Media in Britain

Mass Media and Popular Culture in Britain

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Media in Britain - 1945 to 1954

Newspapers

  • Rich men - Lord Northcliff
  • Conservative - right wing, intolerant, maintain status quo
  • Paternalistic - views of men
  • Control the media, control the message
  • Shape British society

Films

  • American - Hollywood
  • British films and television
  • 1950 - Quota Act - 80%, 20%

Television

  • Documentaries - reflecting societies
  • Comedies
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Britain in the 1960s

Youth

  • Disposable income
  • Mass consumerism
  • Rebellious - 'test the boundries'
  • 'Austerity'

Music

  • The Beatles - change
  • Elvis Presley 
  • Cliff Richard

Fashion

  • More colours

Films

  • Spaghetti western
  • James Bond
  • Carry On
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Britain in the 1970s

Financial

  • Recession - result of 'oil shock' (OPEC)
  • Increased oil prices
  • Miner's strike - three-day week
  • Unemployment - Social Welfare State

Political

  • Trade Unions vs government - increase in power
  • Troubles in Nothern Ireland

Social

  • Women's liberation - militant
  • Race riots - questioned immigration
  • Developments in technology
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Politics - 1964 to 1979

February 1974

  • Conservative - 297 (38%)
  • Labour - 301 (37%)
  • Liberal Democrats - 9 (19%)

October 1974

  • Conservative - 277 (36%)
  • Labour - 319 (39%
  • Liberal Democrats - 13 (18%)
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Breakthroughs of the 1970s

  • Test tube baby - Science develops
  • Range of music and new artists introduced - for example, ABBA and Madness
  • More rights for women - Women's Liberation
  • People remained positive despite blackouts
  • More television programmes introduced
  • Respect for police
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New media in the 1980s and 1990s

Devices

  • Digital and satellite
  • Sky - Rupert Murdoch
  • Cassette tape
  • Walkman / MP3 / iPod
  • DVD
  • VCR - leisure time, Betamax

Internet

  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • Email
  • Social networking and blogging

Mobile phones

  • Improved technology
  • Smartphone
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Advantages and disadvantages of the VCR

Advantages

  • Recording
  • Watch films in your own home
  • Family videos
  • Educational
  • Inexpensive

Disadvantages

  • Piracy - illegal recordings
  • Privacy
  • Cinema attendance decreased
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