pros and cons news theory Flashcards
1
Q
semiology - barthes, PROS
A
- good for micro analysis of different components of newspapers
- good for understanding the myths created about the brand of a newspaper through repeated symbols that create a myth
2
Q
semiology - barthes, CONS
A
- not specific to newspapers and can hence not be good for the more macro understanding of wider contextual influences
- not useful if its lack of recognition of audiences to take away different readings that were not intentionally set out
3
Q
genre theory - neale, PROS
A
- helps recognise the pattern between different market segments and what type of news they will report on as a result
- helps to recognise the change in market segments and how certain papers are beginning to hybridise
4
Q
genre theory - neale, CONS
A
- genre is not as much of a key factor in selling the product as it is in moving image media, especially filmic content
- papers try to have individual uses of media language as attention grabbers to a prospective reader to differentiate themselves in a saturated market (rather than only adhering to a specific genre’s codes and conventions)
5
Q
structuralism - levi-strauss, PROS
A
- helps to understand the enigmas that the paper raises to entice the audience and create drama by looking at the two opposing groups or values they put into conflict in their headlines or images
- allows a comparison between different newspapers and their different political leanings, giving an insight into what the ideologies may be behind the conflict that led to the conflict being depicted
6
Q
structuralism - levi-strauss, CONS
A
- a very high level, complex theory about the human consciousness hence it is difficult to apply it to something as simple as news stories
7
Q
narratology - todorov, PROS
A
- allows an understanding of how the news captivates an audience through constructing a narrative around news events
- allows us to understand the news as a ‘disruption’ where there will hopefully be a consequent ‘equilibrium’
8
Q
narratology - todorov, CONS
A
- not written for news as this is based on real life events where no real moral lessons are purposely implanted and there is not always a structured sense of climax and resolution
9
Q
postmodernism - baudrillard, PROS
A
- useful when looking at news stories that are not founded in real life. these tend to be stories about other viral stories or stories about celebrities that are famous for how famous they are.
- useful in that it helps understand how news stories can sometimes construct a hyperreality as a means of entertainment and making money through the way they entice an audience with said entertainment
10
Q
postmodernism - baudrillard, CONS
A
- limited in that it is an extremely high level theory that cannot be falsified. it makes it especially difficult to apply to newspapers that have much less inclusion of Baudrillard’s ideas of pastiche and bricolage
11
Q
theories of representation - hall, PROS
A
- it is useful in any product that is an active participant in constructing representations
- is useful in looking at what stereotypes a news paper makes as it helps aid the understanding of the ideologies and values that go behind these representations
12
Q
theories of representation - hall, CONS
A
- not helpful in that it is not a theory specifically tailored to newspapers and hence, may not be the best use at explaining the specific industrial reasons newspapers make certain choices
13
Q
theories of identity - gauntlett, PROS
A
- the news is one of the most current and up to date media and hence, his theory is useful to apply as these representations presented are some of the most current reflections of the new, more open society we live in
- useful in understanding the sense of identity that a reader may feel in reading a particular newspaper
- newspapers sometimes offer a broad range of opinions that sometimes contrast each other, hence readers can pick out which they connect to most
14
Q
theories of identity - gauntlett, CONS
A
- not useful in that it doesn’t acknowledge how some readers specifically choose papers that reaffirm their viewpoints and don’t get that open minded range that Gauntlett speaks of
- not written for newspapers so it lacks the same impact as many audiences do not seek their identification in the news but instead in film and tv
- assumes audiences are powerful agents and neglects the idea that it can be the other way round- the producers shape the values in someone’s life rather than reflect it
15
Q
feminist theory - van zoonen, PROS
A
- useful in that newspapers function under the patriarchy and hence tend to still make representations that depict women as an objectified spectacle
- useful in looking at the patriarchal powers of the press barons and owners and editors of the papers
