is down to editors

Question 7

AO3 - criticism from pluralists on traditional Marxists view

Answer 7

-media moguls are dealing with global matters and now which story to run
-media is there to sell and will put whatever will sell rather than dominant ideology
-owners will only intervene to ensure good sales figure