Media Flashcards
What is media
Various means of communication in society.

Mass media
Communication to thousands and millions of people at the same time (examples newspapers magazines radio films and television new forms include videos CDs DVDs and the Internet )
Print media + explained
Newspapers and magazines

newspapers inform and entertain they cover new sports entertainment arts business and finance
Magazines focus on special interests covering a wide range of topics example sports or gardening  
electronic media
Radio television and the Internet
Radio allows people around the world and in remote areas to hear news for more quickly than waiting for it to appear in print * faster than print
Satellite television is the main source of news information and entertainment and has made it possible for up-to-date information to travel the world in seconds we watch it as it happens
Development of the Internet meant news and other information were instantly available to people who had access to it
Propaganda
Using biased or misleading information to spread your ideas or political point of you
Freedom of expression and limitations
 everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers
This freedom does not include propaganda for war incitement for violence promotion of hatred based on race ethnicity gender or religion and that constitutes incitement to cause harm 
censorship
The control of information and ideas in a society usually by the government
Should there be limitations to freedom of expression (7)
Public has a right to know what is happening in their own country as well as the rest of the world
Media has to obey the laws of the land by not promoting violence or racial hatred and should be guided by ethical questions such as : “is this in good taste ?will it offends some people? or is this in the public interest?”
Censorship can be justified when the country is at war,The publication of certain news might help the enemy
In democratic countries public broadcasting such as radio and television is is regulated by an independent body not the government *this is good if it is done in the interest of society as a whole
radio and television may have to adhere to regulations ensure that they reflect a wide range of views and are balanced and impartial
Censorship is justified when one person’s freedom of expression affects the rights of others
The BCCSA (Broadcasting complaints commission of South Africa)* is an independent body that oversees what is broadcasted on radio and television
They accept complaints from the public about radio and television content that is against its code of conduct Broadcasting companies are free to choose whether to join BCCSA and adhere to its regulations
Who should have access to information + laws
 *promotion of access to information act- every person has the right to information held by the government or by another person if they needed this information to exercise their rights
This is a law of democratic South Africa as the previous apartheid government had suppressed information.
- protection of state information bill- This is to limit access of information of the state to the public which is meat by severe penalties such as a jail term up to 25 years for anyone publishing classified state information
Government argue certain information had to be classified in the interest of state security critics argued that it threatens democracy and media should be allowed to expose information if it is in the public interest

Classified
Information that has two been declared secret or confidential by the government
Extent to which media reporting reflects a democratic society
A democratic society is a society where people are free to have their own opinions and do as they wish as long as they are not breaking any laws every persons rights are protected and people allowed to express themselves freely
Media reporting that reflects a democratic society you should be open fair and not infringe on any persons rights it should be balanced and represent a wide variety of people in society
This can be determined by looking at the following criteria such as the topics covered the editorial position the space allocated to topics and the geographical distribution
Topics covered:  which topics are commonly covered by the media what does this say about the media
Editorial position: what is the viewpoint of the editor is the editor biased for or against a specific topic or group of people.
Space allocated to topics :which topics of featured heavily and which featured very little
Geographical distribution: is this information available to many groups of people or only a specific certain few
How to critically analyse the media
 what sort of news are given prominence in the newspaper
does it focus on international or local news doesn’t distinguish between fact and opinion opinions are for the editorial-page facts of the new stories is emotive language used to influence the readers interpretation is a demonstration called a riot or protest is called a mob where does the news come from is it from an international news agency or the papers on reporters is it reprinted and is the source of information A press conference call by a specific person or organisation
Roll on responsibility of the media in a democratic society
To expose corruption or inefficiency in the government to the public and publicise abuses of human rights to put pressure on governments and individuals to respect human rights and the Constitution
Why do people criticise the media
1) The media decides what is new and is criticised for focusing only on problems example neglecting events in Africa until their civil war or famine or some other human tragedy creating a negative image of Africa
2) Media cannot exist without advertising this gives power to companies which advertise their products because they can put pressure on the media to put across the kind of message that they support
3) Big companies control media therefore they influence what is printed or broadcasted in this way there is less variety reliability and objectivity in the information supplied 
What do people criticise about television (4)
1) violence: there is a link between the violence shown on TV and the increase in violent crimes in our society TV programmes can lead to copycat crimes
2) couch potatoes : these are people who spend a lot of time watching TV and cut off from social into action healthy exercise and leisure activities
3) values : TV promotes the wrong values such as wealth power glamour beauty and material possessions this influences people to want to buy things because they believe they are cool
4) Cultural standards : TV is dumbing down society by lowering cultural standards people watch programs that provide light and easy entertainment they don’t need
