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.

Ideology is controlled by those above us,such as the people who have power over us or the rich.

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

The capitalist view is seen as selfish because there is a easy power dynamic between the rich and the poor which displays to us as the audience that the capitalist ideology has a highly negative impact on people

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

The media can portray negativity onto an audience as well as scare people due to the film showing gruesome executions of people which helps the characters want to act right because they could be next.

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

I believe that in the modern day and age the media highly influences our beliefs and values.This is because the media provides information that we as people passively consume which is not good overtime (stated in cultivation theory).Therefore the media does easily shape our values and beliefs.

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 over anyone else,women should behave in a feminine manner,people should work hard for their money,law is important

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

The people who are in power shape our ideologies which we then consume

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

-ideology shapes our identitys passively

-consumerism works through mass media to reinforce capitalist ideologies that are then reflected on audiences

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 highly believe that we are unthinkingly under control.This is because through the ideas of the hypodermic needle theory the elite class runs and injects media into our mind.We as people who are not part of the elite class are unable to reproduce our ideologies because they would be taken as not normal.Furthermore the elite class has established a mindset where their ideologies are valued and seen as normal.

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? 

The media acts as a spy in which they hold power accountable.Furthermore it helps people with decision making in voting and much more.

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

regulation,independence,freedom,impartial media

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

-hard to regulate the media

-biased news

-rise of ai

-misinformation

-misrepresentation

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 believe that regulation needs to be much more strengthened because it is not enough to stop us as people from consuming harmful news easily.Furthermore technology is a dynamic market which means the rise of ai is now consuming people too fast.However this can be stopped through regulation of the use of ai and stopping anyone from using ai.