Deck 2: Role of the Media 1

Question 1

What are the 5 key roles of the media?

Answer 1

Entertain
Inform
Education
Promote
Make Profit

Question 2

What audience needs are fulfilled by media for ENTERTAINMENT?

Answer 2

Audiences get a sense of shared values, interests and community. Entertainment fulfils a PSYCHOLOGICAL need.

Question 3

Are the PURPOSE of a piece of media and it’s ROLE in society the same thing?

Answer 3

NO.
Often a piece of media is made for a particular purpose, but it’s role can be very different due to how it is used by the audience.
e.g. The Mona Lisa was painted for payment/profit (purpose) but audiences now use it for entertainment.

Question 4

What is ‘active’ consumption of a piece of media?

Answer 4

When the audience interact with a text and as a result question it (look for ways to verify it’s authenticity or credibility).

Question 5

Which role of the media do newspapers and magazines generally fulfil?

Answer 5

Educate
Inform
Entertain
Make Profit
Promote

Question 6

What is ‘passive’ consumption of a media text?

Answer 6

When audiences blindly accept what is put before them as credible/trustworthy and do not question it.

Question 7

The role of EDUCATION in a piece of media aims to give the audience………(?)

Answer 7

• Intellectual, moral or social instruction
• Training in a particular subject

(e.g. Public Service announcements such as Covid ads, Educational tv such as Sesame street)

Question 8

To fulfil the role of INFORM in media studies, a media text should…

Answer 8

• To provide facts
• To provide information
• Should take a neutral stand-point
  (e. g. newspapers, TV/Radio news)

Question 9

Which kinds of media text are often used to PROMOTE and MAKE PROFIT?

Answer 9

• advertisements/commercials
• advertising campaigns (either a series, or for a specific intense period)
• magazine articles
• radio
• infomercials

Question 10

What is a PSA

Answer 10

A public service announcement
*often documentaries are included in this bracket

(can you think of an example you have studied?)

Question 11

Name 5 CODES you could discuss, which may be used in a media text to fulfil the 5 key roles of the media?

Answer 11

Any of the following: 
Use of camera
Acting
Setting
Mise-en-scene
Editing
Lighting
Sound
Special Effects
Typography
Colour
Visual Composition
Text and Graphics
Narrative

Question 12

What types of influences do we find in Role of the Media?

Answer 12

• Intentional
• Unintentional
• Social and Cultural

Question 13

Which 2 roles of the media involve particular companies or organisations aiming to benefit?

Answer 13

• Promote

- Make profit

Question 14

What is the term used for the creation of products using a recognisable theme/character to PROMOTE/PROFIT?

Answer 14

Merchandising

e.g. Harry Potter Lego, meercat plushes from comparethemarket.com

Question 15

What are the CONVENTIONS of media texts used to EDUCATE?

Answer 15

• Use of presenters/experts (someone trustworthy)
• Use of demonstrations (practical)
• Humour/Fun (e.g. sesame street, horrible histories)
• Song (generate memorability)

Question 16

What are the CONVENTIONS of media texts used to INFORM?

Answer 16

• Headlines
• Hosts (e.g. anchor person, news reader)
• Reporters/Correspondents
• Polls and other graphic information
• tickertape (band of text running along screen e.g. breaking news)

Question 17

What are the CONVENTIONS of media texts used to PROMOTE/MAKE PROFIT?

Answer 17

• product placement (showing the product itself)
• celebrity endorsement
• soundtrack (memorable tracks)
• timing (advertising alongside programmes/articles which are related)
• merchandising

Question 18

What are the CONVENTIONS of media texts used to ENTERTAIN?

Answer 18

• Humour (parody, satire, surreal, physical, sarcasm)
• Aesthetics (pleasing visuals e.g. Wes Andersons use of colour)
• Celebrities
• Cameos (non-speaking, ‘surprise’ appearances by well-known actors/celebs)
• Action
• Music
• Deliberate Controversy (shock tactics)
• Characterisation e.g. cute characters in kids media

Question 19

In a series of ads continuity is key. What elements may require consistency to maintain an effective campaign?

Answer 19

• Typography
• Branding (logo)
• Mood/Message (e.g. positive, fear, responsibility, fun)
• Colour
• Style/Aesthetics
• Placement
• Timing
• Target audience appeal

Question 20

Are the roles of the media always separate?

Answer 20

No.
They are often used in combination, or there is an overlap between the roles within a given media text (e.g. ads for cleaning products often inform and promote simultaneously)

Can you think of a piece of media you have studied which both educates and promotes at the same time?