Sociology: Mass Media

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  • Created by: Grace
  • Created on: 28-05-13 13:45

Everything you need to know for the unit of Mass Media for Sociology GCSE is below, with definitions, theories, models and arguments for an against included! ENJOY!

Mass media

The significance of new media today

New media – anything that uses new technology that usually involves some process of convergence e.g. phones as they can now access the internet. New media is likely to be digital, interactive and dispersed (not controlled by a single source of professionals).

Democracy – rule by the people for the people


Users of new media and what they use it for

The general public - Social networking, shopping etc

Young people - Music downloads, social networking, education

Children - Online games and children’s websites

Single people - Social networking and dating websites

Celebrities - Promoting themselves; social networking

Criminals - Fraud, illegal download

Adults - Shopping, social networking

 

Statistics:

-  75% of households have internet access

-  80% use the internet and only 38% of those online have a social networking site.

-  Internet use is higher is younger people

-  Advertisers spend more money on internet adverts than TV adverts


The media is used for:

-  Buying and selling

-  Education

-  Social networking

-  Banking/paying bills

-  Access to news

-  Entertainment


Pros of new media on individual/society (OPTIMISTIC VIEW)


- Consumer society builds as it is cheaper and quicker for companies to advertise on the internet

- Faster for many functions such as advertising and research etc

- The internet enables us to be democratic as it allows us to see and research information

- Allows us to have more knowledge and enhances us intellectually

- Widens consumer choice


Cons of new media on individual/society (PESSIMISTIC VIEW)


- Exploits WC and MEG’s through news, stereotypes, folk devils and media ampflication

- Reinforces digital divide as the RC are more likely to posses new media

- Increases social isolation as those without new media feel less ‘involved’.

- Higher risk of criminal behaviour happening e.g. fraud, illegal downloads and paedophiles of children’s websites

- Lack of regulation – many things go uncensored and undiscovered

- Infotainment – the replacing of news information by entertainment

- Enhances the power of the powerful, risking democracy as we only see information from the side of those in power

Mass media – the system/structure that communicates information to a large audience

Convergence – when you can access the information you want on one device


New media

Phones

- Internet

- Social networking sites

- Advertisements

- Music videos/video games

Traditional media

- Newspapers

- Books

- Radio

 

Analysing the media

The Press – privately owned media that primarily communicates the news; they are profitable organisations

Broadcasting – lots is financed privately: PBS is not profit making, CSB is private and the BBC make profit through TV licenses with prices decided by the government.

The Press

Different types:

Broadsheet

- Tabloid

B - elaborate code used for the RC;

T - restricted code used for WC


Specific examples:

B – The

Comments

Brittany - Team GR

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