REPRESENTATION THEORIES

Question 1

Stuart hall theory of representation

Answer 1

representation is the process of creating meaning: whilst producers may try to fix meanings, audiences can resist it

Question 2

hall representation theory usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 2

applies particularly to the way in which newspaper headlines try to fix the meaning of representation, both the copy and the photographs
Example: may either be stereotypical or not, may be unintentional or intentional so audience can understand texts better

Question 3

stuart hall representation theory limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 3

does not explain anything specific to newspapers as it is a general theory of representation
example: could be more present in daily mail as they have more stronger right wing views in comparison to the guardian as it’s more liberal and inclusive

Question 4

Gauntlet - identity

Answer 4

media representations offer us a range of diverse and contradictory messages about identity, with the media being used by audiences to explore and express their identities

Question 5

Gauntlet usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 5

applies to the way different sections of a newspaper offer diverse and sometimes contradictory media messages to audiences, this offering a range of points of identification
example: readers may relate or gain a sense of identity from guardians liberal and progressive views in comparison to hard headed and patriarchal DM views

Question 6

Gauntlet limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 6

many audiences, especially young will not gain a sense of identity through newspapers by through self expression online and by popular entertainment
example: the news discusses real life issues, readers may not gain a sense of identity because this theory may apply more to other media products

Question 7

Van zoonen - femanist theory

Answer 7

women are objectified in media representations in patriarchal culture

Question 8

Zoonen usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 8

the concept of patriarchy may be applied to the ownership and control of newspapers, the ethos and recruitment of newspaper professionals, news values and the representations of gender in news paper, especially representations of womens bodies
example: objection of women may be more present in tabloids/ middle market daily, not so much the guardian cus it’s editor is a women

Question 9

Zoonen limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 9

in dressing the influence of social conflict on representation the theory may underestimate the influence of social consensus on representations
example: there are examples of patriarchy and going against the theory, depending on the cover

Question 10

hooks feminist theory

Answer 10

feminism challenged patriarchy, with hooks arguing for an intersectional approach considering how identities such as race class and sexuality contribute to oppression alongside gender

Question 11

hooks usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 11

the concept of intersectionality’s draws attention to misrepresentations and stereotypes based on one or more social groups and their interrelationship in any newspaper representations
example: there have been examples that go against this theory and contribute to a patriarchal society

Question 12

hooks limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 12

in stressing the influence of social conflict on representations the theory may underestimate the influence of social consensus on representations
examples: news would not strongly/ intentionally oppress a certain social group as they still have a reputation to uphold and are regulated

Question 13

Butler - gender performativity

Answer 13

gender identity is not something that we are born with but something we express through the performance of it, butler challengers the notion of fixed binary identities of sexuality and gende

Question 14

Butler usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 14

can be applied particularly to lifestyle sections of newspapers, where the performance of gender may be demonstrated, and potentially articles discussing gender trouble
example : could be more prevalent on the daily mail with an advertisement on a makeup product e.g (command word - see page …)

Question 15

butler limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 15

does not explain anything specific to news as it is a very high level theory about gender
example : could relate more to movie character or online news

Question 16

Gilroy - post-colonialism

Answer 16

the history of colonialism continues to influence attitudes on ethnicity in western societies

Question 17

Gilroy usefullness point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 17

the concept of post colonial melancholia draws atttention to the continuing role of colonial ideology - of the superiority of white western culture across a range of representations in newspapers
examples: DM is owned by a white man of power, less prevalent in guardian as they are liberal

Question 18

Gilroy limitations point and daily mail / guardian example

Answer 18

in stressing the influence of social conflict on representations the theory may underestimate the influence of social consensus on representations
example: the guardian may not represent this, news would not strongly/intentionally oppress a certain ethnic group cus they have a reputation to uphold