Comm103 Flashcards
Describe one of the media stories presented during the first day of class. What were the media’s role in that event? What were the media lessons of that story?
In the 2016 Presidential Election, the media was used as a source of information for voters. Many voters still got their information from cable TV but, in our generation social media is advancing. Throughout the election, many memes were spread on social media to not only cause laughter but also to help convey voters of who they should vote for. The lessons from this media story was that there was a lot of trust lost in the media, media is two dimensional and subjective, and the media fails for fact-check.
Explain what the First Amendment is about. What was its original rationale (why was it first established)? Why is it important to media studies?
The First Amendment gives citizens of the United States the right to freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or of the press, the right of people to assemble peacefully and the right to petition the government. The First Amendment was established to provide free exchange of ideas to create functional a democracy. The First Amendment is the only time in the constitution that we see protection of an industry, freedom of speech, or of the press. This is important because without this amendment in place our society would be limited as to what can be published in our media.
Compare the traditional notion of the public sphere with the modern notion of it. What is it and how has it changed? Why are media studies scholars concerned with the public sphere
The public sphere is the idea of a public rational-critical debate. Our democracy is founded upon by the public sphere and media has become our public sphere. The public sphere says that in a democratic society, we should always work on creating the most favorable communication situation possible. Therefore, if we do not have an open communication system, we do not have a functioning society. Since the media is protected by the first amendment, which is a special privilege, it also has a public responsibility to sustain democratic communication.
What is the functional approach to studying media? Identify and define the two levels of analysis within this approach.
The functional approach to studying media is how people use media. The two levels of analysis within this approach is microanalysis and microanalysis. Microanalysis is what functions the media provides for an individual. Macroanalysis is what functions the media provides for a society as a whole
Explain the critical/cultural approach to studying media and culture. In your answer, describe the development of the schools of thought in this approach.
The critical/cultural approach to studying media and culture is a qualitative or humanistic approach and it describes how people use media. This concept began at the Frankfurt school in the 1930s and 1940s, this was a group committed to ideas of Karl Marx. Karl Marx believed that the rich and powerful greatly influence the masses’ thoughts, beliefs and ideas. He believed that capitalism has come to rule our society and shapes everything. The Birmingham School in the 1950s and 1960s said that the masses/audiences can create their own meanings.
Define the term gatekeepers in media. In your definition, be sure to include what they provide for audiences. Offer two examples of gatekeepers in media and why they fit the definition.
Gatekeepers are a person (or group) that has control over what material eventually reaches the public. They scan for copyright material, porn, offensive language, illegal content, monitor sites, editors, and advertisers. One example of a gatekeeper would be a person who controls what videos go up on YouTube. Therefore, their role would be to scan the video for offensive content or copy written material and decide whether the video would be posted. Another example would be someone who scans comments on newspaper websites and removes the offensive posts.
Define hegemony. Offer an example of hegemony in the media and clearly explain why it fits as hegemony.
Hegemony is the process of dominance and consent that we the masses are persuaded to agree with the dominant and their ideas appear normal and natural. An example of hegemony is the stereotype that in order to be beautiful you need to have flawless skin and be thin. The media portrays a beautiful woman with these ideas in mind by the modeling industry mainly hiring thin models for campaign ads. This example is hegemony because we the masses are persuaded to believe that women have to achieve this certain body type in order to be beautiful. The dominant culture has put out this idea to the masses and it is what is known as normal and natural.
What were the main cultural impacts of the telegraph?
There were many cultural impacts of the telegraph. The telegraph was the first device that made communication possible for long distances. The telegraph changed the way people viewed distance, “there was here”. In 1950 almost every city was linked by 1986 they connected a cable between America and Europe. The telegraph helped trains bring in settlers to the frontier and played a role in the country’s western expansion. The telegraph had an impact on commerce, it sped up communication between buyers and sellers. It also reported transactions and organized delivers. The telegraph also enhanced newspapers’ ability to transmit news, the style of reporting was changed and news stories became shorter.
Explain the digital divide concept. How have Native Americans been disproportionately affected by the digital divide?
The digital divide concept is a gap between the people who have access to modern information and communications technology and those who do not. These forms of technology can include cell phones, internet access, laptops, television, and phone lines. The Native Americans have been disproportionately affected by the digital divide because they live on reservations that do not have the money to build these types of resources. Due to the poverty, Native Americans experience, there is not enough money to build these resources on the reservation. Native Americans must travel far out of the reservation in order to reach cell service or internet access
How do mobile media serve some of the traditional media functions (as described in Chapter 2)? Identify and explain at least three functions.
One function mobile media serves as is surveillance. Radio and TV stations have been providing traffic reports for decades, but now subscribers to a company called Traffic411 can hear the latest information tailor-made to their commute on their cell phone. Another function is entertainment Comcast offers Xfinity which is a downloadable application for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Many other companies have made applications that are downloadable in Apple’s app store. There is also a huge selection of games one can download for themselves or their children. The third function is linkage, one can be connected to their friends and family all through the use of a cell phone. If one is late to an event one can call or send a text message letting the person know they are going to be late. Parents can also track their children through their cell phones or call them right away if there is an emergency.
