Pluralism & the Media

Question 1

What do Pluralists say about the Media?

Answer 1

• The media reflects the values & beliefs of society
• Society is made up of lots of different and interacting parts, each producing their own opinion

Question 2

Pluralism:
‘Consumer Power’

Answer 2

• Not one group can push their views on society, because there is always another option
  – > This gives normal people consumer power over media outlets, so if they don’t like what they’re watching/ hearing, they can simply switch to a different media source- and the old one looses money as a result.
  —–> Owners of media organisations want to stay in business, so they mostly stick to publishing stories they know will satisfy the readers

Question 3

Criticisms of this theory:

Answer 3

Marxism
- Media content is manipulated by the bourgeoise and choice is limited by the views presented by the upper class owners, editors and reporters