Marxism In The Media 📲

Question 1

How do Marxists see the media?

Answer 1

They see it as the superstructure of society

It supports the base (controlled by the bourgeoisie) so helps the ruling class

Question 2

Marxists believe the media: (3 things)

Answer 2

1) is used to ideologically control us

2) spreads capitalism and ruling class ideology

3) partially occurs through digital media surveillance

Question 3

How does the media help its rulers (3 things)

Answer 3

1) puts across ruling class ideas

2) makes them look fair to hide inequality

3) creates false class consciousness which stops the lower classes challenging inequality

Question 4

Cornford+ Robins (1999)

Answer 4

Digital media is owned by capitalists who want to make money and control the ideology of the messes

Media= power as it shapes the ideas of the population

Question 5

Milliband (1969)

Answer 5

The media makes capitalism seem inevitable

“New opium of the people”= like a drug which controls people

Question 6

Castells (2000)

Answer 6

Network society argues we are now a society defined by information rather than industry, although still capitalist

Power now rests in networks

Question 7

Hall (1981) - neo Marxist

Answer 7

The media stereotypes black people:

1) the native
2) the clown or entertainer
3) the slave

Unconscious racism- black people are portrayed as the source of trouble