Chapter 1 Flashcards
Media Environment in the 21st Century
Devices we use daily
Phones, tablets, TVs, radios, etc.
Media Environment in the 21st Century
What we do with media
Share, like, comment, post (active participation).
Media’s role in big events
Media’s role in big events
Example: COVID-19 (increased online activity).
Big Media Questions
How does media affect communication?
- Faster info-sharing.
- Easier access to different ideas.
- Less face-to-face communication.
Big Media Questions
Traditional media (TV, radio)
- Still trusted during crises.
- Useful for certain groups.
Power in Media
Big companies like Google/Facebook can…
- Decide what we see (algorithms).
- Earn money from creators’ content.
Power in Media
Social inequality
Low-income groups may struggle to access technology.
Media & Society
Journalism and politics can cause…
- Faster online news coverage.
- Online sources to be bias
Media & Society
Globalization’s impact
Media connects people worldwide.
Media Statistics
Media use in the U.S. by the numbers
- 91% listen to radio weekly.
- 81% use smartphones.
- Over 12 hours/day spent on media.
Media Statistics
Shift to modern tech comes from…
More streaming, fewer landlines.
Models of Communication
Interpersonal vs. Mass Communication
- Interpersonal = 1-on-1 (phone calls).
- Mass = 1-to-many (TV, radio).
- Internet blurs these lines; we can create and share content.
Structure and Agency
Structure means…
limited actions
ex: school rules
Agency means…
Personal choice
Example: Choosing what media to use.
Case Studies
Civil Rights Movement (1950s-60s)
- Media (TV, newspapers) showed racial injustice.
- Helped raise awareness and gain support.
Case Studies
Black Lives Matter (2010s)
- Started as a hashtag on social media.
- Activists shared videos and updates online.
Why Media Matters
Why Media Matters
- Media affects daily life, decisions, and society.
- Understanding media = Understanding the world better.
Media Model
A structure that shows how media elements—industry, users, content, and technology—fit into society.
Interpersonal Communication
Direct communication between two known individuals.
Mass Communication
Broadcasting a message to a large, unknown audience.
Structure and Agency
The balance between social constraints (structure) and individual choices (agency) in media.
Social Construction of Reality
How people create meaning from media and shape their understanding of the world.
Civil Rights Movement
A 20th-century push to end racial discrimination against African Americans in the U.S.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement
A movement started in the 2010s to fight systemic racism and violence towards Black people.
Push-Pull Dynamics
The interplay between media influences and societal forces.
Media Saturation
A state where media is deeply embedded in daily life, becoming a norm.
Digital Age
An era defined by the rise of digital tech, changing how media is used and understood.
