Debates in media (cultural pessimists) Flashcards
What do Curran and Seaton argue?
New media are not really that new.
Interactivity is an illusion, it is owned by the powerful corporations.
Undermines the democratic process.
Has lead to a decline of popular culture, new problems like cyberbullying, addiction, pornography, grooming.
What is conglomeration?
Business corporation that consists with diversified interests in a wide range of products and services.
What statistic does Curran use for conglomeration?
Over 3/4 of the 31 most visited news and entertainment websites are affiliated with the largest media corporations.
What do Conford and Robins argue?
Media today is a mix of old and new media.
Eg. To use a game console, a television is needed.
Interactivity isn’t new as people have written to and called newspapers for many years.
The only ‘new’ thing is its speed.
What is the Hollywood analogy?
The relationship between old and new is like a Hollywood movie and its remake.
Characters are the same.
Story is the same.
But special effects are more spectacular etc.
What does Jenkins argue?
Most new media have developed out of investment from big media corporations.
Cross media ownership started in the 1980s.
Owning different types of media made it more desirable for companies to develop across a variety of media platforms and delivery systems.
AO2 - Microsoft
The internet Microsoft software enables access to the web.
Comcast is the biggest US internet provider.
Without these companies we couldn’t log on in the first place.
AO2 - Commercialisation
Millions of people use the internet to pay bills, bank accounts etc. It makes life easier for individuals but there are also negatives to this.
Reinforcing elite power
Conford and Robins
They are sceptical that new media leads to democracy.
Corporations have greater power than individuals.
Elite power holders like the government have seen the impact of media and developed websites to ensure their view is dominant in internet connection.
What does Jenkins say about participants in media?
They are not all created equal.
What do Hill and Hughes argue?
They challenge the view that cyberspace is more likely to contain content that supports minority political views.
What stats are used to back up Hill and Hughes?
78% of political views expressed on American websites were mainstream.
Only 6% of web pages are devoted to political issues.
What are cookies?
New technologies can now monitor and process data generated by interactive media usage.
Meaning companies can segment and target people enhancing profit.
Why do Marxists critique cookies?
Encourages material, consumerism and false needs.
Furthering capitalism denomination and control.
Decline in popular culture
Increased choice has lead to a decline in popular culture.
What does Harvey say about popular culture?
Digital TV dramatically increased number of channels, this has lead to a dumbing down of popular culture.
What is candy floss culture?
TV speaks to everyone in general no one in particular.
