Ideology: blog tasks

 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 article shows how the people in power controls the ones who are powerless by manipulating them and controlling their beliefs. The powerful people in the marxist theory shows how they threaten the powerless whenever their hopes were raised.

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?
Marxist views are reprsented in the Hunger Games films, showing how the ruling class controls the working class. 

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?
The film suggests that the media has the power to threaten the powerless people if they rebel, where powerful people tries to keep thier ideologies in line with what they want.

4) What is YOUR opinion on this topic? Do you think the media shapes our values and beliefs?
For me I think that media do shape or values and beliefs as shown in the article and the idea that the media is getting used by a lot of people now where there are more people being noticed. This links to the idea of the two-step flow model as there could be some influncers that may influence other people's identities. 

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 appearances
-Good should overcome evil

2) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?
In Gramsci's theory of hegemony he suggested that those in power maintain their control through consent, rather than the use of force. 

3) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?
Althusser suggested that we are controlled through our ideologies. Through Repressive state Apparatus and Ideological state Apparatus.

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 agree that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media as there are a lot of people who uses the media that only consumes what they see without really thinking about their decisions. However, there could be some people who do actually think when consuming the media due to the idea that the media and internet are expanding which means that inadequate ideologies are expanding too but more people would be more aware about it, leading them to think carefully. This could lead to people rejecting the capitalists ideologies.


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 educates, informs and entertain. This allows the public to hear about the news and politics and it plays an important role in shaping the public agenda and forming public opinion.

2) What are the hallmarks of a free and healthy media landscape?
A free and healthy media requires several features, including media independence, pluralism, the existence of impartial outlets, and high journalistic standards.

3) What risks are identified that threaten a healthy media environment? 
The risks identified that threaten a healthy media environment are threats to broadcaster impartiality, threats to media independence, polarising content, weakened local and investigatory reporting, disinformation and misinformation and 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 regulating ownership and ethical standards is an adequate way in safeguarding the media to protect democracy. Also, the democracy in the digital age should provide free expressions and opinions from the public as well as ensuring diversity.

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