NeoMarxism & the Media

Question 1

What do Neo Marxists say about the media?

Answer 1

• The media reflects the ideology of the ruling class
• Cultural Hegemony: The norms & values of the bourgeoise are presented as natural
• They suggest that this is due to editors and reporters coming from ruling class backgrounds

Question 2

What do Neo Marxists say about media workers?

Answer 2

• People in the media are trained to present a certain view of the world. Then, this view becomes natural and obvious to the audience

Question 3

Give an example of the Neo Marxist view?

Answer 3

• Family entertainment programmes are presented as light hearted fun, but they present a specific idea of a typical white British family

Question 4

Criticisms of the Neo Marxist view

Answer 4

Too deterministic
- Neo Marxists suggest that the media content is solely controlled by the media owners, overlooking the media producers, journalists, and other actors who may have varied motivations beyond simply serving capitalist interests.