Media Contexts
For Q3/4, you will need to show knowledge and understanding of the
influence of media contexts on some element of the industry (eg. ownership,
regulation, funding, etc.)
Social
How producers reflect
their society- the social anxieties, the agreements, conflicts and
inequalities between social groups.
Issues of class, race, inequality and
conflict.
Attitudes to gender, sexual
orientation.
Audiences categorised by psychometrics
as well as demographics.
Social identity politics- me too,
black lives matter.
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Cultural
How media products reflect their surrounding
culture- the way of life, the arts and popular culture; including cultural
change, conflicts and ideologies.
Online technology- most consume news
online and through social media.
Younger audiences prefer online over
print.
Less inclined to pay for content as
available for free digitally.
Print traditionally seen as more
prestigious than online.
Prosumers.
Convergence and synergy.
Citizen journalism.
Fake news- lack of regulation online.
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Economic
The influence of the economic system on media,
including on funding, the profit motive and competition between producers.
Journalism driven by profit motive in
free market capitalism.
Money raised from advertising
increased importance of marketing.
Loss of revenue from print news as
news moves online.
Mail owned by powerful conglomerate.
Guardian funded by Scott Trust,
quality over profit.
Paywalls and other ways of raising
revenue.
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Political
The political system and forces within which the
media operate and which they influence, particularly the effect of these on
ownership and control and regulation.
Newspaper aligned to political parties
or ideologies.
Leveson report criticised links
between politicians and newspaper producers.
UK has history of Press Freedom- no
legal interference but permitted to be politically biased.
Power of online media- fake news,
Cambridge Analytica.
IPSO
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Historical
How media products reflect historical events and
historical changes in other contexts.
Egs
Leveson enquiry
Technological progress.
Major events Brexit, Trump.
Political conflict.
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