Representations in the
Media (48 marks)
·
Representations
are rarely straightforward but are often complex and may be contradictory. What evidence is there for this in your case
study?
·
One
effect of repeated negative representation is to demonise and marginalise. How far is this true of the representation of
the group or place you have studied?
·
There
are a wide range of representations in the media and audiences are free to
choose how they interpret them. To what extent do you agree with this statement.
·
How
and why do alternative representations of the group or place you have studied
challenge mainstream values and ideology?
·
‘Constant
media stories about gang crime create a depressing and unbalanced picture of
black youngsters.’ (www.guardian.co.uk) Using the group or place you have
studied, consider whether media portrayals are more complex than simple
positive or negative representations. (48 marks)
·
How
does the representation of the group or place you have studied differ across
different media platforms or genres? Why do you think this is the case? (48
marks)
·
How
are stereotypes used by media producers and why are they so popular?
·
Audiences
are now too sophisticated to be taken in by negative and stereotypical
representations. Do you agree?
·
“1Xtra, MTV Base and
ZeeTV are all hugely popular. But whenever I watch these channels, all I see is
a ghetto... Nobody wants to be in the ghetto, OK? We all want to live in the
mainstream.”
(Lenny Henry in a speech
to the Royal Television Society, Guardian News andMedia Ltd, 2008) Why
would the group or place you have studied want to be represented in the
mainstream media?
·
A dominant
representation is one which is repeated across the media over time and so are
the values that it carries. Discuss.
·
Critics
have accused the mainstream media of tokenism and stereotyping by creating
extreme and exaggerated representations. To what extent is this true for the
group or place you have studied?
(48 marks)
·
Media
representations rarely challenge the dominant values of society nor do they
give a voice to those with little power. To what extent is this true for the
group or place you have studied? Why? (48
marks)
·
It has been said that media
representations often reflect the social and political concerns of the age in
which they are created. Discuss. (48 marks)
·
Media representations favour those
with power at the expense of those without. To what extent do you think this
statement is true? (48marks)