Media Theories Flashcards
1
Q
Marxism
A
The Media is part of the superstructure which is influenced and controlled by capitalism (the infrastructure)
2
Q
Neo Marxism
A
Continued to look at the important role of the media in maintaining ruling class interests and hegemony (dominance)
3
Q
Pluralism
A
Pluralists claim that media representations are problematic because they reflect society and what people want to see
4
Q
Feminism
A
Traditionally patriarchal ideology (e.g. women seen in housewife roles) can be seen in media representations although
5
Q
POSTMODERNISM
A
Postmodernists discuss diversity and choice in media images which people can pick and choose from
6
Q
Milliband
Marxism
A
- r/c use media to present false picture of reality
- This presents capitalism in a positive way
- This is done to control society
- Inequalities presented as inevitable, justifiable and effective for society
- : proletariat accept r/c values
- Media = opium of the people
- Numbs senses, distracts from reality of exploitation from bourgeoisie
7
Q
Curran
Marxism
A
- Press barons open about propagandist role
- 20th century = openly supported conservatives, serve interest of wealthy owners
- Later 20th cent - politicians try to get in favour of media owners
- Media owners have immense power
- Eg tony blair flew to meet rupert murdoch
8
Q
Bagdikian
Marxism
A
- 1983 - 50 corporations controlled media in USA
- 2004 - 7 corp
9
Q
Doyle
Marxism
A
- Examining media ownership = important because:
- All POV must be heard for society to be democratic
- Abuse of power by elites must be monitored by free media
- Concentration of ownership = dangerous; can make/break political careers
10
Q
Sutton Trust
Neo Marxism
A
- Unconscious reporter bias
- Journalists mostly white, m/c, male, 50% priv educ
- Unconsciously promote ruling class norms values ideologies
11
Q
Gilroy
Neo Marxism
A
- Certain groups that threaten white middle-class male position are marginalised and stereotyped in media
- Gilroy argues that black crime in the 70s was a form of political resistance and denies there was greater criminality in black people
- Media tends to create a folk devil surrounding black people (scapegoating)
- This generated deviancy amplification
12
Q
Hall
Neo Marxism
A
- In the media, black people portrayed as natives, entertainers or slaves
- Media reflects unconscious racism where black and Asian people seen as the source of social problems
- For example, being labelled as troublemakers in news coverage of riots where the media defends law and government
- Hollywood groups up people portraying them negatively
13
Q
The Glasgow Media Group
Neo Marxism
A
- Immigrants and asylum seaters labelled as the route of working class issues
- These social groups stereotyped in a negative way
- The GGM found a range of recurring themes in media
- Here are the three points in a more concise bullet point format:
- Conflation of forced/economic immigration – Some immigrants flee due to necessity, while others seek better opportunities. Merging these groups creates misunderstandings.
- Threatening numbers – Some media exaggerate immigration figures, creating unnecessary fear.
- A burden – Immigration is often framed as a strain on welfare and job markets, ignoring potential benefits.
14
Q
Whale
Pluralism
A
- Media professionals and owners compete for audiences, ensuring fair and balanced representation.
- Coverage reflects societal changes, supporting the pluralist view.
- Readers/audiences influence media content.
- If social groups were misrepresented, audiences would reject the media.
- Audiences can recognize stereotypes and manipulation, so the media is not solely responsible for bias.
15
Q
Williams
Pluralism
A
- Journalists are essential in a democratic society, providing information for public participation.
- Media plays a crucial role in representing different social groups.
- A free press is vital for democracy; censorship leads to biased views.
- Pluralists argue that even traditionally conservative newspapers critique conservative policies when necessary.
16
Q
Fourth estate of Democracy
Pluralism
A
- News Channels – 24/7 coverage, live events, expert analysis, but can be simplified and potentially biased.
- Tabloid Press vs. Broadsheets – Tabloids use strong, emotional language; broadsheets are more detailed and formal.
- Social Media – Instant news access, direct discussions with politicians, but can spread misinformation.
- Political Broadcasts – Interviews, debates, and discussions give insight into politicians’ views and how they handle pressure.
- Party Political Broadcasts – Short TV/radio slots promoting policies to persuade voters before elections.
17
Q
Mulvey
Feminism
A
- male gaze characterises media as an instrument of male spectatorship
- eg. transformers - hypersexualises female characters
18
Q
Wolf
Feminism
A
- Women socialised to conform to the beauty myth
- This is the idea that women must be fit “the ideal woman” in shape size and weight
- This ideal is seen as a backlash against the women movement
- This develops a false consciousness, so women don’t try to improve their societal position
19
Q
Whelehan
Feminism - RECENT
A
- Mens magazines dismiss feminism as an ironic joke
- Also promote laddish subculture
- Eg. FHM, Loaded, Maxim
20
Q
McRobbie
Feminism - RECENT
A
- Magazines impact identity – They shape Western ideals of femininity and beauty.
- ‘Discourse of Western enlightened values’ – Magazines promote specific values.
- Promotion of the ‘ideal’ – Emphasizing lifestyle, love, and beauty.
- Magazines generate ‘values’ – Presenting a version of hegemonic femininity.
- Criticism of celebrity gossip magazines – Heat and Closer focus heavily on fashion.
- Readers trapped in cycles of anxiety and self-confession – Due to media pressures.
21
Q
McLuhan
Postmodernism - Globalisation
A
- Global village - info passed electrically at the speed of light
- Globalisation means people have more choice when forming their identities
- Info from all corners of the world shared instantly
22
Q
Strinati
Postmodernism - Media Saturation
A
- Media saturated due to the variety of media sources
- Ppl connected with devices daily, so help ppl form identity
- Media now diverse, no stereotypes
- Erosion of identity - no longer use media to form identity
- Boundaries between groups now blurred
23
Q
Baudrillard
Postmodernism - Media Saturation
A
- Media saturation has negative impact on society
- Media simplifies for audiences - media owners control what audience sees as real
- Hyper-reality; physical and virtual reality merged - this makes it harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake
- Simulacra - Something that replaces reality with its representation eg photoshop
- Fake news very prominent
