Pluralist

Question 1

What do pluralists believe?

Answer 1

• media content is driven by audiences as media corporations aim to present what audiences want to see (considered unproblematic)
• media representation of social groups reflect diverse society and audience have choice over which aspects of media they choose to access

Question 2

What do pluralists believe about middle class media representation?

Answer 2

• accurately reflects the way media consumers perceive their society

Question 3

What do pluralists believe about media representation of upper class?

Answer 3

• audiences wand to watch the wealth and viewing figures for shows such as ‘made in Chelsea’ reflect this
• often upper class gain followers on ig as they post their lavish lifestyles

Question 4

What is a media example for social media creating another forum in which audiences can access a range of views?

Answer 4

Creating Spotify playlist, TikTok algorithm

Question 5

What is the Marxist criticism on pluralism and representation in media?

Answer 5

Bourgeoisie’s own social media so gives illusion of choice

Question 6

What did Whale find?

Answer 6

• what we see in press/news is determined by its readers/audiences
• if social groups were presented unfairly, audiences would not continue to use media products being sold

Question 7

What is a media example for Whale?

Answer 7

Hills borough disaster- 97 Liverpool fans crushed to death, The Sun blames fans rather than security, boycotted which shows they’re not passive and unthinking

Question 8

What is a media example for self regulation occurs within media companies is enough to ensure integrity?

Answer 8

The news of the world hacking scandal- the leveson report investigated ethics of the press

Question 9

Why is the media labelled as the fourth estate of democracy?

Answer 9

• provides us with the information we need to make proper informed decisions about society and not act out of ignorance or due to lack of information about the consequences of our decisions

Question 10

What are the types of media?

Answer 10

• news channels
• tabloid press vs broadsheets
• social media
• political broadcast
• party political broadcast

Question 11

How do news channels provide information?

Answer 11

• BBC News
• about current affairs, influences decision making in areas such as business, housing, economy, crime and education

Question 12

How do tabloid press and broadsheets provide information?

Answer 12

• tabloid press- The Sun, celebrity gossip, fake news, informal
• broadsheet- Financial Times, formal, objective, finance, economy, politics

Question 13

How does social media provide information?

Answer 13

• Tik tok
• opinions from celebrities, live streaming, controversial topics, fake news, fashion, trends

Question 14

How does political broadcast provide information?

Answer 14

• political parties, helps understand wider agenda of parties, choices of who to vote for

Question 15

How does party political broadcast provide information?

Answer 15

• deep explanation about party specific policies

Question 16

What did Williams find?

Answer 16

• journalists are vital in democratic society as they provide general public with information required to participate in political and cultural life
• free press is vital for democracy to work effectively as censorships lead to biased uncritical view of politicians and policies
• pluralists state newspapers that traditionally supported conservative now criticise conservative policies when necessary

Question 17

What is a media example of the Conservative Party being criticised?

Answer 17

Matt Hancock affair, Downing Street party