SS 1D - Module 8-10 Flashcards
(from the German word Öffentlichkeit) is a part of social life where people come together to openly discuss important issues in society. Through these discussions, they can influence political decisions.
public sphere
The idea of the public sphere was introduced by German philosopher ______________, who described it as a “virtual or imaginary community" that doesn’t exist in a physical place
Jürgen Habermas
- It is
biased informationused to influence people’s opinions and promote a specific agenda. - often presents facts selectively or uses emotional language to make people react emotionally rather than thinking rationally
Propaganda
Propaganda Model was developed by _____________________
Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky
This model suggests that the mass media has built-in biases, mainly because of economic and structural reasons. Even though they first described it for the U.S. media, they believe it applies to any country with similar economic systems.
Propaganda Model
Epistemic Merit Model, created by
Sheryl Tuttle Ross
explains propaganda using a Sender-Message-Receiver model:
* The sender (or persuader) creates the message with a specific intention.
* The message is sent through a communication channel.
* The receiver (the audience) is the target of persuasion.
Epistemic Merit Model
- Came from Plato’s ideas in Ancient Greece and was used by European kings.
- In this system,
the government completely controls the media. - The goal is to
stop people from criticizing the government. - The government tells the media what to say, and only one “official” voice is heard.
- Strength: Clear decisions, better efficiency, and discipline.
- Weakness: No feedback from the public—leaders don’t really know what people think.
- Opportunity: Brings stability, peace, and security by protecting the people.
- Threat: Can cause rebellion if people get tired of being controlled.
Authoritarian Theory
- Started after the
1917 Bolshevik Revolutionin Russia. - The
governmentstill controls the media, but it’s supposed towork for the people (workers) instead of rulers. - No full democracy or press freedom—m
edia supports the government. - Still used today in countries like
Cuba. - Strength: Public can give feedback to the government.
- Weakness: Media must support national interests, not personal freedom.
- Opportunity: Helps people improve their lives through education and information.
- Threat: No private media; journalists work for the government, not as watchdogs.
Soviet Communist Model
Libertarian Theory
* Originated in the U.S. when people wanted freedom from monarchy rule.
* Promotes freedom of the press and democracy.
* Media is free to criticize the government and expose problems.
* Strength: Media can reveal the truth, good or bad, helping prevent corruption.
* Weakness: Lack of control can lead to irresponsible journalism (like yellow journalism).
* Opportunity: Encourages a free and informed public.
* Threat: Media could damage trust between people and the government.
Social Responsibility Theory
* Media is privately owned but expected to follow ethics and responsibility.
* Press freedom is balanced with accountability to society.
* Strength: Media can be questioned for sensationalism and fake news.
* Weakness: Ethics can be unclear and vary from case to case.
* Opportunity: Gives a voice to marginalized groups and ensures diversity.
* Threat: Irresponsible reporting can damage reputations and cause social conflicts.
Democratic Participant Theory
* Focuses on local media and community participation.
* People have the chance to express their own views.
* Strength: Supports local culture and development, not controlled by politics.
* Weakness: Media reach is limited to small, local groups.
* Opportunity: Allows people to criticize the government in a constructive way.
* Threat: Audiences may become too demanding and picky, causing instability.
Development Communication Media
* Media is used to promote national development and social change.
* Aimed at helping poor or developing countries grow and improve.
* Strength: Supports education, economic growth, and cultural development.
* Weakness: Risk of media becoming government propaganda.
* Opportunity: Helps improve people’s lives in many ways.
* Threat: People may become too dependent on media and government help.
Agenda-Setting Media
* Media chooses what news is important for the public to know.
* Influences what people think about by highlighting certain topics.
* Strength: Helps focus public attention on important issues.
* Weakness: Media might ignore important stories that don’t seem newsworthy.
* Opportunity: Shapes public opinion on political, social, and economic matters.
* Threat: Can be used to manipulate people through biased coverage.
Gatekeeping Media
* Media decides which information the public gets to see.
* Strength: Sets a standard for what is considered important news.
* Weakness: Important information might be hidden if it doesn’t favor powerful groups.
* Opportunity: Unfiltered news can help the public better prepare for crises and emergencies.
* Threat: Filtered news can make people unaware of real problems and dependent on positive news only.
Global Culture, Westernization, and Americanization
Modernization means making changes to keep up with present needs — it’s about being practical and flexible to adapt to progress and development.
Westernization happens when a society adopts ideas and practices from Western countries, like new ways of doing business, running governments, or making laws.
Americanization is when a person, thing, or society takes on American culture or values.
is learning the culture you are born into — the traditions, values, and behaviors of your own society. It’s a lot like “socialization,” but specifically about culture.
Enculturation
is when someone adopts parts of a different culture after being exposed to it.
For example:
Acculturation
goes even further.
It happens when a person fully adopts the new culture and loses clear signs of their original culture.
Assimilation
- is a system of beliefs, values, and practices about things considered sacred or spiritually important.
Religion
- said religion is about “things that go beyond our knowledge” and called it a unified system that connects people through shared beliefs and practices, forming a moral community (like a church).
Émile Durkheim
- Started as a Jewish movement about Jesus being the Messiah.
- Became official in the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine (around AD 324).
Christianity
- Main Beliefs of Christianity:
o God is the creator.
o Jesus is the Son of God and Savior.
o Humans are sinners who need redemption.
o Belief in the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
o The soul is immortal.
- Oldest major religion (over 4,000 years old).
- Started in the Indus Valley (modern India and Pakistan).
- About 900 million followers.
Hinduism
