1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?
She had three instances of sexual harassment happen to her in a week, causing her to question the normality of it.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?
Evidently, feminism must still be required in western societies as women are still objectified.
3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?
It gave the movement a wider reach than it might've had without the internet.
4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism?
I don't think there will be as prejudice is very hard to eliminate. Somewhere, somehow, someone will still think acting inappropriately to women is funny and acceptable behaviour.
Media Magazine: The fourth wave?
Read the article: The Fourth Wave? Feminism in the Digital Age in MM55 (p64). You'll find the article in our Media Magazine archive here.
1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?
"The new fourth wave of feminism is also known as ‘networked feminism’. it aims to tackle social equality issues found both on, and using, modern technology."
The issue presented with it is that the main idea of Feminism is only partially understood because of too many threads and outlets. They consider Feminism to be left behind.
2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave ‘networked feminism’?
First wave- Early 20th century, suffragette movement, right to vote
Second wave- 1960 to 1990s, reproductive rights (pill), abortion, equal pay (includes 1970 radical feminism)
Third wave- 1990 to present empowerment, reclaiming of femininity, (high heels, sexuality) changing sexism in advertising.
3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a 100-word summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.
4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?
I agree that we're in a Fourth wave as we have opened doors for women to talk about their experiences with sexism and how they have been treated in a supposedly 'Post-Feminism' state. There is still a lot of growth that needs to be done by everyone, not just men, to achieve a society where everyone feels like they belong. We cannot ignore race or sexuality in the movement, nor can we ignore nationality.
Wednesday 29 January 2020
Representation
Create a new blogpost called 'Representation blog tasks'.
Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:
1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?
2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?
She's very much shown as the perfect woman, one that knows her place and doesn't speak out of line. Meghan could be seen as a foil for her.
3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.
4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?
Audiences will respond differently to different representations and the meaning the producer intended to create with a representation will not always come across.
5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?
Now people can actively show they're against certain representations, making the media accountable for their prejudices.
6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?
The Sun showing the Queen as iconography of Britishness.
7) Finally, think about this week's representation theories. Watch the trailer for classic action movie Taken and write an analysis of the representation of people, places and groups in the trailer using terminology and theories you have learned this week:
Sunday 12 January 2020
Media regulation: blog tasks
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet 128: Contemporary Media Regulation. Our Media Factsheet archive can be found at M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Regulation is the application of rules. Media industries need to be regulated in order to provide a balance of beliefs and opinions.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
"The OFice of COMunication (OFCOM) is responsible for regulating
television, radio, telephone services and some aspects of the internet"
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
Section 1: Protecting the Under-Eighteens -because Children should be protected from seeing certain things in case of coping the behaviour seen.
Section 2: Harm and Offence
Section 3: Crime
Section 4: Religion
Section 5: Impartiality and Undue Prominence of Views and
Opinions
Section 6: Elections and Referendums
Section 7: Fairness-As all sides of a controversy should be taken into consideration.
Section 8: Privacy-Everyone deserves privacy and the deliberate doxxing of celebrities or otherwise can have dangerous consequences.
Section 9: Commercial References in Television Programming
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
As family friendly films had been played consistently in that time slot before, it is reasonable for them to get a slap on the wrist for showing a violent movie before the watershed. However, it is also ridiculous.
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Section 1: Accuracy
Section 2: Opportunity to Reply
Section 3: Privacy*
Section 4: Harassment*
Section 5: Intrusion Into Grief and Shock
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
As the regulations are not statutory, they can do very little about News papers breaking rules.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
The Leveson inquiry was a judicial public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal, chaired by Lord Justice Leveson
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
The IPSO, a company with the same amount of power PCC had.
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio
Although a free press is crucial for freedom of speech, some of the ways in which the press conduct themselves is disgusting. There should be boundaries that news papers are unable to cross.
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
The internet isn't only in one country. Although one government may ban a certain thing, there is no rule against someone in another country making a website on said thing.
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Regulation is the application of rules. Media industries need to be regulated in order to provide a balance of beliefs and opinions.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
"The OFice of COMunication (OFCOM) is responsible for regulating
television, radio, telephone services and some aspects of the internet"
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
Section 1: Protecting the Under-Eighteens -because Children should be protected from seeing certain things in case of coping the behaviour seen.
Section 2: Harm and Offence
Section 3: Crime
Section 4: Religion
Section 5: Impartiality and Undue Prominence of Views and
Opinions
Section 6: Elections and Referendums
Section 7: Fairness-As all sides of a controversy should be taken into consideration.
Section 8: Privacy-Everyone deserves privacy and the deliberate doxxing of celebrities or otherwise can have dangerous consequences.
Section 9: Commercial References in Television Programming
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
As family friendly films had been played consistently in that time slot before, it is reasonable for them to get a slap on the wrist for showing a violent movie before the watershed. However, it is also ridiculous.
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Section 1: Accuracy
Section 2: Opportunity to Reply
Section 3: Privacy*
Section 4: Harassment*
Section 5: Intrusion Into Grief and Shock
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
As the regulations are not statutory, they can do very little about News papers breaking rules.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
The Leveson inquiry was a judicial public inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal, chaired by Lord Justice Leveson
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
The IPSO, a company with the same amount of power PCC had.
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio
Although a free press is crucial for freedom of speech, some of the ways in which the press conduct themselves is disgusting. There should be boundaries that news papers are unable to cross.
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
The internet isn't only in one country. Although one government may ban a certain thing, there is no rule against someone in another country making a website on said thing.
Public Service broadcasting
Public service broadcasting: blog tasks
Create a new blogpost called 'Public service broadcasting' and complete the following tasks:
Ofcom report
Read the first few pages of this Ofcom report into Public Service Broadcasting in 2017.
1) How does the report suggest that TV viewing is changing?
The amount of people watching live TV is decreasing due to access to the internet and shows on demand.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Older viewers engage more with traditional media such as news papers, broadcast and radio. 16-24 year olds watch less broadcast media.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
It states 78% of PSB viewers are satisfied with what is shown.
4) Public service broadcasting channels are a major aspect of the UK cultural industries. How much money did PSB channels spend on UK-originated content in 2016?
Goldsmiths report
Read this report from Goldsmiths University - A future for public service television: content and platforms in a digital world.
1) What does the report state has changed in the UK television market in the last 20 years?
The internet has caused massive change in all media markets, including television. Therefore, UK broadcasters have struggled to keep up with the pace of modern consumers.
2) Look at page 4. What are the principles that the report suggests need to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in future?
-In return for PSB meeting regulated standards, they would get guaranteed favour from streaming and smart interfaces.
-Retransmission fees should be paid by pay-TV platforms to public service television operators to address the current undervaluation of public service content by these distributors.
-Regular checks to see if the broadcasters are presenting media that can relate to all walks of life.
3) What does the report say about the BBC?
The BBC is crucial to the "television ecology" yet its funding methods are archaic, posing a threat to the future of Public Service Broadcast.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
" a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards."
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Channel Four is also critical to the "ecology" as its purpose, although arguably abandoned, is to offer artsy and provoking programmes aimed at a wide audience.
6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
The reports states that Channel Four should not become privatized. It also says they need to focus on hitting certain demographics such as older children and young adults in order to be deserving of its PSB status.
7) Look at page 10 - new kids on the block. What does the report say about new digital content providers and their link to public service broadcasting?
"Television with the characteristics of public service broadcasting now appears outside the public service system: from Sky and other commercial broadcasters, on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon, and through the new Local TV services. Meanwhile, a broad range of cultural institutions – including museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations – are now producing video content of public service character. We believe that the growing contribution to a digital media ecology made by these cultural institutions should be boosted by a specific public intervention. "
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
As long as the BBC commit to the guidelines stated by Ofcom and remain non-biased in their news coverage, I believe the BBC is absolutely an essential part of British media.
2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
We will never not need a company dedicated to Informing, Educating and Entertaining the British (and panglobal) people. Therefore, there will always be a place for the BBC if it decides to evolve and diversify with the time.
3) Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
Yes, as the use of regular TV is quickly declining. As the report above suggested, a mandatory tax would possibly help fund the BBC better. Although a pain to pay, it is nothing compared to the benefits we reap with the BBC in power.
Create a new blogpost called 'Public service broadcasting' and complete the following tasks:
Ofcom report
Read the first few pages of this Ofcom report into Public Service Broadcasting in 2017.
1) How does the report suggest that TV viewing is changing?
The amount of people watching live TV is decreasing due to access to the internet and shows on demand.
2) What differences are highlighted between younger and older viewers?
Older viewers engage more with traditional media such as news papers, broadcast and radio. 16-24 year olds watch less broadcast media.
3) Does the report suggest audiences are satisfied with public service broadcasting TV channels?
It states 78% of PSB viewers are satisfied with what is shown.
4) Public service broadcasting channels are a major aspect of the UK cultural industries. How much money did PSB channels spend on UK-originated content in 2016?
Goldsmiths report
Read this report from Goldsmiths University - A future for public service television: content and platforms in a digital world.
1) What does the report state has changed in the UK television market in the last 20 years?
The internet has caused massive change in all media markets, including television. Therefore, UK broadcasters have struggled to keep up with the pace of modern consumers.
2) Look at page 4. What are the principles that the report suggests need to be embedded in regulation of public service broadcasting in future?
-In return for PSB meeting regulated standards, they would get guaranteed favour from streaming and smart interfaces.
-Retransmission fees should be paid by pay-TV platforms to public service television operators to address the current undervaluation of public service content by these distributors.
-Regular checks to see if the broadcasters are presenting media that can relate to all walks of life.
3) What does the report say about the BBC?
The BBC is crucial to the "television ecology" yet its funding methods are archaic, posing a threat to the future of Public Service Broadcast.
4) According to the report, how should the BBC be funded in future?
" a tiered platform-neutral household fee, a supplement to Council Tax or funding via general taxation with appropriate parliamentary safeguards."
5) What does the report say about Channel 4?
Channel Four is also critical to the "ecology" as its purpose, although arguably abandoned, is to offer artsy and provoking programmes aimed at a wide audience.
6) How should Channel 4 operate in future?
The reports states that Channel Four should not become privatized. It also says they need to focus on hitting certain demographics such as older children and young adults in order to be deserving of its PSB status.
7) Look at page 10 - new kids on the block. What does the report say about new digital content providers and their link to public service broadcasting?
"Television with the characteristics of public service broadcasting now appears outside the public service system: from Sky and other commercial broadcasters, on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon, and through the new Local TV services. Meanwhile, a broad range of cultural institutions – including museums, performing arts institutions and community organisations – are now producing video content of public service character. We believe that the growing contribution to a digital media ecology made by these cultural institutions should be boosted by a specific public intervention. "
Final questions - your opinion on public service broadcasting
1) Should the BBC retain its position as the UK’s public service broadcaster?
As long as the BBC commit to the guidelines stated by Ofcom and remain non-biased in their news coverage, I believe the BBC is absolutely an essential part of British media.
2) Is there a role for the BBC in the 21st century digital world?
We will never not need a company dedicated to Informing, Educating and Entertaining the British (and panglobal) people. Therefore, there will always be a place for the BBC if it decides to evolve and diversify with the time.
3) Should the BBC funding model (license fee) change? How?
Yes, as the use of regular TV is quickly declining. As the report above suggested, a mandatory tax would possibly help fund the BBC better. Although a pain to pay, it is nothing compared to the benefits we reap with the BBC in power.
Wednesday 8 January 2020
Conglomerate research
1) Type up your research notes from the lesson - what did you find out about your allocated media conglomerate? Selection of companies: Alphabet, The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, 21st Century Fox, Facebook, Viacom, News Corp, Time Warner. If you were absent or don't have the notes, research any of the companies above and find examples of all the terminology outlined in the notes at the start of this blogpost.
FACEBOOK
-Conglomerate ownership
Owns different companies.
-Vertical integration
Out of all the companies FACEBOOK owns I don't think they are used in the same chain of production.
-Horizontal integration
FACEBOOK has bought out competition (with Whatsapp and Instagram) while also branching out of Social Media into Advertising with LiveRail and Oculus VR.
-Integration & synergy
FACEBOOK Portal carries FACEBOOK's name, promoting it through new technology.
-Diversification
The FACEBOOK Portal shows that FACEBOOK is trying to diversify to keep itself relevant in the changing digital age.
2) Do you agree that governments should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant? Write an argument that looks at both sides of this debate.
I agree on one hand as Media conglomerates have a wider reach than any one country, making them a behemoth of influence and power. If They are simply allowed to keep growing, they may become too powerful, possibly becoming impossible to regulate and hold accountable. However, too much meddling in the free market could tip the scale in the opposite direction, making the Governments too powerful and less democratic. By putting a damper on how much profit someone can gain, it can be argued that the Government should not intervene with people's lives.
I agree on one hand as Media conglomerates have a wider reach than any one country, making them a behemoth of influence and power. If They are simply allowed to keep growing, they may become too powerful, possibly becoming impossible to regulate and hold accountable. However, too much meddling in the free market could tip the scale in the opposite direction, making the Governments too powerful and less democratic. By putting a damper on how much profit someone can gain, it can be argued that the Government should not intervene with people's lives.
Media Magazine reading and questions
Media Magazine 52 has a good feature on the changing relationship between audiences and institutions in the digital age. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM52 and scroll to page 9 to read the article 'Two Key Concepts: The Relationship Between Audience and Institution'.
Media Magazine 52 has a good feature on the changing relationship between audiences and institutions in the digital age. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM52 and scroll to page 9 to read the article 'Two Key Concepts: The Relationship Between Audience and Institution'.
1) Briefly describe the production, promotion and distribution process for media companies.
-A company considers audiences' desires and provides.
-The product is then advertised and anticipated.
-It is then sold in the most accessible way.
2) What are the different funding models for media institutions?
-licence fee
-licence fee
-income from advertisers
-subscription costs
-Receiving more money the longer a viewer is on the website
-subscription costs
-Receiving more money the longer a viewer is on the website
3) The article gives a lot of examples of major media brands and companies. Choose three examples from the article and summarise what the writer is saying about each of them.
-Disney is family friendly and focuses on children's entertainment
-Marvel is associated with superheros and very moral driven plots.
-Disney is family friendly and focuses on children's entertainment
-Marvel is associated with superheros and very moral driven plots.
4) What examples are provided of the new business models media companies have had to adopt due to changes in technology and distribution?
Due to the Internet making everything readily available, Spotify opened as a way to combat free streaming.
Due to the Internet making everything readily available, Spotify opened as a way to combat free streaming.
5) Re-read the section on 'The Future'. What examples are discussed of technology companies becoming major media institutions?
-Google owning YouTube
-Amazon, Netflix and Yahoo now produce their own shows
-Facebook diversifying into Oculus Rift
6) Do you agree with the view that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive?
I do because the invention of the Internet as we know it has shook up the producer/audience relationship. No one is willing to pay for things they can get for free.
I do because the invention of the Internet as we know it has shook up the producer/audience relationship. No one is willing to pay for things they can get for free.
7) How might diversification or vertical integration help companies to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape?
It helps companies evolve with the time by diversifying into different fields. Vertical integration makes it so no money leaves the company and all profit is internalised.
It helps companies evolve with the time by diversifying into different fields. Vertical integration makes it so no money leaves the company and all profit is internalised.
8) How do YOU see the relationship between audience and institution in the future? Will audiences gain increasing power or will the major global media conglomerates maintain their control?
Audience theory 2
Theory questions and your opinion
1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?
I agree with this to a point, as it makes people increasingly aware of violence and anti-social behaviours. However, it doesn't reflect in statistics as violent crime has been decreasing. Therefore there can be no real correlation between the two.
2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.
There are increasing arguments for video games and television influencing children into becoming violent, much like the social learning theory.
3) Research three examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?
-Micheal Jackson being blacklisted- Justified because of questionable practices with children, unjustified because musically the man was a genius.
-Immigrants- Completely unutterably justified.
-marilyn manson- Was used as a scapegoat by people because they needed someone to blame after the columbine shooting.
4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of technopanics that create fear in society?
Child Safety, Digital Privacy, Cybersecurity
5) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?
The internet should have overarching rules that follow basic morality (such as no child pornography, no doxxing, ect). This would help crack down on the sites where protection of the vulnerable isn't their upmost concern. However, this would be almost impossible to govern, There would have to be an agreement between all countries, and there would be nothing stopping them from perhaps taking the censorship further.
6) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse? Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? Write a paragraph discussing these ideas.
Instinctively, my inclination is to say absolutely. People who use the internet more often seem to me more desensitized to violence. However, this does not necessarily spell the end of humanity as we're perhaps the most accepting and least violent generations to exist so far. Old people love fear.
The effects debate: Media Factsheet
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 030 - The Effects Debate available on the Media Shared drive. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets. Remember, you can't access these at home so make sure you save the factsheet to a USB/Google Drive or email it to yourself so you can complete the work at home.
Read Media Factsheet 030 - Media and Audiences -The Effects Debate and answer the following questions:
1) Complete the questions in the first activity box (beginning with 'Do you play violent games? Are you violent in real life?')
Do you play violent video games and/or watch violent films? Are you violent in ‘real life’?
I sometimes play violent video games, quite often watch violent films. I like to think I'm not violent at all.
Do you ever see a product advertised on TV or on the internet and decide you want to buy it?
One time I saw an advert for Philadelphia cream cheese on TV and went out that day to buy some. I don't especially notice an influence over my behaviour usually but it must work if they have adverts everywhere.
Have you ever seen a documentary which has drawn your attention to an issue which you now feel strongly about?
Carnage by Simon Amstell made me stop drinking milk.
2) What are the four categories for different effects theories?
Direct Effect Theories
Diffusion Theories
Indirect Effect Theories
The Pluralist Approach
3) What are the examples provided for the hypodermic needle theory - where media texts have been blamed for certain events?
Child’s Play – The murder of Jamie Bulger
Marilyn Manson – The Columbine High School shootings
Natural Born Killers – a number of murders committed by
romantically linked couples. in one case, the director was sued
for inciting violence although the court case was later dismissed
4) What was the 1999 Columbine massacre? You may need to research this online in addition to the information on the factsheet.
The Columbine massacre was the biggest school shooting to have happened at that time.
5) What are the reasons listed on the factsheet to possibly explain the Columbine High School massacre?
-Easy access to firearms
-Alienation of teenagers
-high unemployment causing tension
-General desensitization caused by easier access to violent images
-Marylin Manson lyrics
6) How does the factsheet describe Gerbner's Cultivation theory?
-Through repetition attitudes, ideas and values may become
normalised or naturalised; they are accepted rather than
considered
-Through repetition the audience may become desensitised
towards negative and/or violent representations
7) What does the factsheet suggest about action films and the values and ideologies that are reinforced with regards to violence?
Violence is only acceptable if it's agreed the intent is good.
8) What criticisms of direct effect theories are suggested in the factsheet?
It's very patronising to the audience, giving them little credit.
9) Why might the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour be considered so controversial today? What does this tell us about Reception theory and how audiences create meanings?
The subject of the sitcom seems racist and outdated to new viewers.
10) What examples are provided for Hall's theory of preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings?
The Sun and The Guardian
1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?
I agree with this to a point, as it makes people increasingly aware of violence and anti-social behaviours. However, it doesn't reflect in statistics as violent crime has been decreasing. Therefore there can be no real correlation between the two.
2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.
There are increasing arguments for video games and television influencing children into becoming violent, much like the social learning theory.
3) Research three examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?
-Micheal Jackson being blacklisted- Justified because of questionable practices with children, unjustified because musically the man was a genius.
-Immigrants- Completely unutterably justified.
-marilyn manson- Was used as a scapegoat by people because they needed someone to blame after the columbine shooting.
4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of technopanics that create fear in society?
Child Safety, Digital Privacy, Cybersecurity
5) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?
The internet should have overarching rules that follow basic morality (such as no child pornography, no doxxing, ect). This would help crack down on the sites where protection of the vulnerable isn't their upmost concern. However, this would be almost impossible to govern, There would have to be an agreement between all countries, and there would be nothing stopping them from perhaps taking the censorship further.
6) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse? Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? Write a paragraph discussing these ideas.
Instinctively, my inclination is to say absolutely. People who use the internet more often seem to me more desensitized to violence. However, this does not necessarily spell the end of humanity as we're perhaps the most accepting and least violent generations to exist so far. Old people love fear.
The effects debate: Media Factsheet
Complete the following tasks using Media Factsheet 030 - The Effects Debate available on the Media Shared drive. You'll find it in our Media Factsheet archive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets. Remember, you can't access these at home so make sure you save the factsheet to a USB/Google Drive or email it to yourself so you can complete the work at home.
Read Media Factsheet 030 - Media and Audiences -The Effects Debate and answer the following questions:
1) Complete the questions in the first activity box (beginning with 'Do you play violent games? Are you violent in real life?')
Do you play violent video games and/or watch violent films? Are you violent in ‘real life’?
I sometimes play violent video games, quite often watch violent films. I like to think I'm not violent at all.
Do you ever see a product advertised on TV or on the internet and decide you want to buy it?
One time I saw an advert for Philadelphia cream cheese on TV and went out that day to buy some. I don't especially notice an influence over my behaviour usually but it must work if they have adverts everywhere.
Have you ever seen a documentary which has drawn your attention to an issue which you now feel strongly about?
Carnage by Simon Amstell made me stop drinking milk.
2) What are the four categories for different effects theories?
Direct Effect Theories
Diffusion Theories
Indirect Effect Theories
The Pluralist Approach
3) What are the examples provided for the hypodermic needle theory - where media texts have been blamed for certain events?
Child’s Play – The murder of Jamie Bulger
Marilyn Manson – The Columbine High School shootings
Natural Born Killers – a number of murders committed by
romantically linked couples. in one case, the director was sued
for inciting violence although the court case was later dismissed
4) What was the 1999 Columbine massacre? You may need to research this online in addition to the information on the factsheet.
The Columbine massacre was the biggest school shooting to have happened at that time.
5) What are the reasons listed on the factsheet to possibly explain the Columbine High School massacre?
-Easy access to firearms
-Alienation of teenagers
-high unemployment causing tension
-General desensitization caused by easier access to violent images
-Marylin Manson lyrics
6) How does the factsheet describe Gerbner's Cultivation theory?
-Through repetition attitudes, ideas and values may become
normalised or naturalised; they are accepted rather than
considered
-Through repetition the audience may become desensitised
towards negative and/or violent representations
7) What does the factsheet suggest about action films and the values and ideologies that are reinforced with regards to violence?
Violence is only acceptable if it's agreed the intent is good.
8) What criticisms of direct effect theories are suggested in the factsheet?
It's very patronising to the audience, giving them little credit.
9) Why might the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour be considered so controversial today? What does this tell us about Reception theory and how audiences create meanings?
The subject of the sitcom seems racist and outdated to new viewers.
10) What examples are provided for Hall's theory of preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings?
The Sun and The Guardian
cultural industries
1) What does the term 'Cultural Industries' actually refer to?
The term ‘cultural industry’ refers to the creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature.
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
These societies tend to be dominated by large companies with minimal government control and large large gaps between rich and poor.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
It provides a balance of opinions, meaning there's a healthy debate going on. It offers something for everyone.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
•Risky business
•Creativity versus commerce
•High production costs and low reproduction costs
•Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
There is a certain unpredictability when it comes to Audience and their reaction. For example, The Cats musical bombed despite having lots of star power and a high budget.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
Commerce films obviously appeal to a large audience, so therefore cannot be inherently bad. However, more niche films and media are needed to take risks and stretch artistic creativity.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
Vertical integration
horizontal integration
Diversification
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I agree that whenever we make positive changes in representation there should be positive responses. There is too much praise for representing groups right in media though. It shouldn't be a great thing, it should just be the norm.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
The visual Effects industry is receiving little money because companies often bid into jobs and get a locked fee, no matter what happens during production.
10) What is commodification?
Buying or Selling.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
Not all media texts fail to reflect society, some force diversity to seem more reflective, and some don't bother trying to get across the general opinion of wider society.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed? Identify the three most significant developments and explain why you think they are the most important.
-Technology companies diversifying into cultural industries mean they now have even more competition.
-Digitisation means there are new ways of engaging with media
-Huge increase in spending on adverts and marketing
The term ‘cultural industry’ refers to the creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature.
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
These societies tend to be dominated by large companies with minimal government control and large large gaps between rich and poor.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
It provides a balance of opinions, meaning there's a healthy debate going on. It offers something for everyone.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
•Risky business
•Creativity versus commerce
•High production costs and low reproduction costs
•Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
There is a certain unpredictability when it comes to Audience and their reaction. For example, The Cats musical bombed despite having lots of star power and a high budget.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
Commerce films obviously appeal to a large audience, so therefore cannot be inherently bad. However, more niche films and media are needed to take risks and stretch artistic creativity.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
Vertical integration
horizontal integration
Diversification
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I agree that whenever we make positive changes in representation there should be positive responses. There is too much praise for representing groups right in media though. It shouldn't be a great thing, it should just be the norm.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
The visual Effects industry is receiving little money because companies often bid into jobs and get a locked fee, no matter what happens during production.
10) What is commodification?
Buying or Selling.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
Not all media texts fail to reflect society, some force diversity to seem more reflective, and some don't bother trying to get across the general opinion of wider society.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed? Identify the three most significant developments and explain why you think they are the most important.
-Technology companies diversifying into cultural industries mean they now have even more competition.
-Digitisation means there are new ways of engaging with media
-Huge increase in spending on adverts and marketing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)