Ideology

Part 1: Media Magazine reading

Media Magazine issue 52 has two good articles on Ideology. You need to read those articles (our Media Magazine archive is here) and complete a few short tasks linked to them. 

Page 34: The World Of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.

The film reflects a capitalistic society and forces you to see the inequality between the rich and poor and how only the rich have real power. It also reflects the power of the media and how it can influence us. 

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?

The people are split into districts and work to provide things for the capitol. They are unequal and controlled by the people in the capitol and only work to provide for them.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?

The hunger game suggests that the media can serve as propaganda and instil fear in people to force them to obey rules or to believe certain things.

4) What is YOUR opinion on this topic? Do you think the media shapes our values and beliefs?

I think that media does shape our values and beliefs and you can tell because different places in the world who have other views will watch different things and use different apps. People can choose what they want to believe and reject what they don't. You could say that before social media and the internet that people didn't have anything to shape their values and beliefs but they had TV and could understand what was right and wrong based on what they kept seeing. 

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) What are the four accepted ideological beliefs in western societies highlighted by the article?

• People should put their families first.

• People should work hard

for their money.

• Women should behave in feminine

ways, and look after their appearance.

2) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?

They run our lives and creative freedom in order to keep peace in society.

3) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?

Ideology is our greatest material power and controls us in 2 ways:

Repressive State Control - the major institutions of society. These state agencies regulate social

behaviour and repress the masses through violence, punitive law, and fear.

Ideological State Apparatuses - such as the Church, the media,

educational institutions. These looser institutions control and dominate implicitly through ‘common sense’ acceptance and social norms, rather than through fear. 

4) Do YOU agree with the idea behind They Live - that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite? These are the big questions of A Level Media!

I think that we are controlled by the media even though it might not feel like it and I think that its very hard for people to tell or realise it.

Part 2: The role of the media in democracy

Read this Constitution Unit blog on the importance of media in democracy. This brings together our work on ownership, public service broadcasting, regulation and ideology. Answer the following questions:

1) Why is the media important in a democracy? 

It is a space where you can debate and be held accountable for what you do or say. It plays an important role in shaping public opinion.

2) What are the hallmarks of a free and healthy media landscape?

• media independence
• media pluralism
• impartial media outlets
• high standards from journalists
• regulation

3) What risks are identified that threaten a healthy media environment? 

• threats to broadcaster impartiality
• threats to media independence
• polarising content
• weakened local and investigatory reporting
• disinformation and misinformation
• monopolies

4) What is YOUR opinion on how the media can be safeguarded to protect democracy? You may want to think about ownership, regulation, technology or public service broadcasting here.

I think that the people who own these media companies should have diverse views and not all have the same opinions so that there is always both sides available and it can be truthful but it is difficult because they will all most likely be rich white men so will have beliefs that benefit them.