Mass Media Flashcards
refers to forms of communication that reach large audiences. a central part of life in modern society. includes newspapers, magazines, books, tv, cinema, internet
mass media
reaching a large audience of thousands of perhaps millions
mass communication
the changing technology of communication e.g the printing press and television
technological change
web based content by both amateurs and professional writers. individuals contribute their own content that reflects their own experiences, interests and prejudices
blog
influencing social attitudes and government policy
agency of social change
an alternative reality based on the individual’s experience of the mass media - particularly tv and internet. some people appear to be unable to distinguish between the virtual world and the everyday world
hyperreality
lacking connection with the social world. those who experience this feeling may place great value on what they see on television
alienated/alienation
a virtual world that becomes more important to the individual than their day to day lived experience
culture of simulation
a virtual community that enables members to establish a user profile and communicate and share images and information
social networking site
theories about the mass media that sees variety and competition as healthy signs of a working democracy
pluralism
a small dominate group that may own and control the mass media. the ruling class
elite
a general view of the way society works
world view
a political approach based on the belief that governments should limit their activity to maintaining law and order. in particular, governments should not interfere with market forces in the economy
neo-liberalism
the selection and control of information, usually for political ends
propaganda
preventing certain information from becoming public knowledge
censorship
the democratic principle that protects legitimate comment regarding the actions of the government or matters of public interest
freedom of speech
not taking a neutral view but favouring one side of an argument or debate
bias
one who has editorial control over media content
gatekeeper
managing the message to influence the way in which events are reported. often used by politicians to control the media
spin
the identity that individuals wish to present to the world eg the media image of a particular politician as young and dynamic
image
when the technologies of the media, telecommunications and computing come together in one product eg some digital television services allow us to access the internet as well as text, email, shop and bank through our tv sets
convergence
the consumer’s ability to interact with a media product eg reality tv show voting
interactivity
the lifelong process of learning the skills, customs, attitudes, norms and values of your culture. mass media is a secondary agency of this
socialisation
a simple, fixed mental image, usually unfavourable of a group generally based on the behaviour of a few individuals within that group
stereotype
the idea that information is now available almost instantly in a global marketplace
world information order
the idea that many cultural values (generally western and often american) are now shared by people across the world
global culture
the idea that western cultural values are imposed by a dominant media empire (swamping local cultures that lack the resources to match the volume of media output from companies like the US)
media imperialism
the transmission of cultural values through mass media of communication eg television
mass culture
the process by which we acquire our political values, beliefs and preferences. the media are often our main source of information about politicians and current affairs
political socialisation
the idea that the television replaced the fireplaces as the focus of the living room
substitute hearth
simple media image based on prejudice
media stereotype
long periods of exposure to particular media messages
cumulative effect
publication aimed at a young male readership often containing images of women as sex objects
lads’ magazine
patterns of behaviour that are based on society’s norms and expectations eg masculinity and femininity
social construct
generally accepted and expected patterns of behaviour in a particular society
norms and expectations
the dominant political and social values of western society eg freedom of speech, free elections
liberal democratic values
a generally expected form of social behaviour eg politeness and consideration for the needs of others
social conventions
to mark a particular social group/individual as something different, disproved of and often dangerous to others
stigmatise
when media coverage of an issue leads to exaggerated public concern
moral panic
a global system of interconnected computers
internet
large room-sized early computers that stored data using reel-to-reel magnetic tape and were programmed using cardboard slips with holes punched in them
mainframe computers
print media and electronic communications developed during the mid 20th century or earlier. includes books, newspapers, magazines, television, radio and cinema
old media
computerised communications technology including internet, mobile phones, digital radio, cable and satellite tv, dvds, video games etc
new media
the enormous volume of modern electronic communications (sometimes more than an individual can cope with)
information overload
unwanted and unasked for bulk electronic messages accounting for much of the increased volume of email traffic
SPAM
the postal equivalent of SPAM
junk mail
the selling of goods and services over telephone.
telesales
a huge corporation or company formed by the merging of different firms. media versions of these have stakes across a range of media eg newspapers, films and digital tv services. operate on a global rather than a national scale.
conglomerate
the ability of the media to focus public attention on particular topics and thereby direct public discussion and debate onto these topics. they discuss some issues and leave out others
agenda setting
the programme controllers, editors, journalists and owners who decide what to cover and how to present it
media gatekeepers
the ability of the media to present some behaviour, groups and views positively and others negatively, thereby shaping public opinion on these groups
norm referencing
media professionals’ values about what issues and personalities are considered newsworthy, topical or important.
news values
a division or gap between those who have access to new media technology and those who do not
digital divide
a group of people who try to persuade the government to adopt a particular policy or to influence public opinion on an issue
pressure group
