presentation on role of media

Media Literacy

A Basic Overview

What is Media Literacy?

• Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and communicate information in a variety of formats, both print and non-print.
• Media Literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society, as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expression necessary for citizens of a democracy.
• Center for Media Literacy

What skills do we need?

• Questioning
• Interpreting

Five Core Concepts in Media Literacy

• Media messages are constructed.
• Media messages are constructed using a unique language.
• Different people experience the same media message in different ways.
• Media are primarily businesses driven by a profit motive.
• Media have embedded values and points of view.

http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/04/adcritic_hitman_pcgamer_BIG.jpg

• Carefully manufactured products
• Create an emotional experience that looks like reality but of course is not
• Edited – what stays in, what is taken out
• Although not real, people make real meaning out of what they hear, see, or read

2. Media messages are constructed using a unique language.

• Media language is unique to each form of communication.
• Newspapers, TV Game shows, horror movies
• Language is used over and over again to convey meaning.
• Scary music = Fear
• Camera Angles convey relationships
• Headlines signify significance

3. Different people experience the same media message in different ways.

• We are all trying to “make sense” out of what we see
• Individual’s age, upbringing or background may affect experience

4. Media are primarily businesses driven by a profit motive.

• Purpose of T.V.
• Create an audience
• Bring audience to the advertisers
• Sponsors pay for ad time based on the number of people predicted to watch

5. Media have embedded values and points of view.

• “Whoever tells the story defines the culture.” David Walsh
• Choices in construction of “story” tells us who and what is important.
• Character – age, race, gender, attitudes, lifestyle
• Setting – affluent, poor, urban
• Plot – actions, reactions
• Need to learn to read media in order to judge the embedded values

UNCOVERING VALUES MESSAGES

• What is represented about personal or social relationships ?
• What political values are communicated?
• What are the economic messages?
• What is the cultural context or world view?
• Center for Media Literacy 1998

http://www.stanford.edu/class/linguist34/advertisements/43aveda/43aveda.jpg

Critical Thinking Continuum

• All is true
• Healthy Skeptics
• Judges reliability of sources, validity of facts
• Reflects on meaning and impact on personal life
• All is incorrect
• Possible conspiracy

Five Questions To Ask To Analyze Text

• Who created this message and why are they sending it?
• What techniques are being used to attract my attention?
• What lifestyles, values and points of view are represented in the message?
• How might different people understand this message differently from me?
• What is omitted from this message?

advertisements

Media Benefits

• Responsible for social change
• Part of the democratic process
• Gives us knowledge of world events
• Educates the consumer

Like what you're reading?

Everything you need to know about multimedia presentations

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera May 25, 2023

Crafting a well-executed multimedia presentation can be the determining factor between success and failure when delivering presentations. The impact of a multimedia presentation is undeniable, but what exactly does it entail, and what are the essential considerations to keep in mind when creating one?

In this article, we’ll explore the key components involved in creating compelling multimedia presentations and delve into the strategies that can help you assemble these elements to craft the perfect presentation. We’ll discuss the importance of content structure, visual design, and engaging storytelling techniques that capture your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impact. Additionally, we’ll provide insights on leveraging Prezi’s features to enhance your multimedia presentations, making them more dynamic and interactive.

What is a multimedia presentation?

A multimedia presentation is a computer-based presentation that uses various forms of media to effectively communicate and engage an audience. In today’s fast-paced world, multimedia presentations have emerged as one of the most powerful and impactful means of communication. Complex ideas and information can be challenging to convey using only traditional tools. However, by harnessing the potential of visually engaging images, high-quality audio clips, and captivating video content, you can deliver a wealth of information that isn’t only clear, but also interesting, easy to understand, contextual, detailed, and engaging.

To facilitate the creation of multimedia presentations, Prezi offers a user-friendly and intuitive platform that empowers presenters to transform their ideas into attention-grabbing visual stories that move. One of the standout features of Prezi is its dynamic zooming capability. With this feature, presenters can seamlessly navigate between various levels of content, zooming in to emphasize critical details and zooming out to provide a comprehensive overview. This interactive zooming functionality not only adds visual interest to your presentation but also enables you to guide your audience’s focus and create a fluid and engaging storytelling experience. Furthermore, the presentation canvas allows for more creativity and freedom as you don’t need to be limited by the traditional slide-based presentation format. 

The psychology of multimedia

Multimedia presentations are not just about what you say but also how you make your audience feel and remember. Let’s discover how colors, visuals, and sounds can influence your audience’s perception and memory retention.

Color psychology

Colors evoke emotions and convey messages. For instance, red can signal urgency and passion, while blue suggests trust and calmness. Choose your color palette wisely to align with the emotions you want to portray to your audience.

Visual impact

Visuals are your secret weapon. The brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. Use attention-grabbing images and graphics that resonate with your message. For example, if you’re presenting about eco-friendly initiatives, images of lush forests and clear skies can speak volumes.

Soundscapes

Sound can set the mood and reinforce key points. Think about the background music in movies – it enhances the overall emotional impact of a scene. In your presentation, use background music or sound effects thoughtfully to complement your content.

Memory retention

Did you know that people tend to remember only about 10% of what they hear after three days? However, if you pair that information with relevant visuals, retention jumps to 65%. Craft your multimedia presentation with this in mind; use visuals to reinforce your message for better recall.

Incorporate these psychological cues effectively, and your multimedia presentation will not only capture attention but also leave a lasting imprint on your audience’s memory.

Which elements can be included in a multimedia presentation?

Multimedia presentations have come a long way from the relatively simplistic options of the past. Now a whole range of different elements can be used to ensure your stand-alone presentation wows your intended audience. Some of the examples of what you can add to your multimedia presentations include:

• Slides: Slides are the backbone of most multimedia presentations. They consist of visual elements like text, images, graphs, and charts. Slides help you organize information and guide your audience through your presentation. For example, in a business pitch, slides can showcase product images, market data, and key points.
• Videos: Videos add motion and life to your presentation. You can use them to demonstrate processes, showcase testimonials, or provide visual explanations. In an educational setting, a biology lecture might include videos of animal behaviors or experiments.
• Audio clips: Audio clips can range from background music to voiceovers. They enhance the auditory experience of your presentation. In a travel presentation, you might include the sounds of waves crashing on a beach to create a more immersive feel.
• Animations: Animations breathe life into static content. They can illustrate processes, emphasize key points, or add a touch of humor. In a marketing presentation, animations can show how a product evolves or highlight its unique features.
• Music: Music sets the mood and tone of your presentation. It can create excitement, relaxation, or suspense. In a fashion show presentation, music may compliment the models’ walk down the runway, enhancing the overall experience.
• Images: Images are powerful visual aids. They can create certain emotions, provide context, and simplify complex ideas. In a history lecture, images of historical events and figures help students visualize the past.
• Text: Text is one of the most crucial parts of your content. It provides information, explanations, and key points. In a scientific presentation, text can explain research findings or provide definitions of complex terms.
• Podcasts: Podcasts are audio presentations that offer in-depth discussions or storytelling. They are excellent for sharing interviews, discussions, or storytelling. In a business conference, you might use a podcast-style presentation to share insights from industry experts.
• Pop-ups: Pop-ups are interactive elements that can surprise and excite your audience. They can include clickable links, additional information, or even mini-quizzes. In an e-learning module, pop-ups can provide learners with instant feedback on their progress.

For any professional who wants to stand out from the crowd with multimedia presentations that truly dazzle and inspire, Prezi’s multimedia platform brings you everything you need.

Choosing the right multimedia for your presentation subject

When creating a multimedia presentation, it’s crucial to select the appropriate multimedia elements that align with your presentation subject. By choosing the right multimedia, you can effectively convey your message, enhance understanding, and captivate your audience. Consider the following factors when selecting multimedia for your presentation:

Content relevance: does it fit your message?

Evaluate the relevance of each multimedia element to your presentation subject. Determine how each element contributes to the overall message and supports your key points. Choose multimedia that directly relates to your topic and enhances the understanding and engagement of your audience.

Visual impact: how visually appealing is it?

Visual elements play a significant role in multimedia presentations. Assess the visual impact of different multimedia options such as images, videos, and animations. Opt for high-quality visuals that are visually appealing, clear, and reinforce your message. Balance aesthetics with substance to maintain a professional and engaging presentation.

Audio enhancement: does it complement your content?

Determine if your presentation would benefit from audio elements such as background music, sound effects, or voiceovers. Audio can evoke emotions, set the mood, and reinforce key points. However, use audio sparingly and ensure it complements your content rather than overpowering it.

Data visualization: can it simplify complex data?

If your presentation involves data or statistics, explore options for effective data visualization. Choose charts, graphs, or maps that you can find on Prezi and incorporate those into your presentation. These elements will help you present complex information in a clear and digestible format. Visualizing data will also help your audience grasp the main points quickly and facilitate better comprehension. 

Multimedia integration: do all elements work together?

Aim for a cohesive and seamless integration of multimedia elements into your presentation. Ensure that different multimedia components blend well together and create a unified visual and auditory experience. Avoid using too many diverse multimedia elements that may distract or overwhelm your audience.

Accessibility considerations: is it accessible to everyone?

Keep accessibility in mind when selecting multimedia elements. Ensure that any visual or audio content you include is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Provide captions or transcripts for videos and ensure that any audio content is accompanied by text summaries. Consider the needs of all your audience members to ensure an inclusive and engaging presentation.

Technical feasibility: will it work smoothly during your presentation?

Assess the technical feasibility of incorporating various multimedia elements into your presentation. Consider the equipment and software requirements for displaying and playing different multimedia formats. Test the compatibility and functionality of multimedia elements in the presentation environment to avoid any technical glitches during your actual presentation.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right multimedia elements that enhance your presentation’s effectiveness and engage your audience. Remember, the key is to strike a balance between informative content, compelling visuals, and appropriate interactivity to create a memorable and impactful multimedia presentation. 

What makes an effective multimedia presentation?

An effective multimedia presentation is like a good book you can’t put down or a catchy new song you hear on the radio that you can’t stop humming to all day long – it has your audience instantly engaged and wanting more. 

Gone are the days when we were limited to presentations that only featured text and basic graphics. Nowadays, using a combination of audio, video, and images can help anyone effectively communicate their message to any audience.

Prezi enables users to create attention-grabbing presentations that move their audience. You can create your own presentation from scratch or start out with a template that you can find in Prezi’s template gallery.

8 things to consider when creating a multimedia presentation

Creating a multimedia presentation can be very straightforward. It just requires some basic planning and preparation and the correct tools to implement those plans. Follow these steps when enhancing a presentation with multimedia.

What is your message?

What exactly are you presenting, and what key messages do you wish to communicate to your audience? Take time to thoroughly think through these questions before constructing your multimedia presentation.

Who is your audience? 

You must understand who exactly your audience is. After all, there is likely a huge difference between what might work best with 20-something IT specialists or a group of senior management. Are you hoping to sell a product to potential investors? Delivering a quarterly report to your bosses? Or preparing a presentation for a job interview? Be very clear about who your audience is.

Preparation is vital, and with it comes research. You can’t wait to get started creating your new multimedia presentation. And the temptation is often to begin without first investigating fantastic examples of other people’s work for ideas or not taking advantage of Prezi’s awesome customizable presentations that are freely available to you, the user. Simply head over to Prezi’s Gallery and get inspired!

Create your content outline

What content do you wish to include in your presentation? Once you have decided, it’s time to create a content outline for your multimedia presentation. You can begin building the structure of your presentation by splitting your topic into separate ideas that run in a clear, logical sequence. If you want to learn more about how to create an effective presentation structure, watch the following video:

Decide which visualization mediums work best 

There are literally dozens of visualization mediums to choose from. The hard part sometimes is deciding which of these works best for you. Options include GIFs, short animation clips, audio clips, TED Talk video clips – the list goes on and on. The great news is that you can easily integrate all of these elements into your Prezi presentation. What’s more, Prezi has an extensive library of different multimedia elements like GIFs, stickers, images, icons, and more that you can pick and choose while creating your presentation.

Utilize templates

You might start entirely from scratch, building the presentation from the bottom up, which is great if you already have a clear idea in your mind. However, if you’re still trying to figure out what you want the end result to look like or want to spend less time on presentation design, explore the numerous tried and tested templates available on Prezi. You’ll discover various templates that are great for multimedia presentations.

It’s time to add your multimedia 

Don’t overdo the types of multimedia content you use in your presentation. Why? Because using too many different kinds can feel overwhelming and a little too ‘show offish’. Focus on 2-4 types of content that will work best with your target audience. Try to hit that balance between simplicity and style. If you are using video or animation, use it occasionally.

If you need to present online, take advantage of Prezi Video’s option to share your content next to you on-screen during your presentation. This will engage your audience and keep them hooked throughout your multimedia presentation even online.

Review and analyze your work

Your multimedia presentation is ready. Or is it? Invest some time reviewing your presentation. Is it clearly structured and cohesive? Do the multimedia elements you have added achieve what you wanted them to achieve? Be honest with yourself and trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right with your presentation, don’t be afraid to make changes! 

Best practices for delivering a multimedia presentation

Delivering a multimedia presentation requires careful planning and execution to effectively engage and captivate your audience. Follow these best practices to ensure that you leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Know your material

Familiarize yourself with the content of your presentation to make sure you can confidently deliver it without relying too heavily on notes. Thoroughly understand the key points, supporting evidence, and transitions between different sections. This will enable you to maintain a natural flow and deliver a confident presentation. Also, consider using Presenter Notes . They serve as a reminder of important talking points and additional information during your presentation. Only visible to you, the presenter, the notes remain hidden from the audience. This allows you to effectively communicate your points without any interruptions.

Practice timing

Time your presentation to ensure it fits within the allocated time frame. Practice transitions between different multimedia elements, such as slides, videos, and interactive features, to maintain a smooth flow. Keep in mind that pacing is crucial, so allocate sufficient time for each part of your presentation while maintaining an engaging pace.

Use visual aids strategically

Visual aids are a powerful tool for conveying information and enhancing understanding. However, it’s essential to use them strategically to support and highlight your message, rather than distract from it. Use visuals sparingly and ensure they’re clear, visually appealing, and easy to understand. Avoid cluttered slides and prioritize concise and impactful visuals that reinforce your key points. If you want to learn more about good presentation design practices when it comes to adding visual content, watch the following video on the topic: 

Speak clearly and confidently

Effective communication is key to delivering a memorable presentation. Project your voice to ensure everyone in the audience can hear you clearly. Maintain eye contact with your audience to establish a connection and demonstrate confidence. Speak with clarity and conviction, emphasizing key points and using appropriate pauses for emphasis. A confident and engaging delivery will help your audience connect with your message.

Incorporate storytelling techniques

Storytelling is a powerful way to engage and captivate your audience. Incorporate storytelling techniques to create a narrative structure for your presentation. Begin with a compelling introduction that sets the stage and grabs attention. Use storytelling elements such as anecdotes, examples, and personal experiences to illustrate your points and make the content relatable and memorable. A well-crafted story can evoke emotions and leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Practice with technology

Familiarize yourself with the multimedia tools and technology you will be using during the presentation. In particular, get to know the endless features and capabilities of Prezi, the powerful multimedia presentation tool. Take the time to explore its features and understand how it can enhance your presentation. Familiarize yourself with the different templates, transitions, and interactive elements available. By mastering Prezi, you’ll be able to create attention-grabbing presentations that move.

Adapt to the audience

Tailor your presentation to resonate with your specific audience. Consider their demographics, interests, and background when delivering your content. Use language that is accessible and appropriate for your audience, avoiding jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar. Incorporate relevant examples and references that relate to their experiences. By adapting your presentation to their needs and preferences, you can create a stronger connection and enhance their overall engagement.

Engage the audience

Use interactive features to involve your audience and make the presentation more engaging. Incorporate audience polling, where participants can vote or provide feedback on specific questions or topics. Additionally, include dedicated Q&A sessions to encourage active participation and address any queries or concerns. Engaging the audience in this way promotes interaction and makes your presentation more dynamic. 

Ask for feedback

You can practice your presentation in front of people to get honest feedback. This way you can make any changes or work on specific areas that may need tweaking before the real thing. After your real presentation, you may even want to seek feedback from your audience to gather insights on what worked well and areas for improvement.

Remember, a well-delivered multimedia presentation is a combination of interesting content, effective visuals, and confident delivery. By following these best practices, you can create an engaging experience for everyone in the room.

How to engage your audience with interactive multimedia presentations

In addition to the essential components and best practices we’ve discussed, incorporating interactive elements can take your multimedia presentations to the next level. By engaging your audience in an interactive experience, you can captivate their attention and create a memorable presentation. Let’s explore some strategies for incorporating interactivity into your multimedia presentations:

Interactive charts

Instead of static images, use interactive charts to convey data and complex information. Allow your audience to explore different data points, toggle between visualizations, and interact with the content. This hands-on approach enhances understanding and engagement.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) 

If applicable, consider incorporating VR or AR elements into your multimedia presentations. These technologies provide immersive experiences that can transport your audience to different environments or allow them to interact with virtual objects. VR and AR can be particularly effective in fields such as architecture, education, and product demonstrations.

Gamification

Introduce gamification elements to make your presentation more interactive and enjoyable. Create quizzes, challenges, or interactive scenarios that require audience participation. Offer rewards or incentives for active engagement, such as badges or prizes.

Collaborative activities

Foster collaboration among your audience by including interactive activities. For example, you can divide your audience into small groups or pairs and provide specific tasks or discussions related to your presentation topic. Encourage participants to share their insights or findings with the larger group afterward.

Live demonstrations

If possible, incorporate live demonstrations of software, tools, or processes directly into your presentation. Showcasing practical examples in real-time can enhance understanding and engage the audience through active participation.

Remember, interactivity should align with your presentation goals and content. Incorporate interactive elements strategically to support your message and keep your audience engaged throughout the presentation. Prezi offers various interactive features and templates to help you create dynamic and immersive multimedia presentations.

By embracing interactivity, you can transform your multimedia presentations into memorable experiences that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Common concerns with multimedia presentations

People often share some common concerns when diving into multimedia presentations. Here are a few of those concerns and simple solutions to tackle them:

Technical glitches

• Worry: Fear of technical issues derailing your presentation.
• Solution: Always have a backup plan in case technology decides to be temperamental. Test your setup beforehand to avoid unexpected surprises.

Media overload

• Worry: The fear of overwhelming your audience with too much media.
• Solution: Strike a balance by using multimedia elements strategically. Less can often be more when it comes to engaging your audience effectively.

The evolution of multimedia tools

The world of multimedia presentation tools has seen quite a transformation over the years, making the process more user-friendly and accessible than ever before. Platforms like Prezi are at the forefront of this evolution, continuously updating and improving the presentation creation process. With intuitive interfaces and a wide range of creative options at your fingertips, multimedia tools have truly democratized the art of multimedia presentations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the presentation scene, the evolution of multimedia tools has made it easier than ever to craft the perfect presentation.

Multimedia presentation examples 

Your audience will immediately lose interest if all you offer them is a traditional slide deck. Instead, take advantage of Prezi’s Gallery and get inspired by dynamic, interactive, and engaging presentations that include various multimedia elements.

Below are a few examples of attention-grabbing and creative multimedia presentations that you can get inspired by or even reuse as templates for your own presentation topic.

Summer Plans presentation

The summer plans presentation inspires and captivates. The template is perfect for delivering a story, sharing an experience, or presenting a plan. It features multiple media elements, such as animations, images, and data visualizations. 

Why Leaders Need to Get Out of Their Own Way presentation

This presentation grabs our attention with its visually appealing design and strategic use of visuals. The simple yet engaging layout divides the presentation into four parts, creating a well-defined structure that is easy to follow. You can reuse this presentation as a template for delivering a topic that you need to unpack in a certain order. 

Corporate Social Responsibility presentation

This multimedia presentation engages and captivates with animations, images, icons, and more. As a template, it’s perfect for creating and delivering informative presentations, where you need to dive into the details of certain topics.

Earth Day presentation

The Earth Day presentation is a great example of how one can create a timeline presentation with Prezi. It includes various media elements that make this multimedia presentation highly engaging and informative.

Future-proofing your presentations

To make sure your multimedia presentations stay useful and up-to-date in the long run, here are some straightforward tips:

Pick the right formats

• Use common file types like PDF, MP4, and JPEG since they’re likely to stay usable in the future.

Keep things fresh

• Don’t let your content get old. Update it regularly with new information and visuals to keep it interesting and relevant.

Fit different screens

• Make your multimedia presentations so they can work on big screens and small devices like phones or tablets.

Try new tech

• Keep an eye on new technologies like virtual reality and interactive features. They can make your presentations more exciting and modern.

Listen to your audience

• Pay attention to what your audience likes and dislikes. Their feedback can help you improve your multimedia presentations and keep them interesting.

With these easy steps, you can make sure your multimedia presentations will still be great in the future!

Create attention-grabbing multimedia presentations with Prezi

In conclusion, crafting a well-executed multimedia presentation is crucial for achieving success in delivering presentations. This article has explored the key components involved in creating compelling multimedia presentations and provided insights on how to assemble these elements effectively. By considering the importance of content structure, visual design, and engaging storytelling techniques, presenters can capture their audience’s attention and leave a lasting impact. Furthermore, leveraging Prezi’s features can enhance multimedia presentations, making them more dynamic and interactive. By incorporating these strategies and utilizing the right tools, presenters can elevate their presentations to a new level and increase their chances of achieving their desired outcomes. Ultimately, mastering the art of multimedia presentations opens up opportunities for effective communication and successful presentations in various professional and academic settings.

Give your team the tools they need to engage

Like what you’re reading join the mailing list..

• Prezi for Teams
• Top Presentations

12.1 The Media as a Political Institution: Why Does It Matter?

Learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Explain the importance of a free press both in the United States and abroad.
• Describe how the media acts as a watchdog and give examples.
• Understand and define how political information is mediated.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. —The 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution

The press is the only profession explicitly protected in the United States Constitution. Many attribute this protection to James Madison and his writings in the Federalist Papers , but the idea of a free press stretches back to well before Madison wrote out his ideas on what constitutes a perfect democracy. The origins of the free press in the United States can be traced back to Cato’s letters , a collection of essays written in the 1720s by two British writers, John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon . Using the pseudonym Cato, they published their articles in the British press, criticizing the British monarchy for its corruption and tyrannical practices. Decades later, American colonists felt the effects of these letters during their own struggles against the Crown, 1 and in 1776, Virginia became the first state to formally adopt a constitutional provision to protect press freedom. 2 Why is the idea of protecting the press so embedded in the United States’ concept of government, and why is this concept so important? Do other nations protect the media to the same extent, or even more? The next section will examine these questions.

The Fourth Estate and Freedom of the Press

The importance of a free press can be boiled down to a sentence from esteemed University of Illinois at Chicago lecturer Doris Graber ’s seminal work Mass Media and American Politics : “The mass media . . . serve as powerful guardians of political norms because the American people believe that a free press should keep them informed about the wrongdoings of government.” 3 Another common way of defining the media’s role is to say that it acts as the fourth estate , or the unofficial fourth branch of government that checks the others. The term fourth estate is credited to Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle , who wrote, “Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporter’s Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.” 4 In other words, people look to the media—the fourth estate—to keep the government in check. The role of the media must be protected if it is to carry out that task.

Throughout US history, the media has fulfilled this role as intended. In the late 1960s, Rand Corporation analyst Daniel Ellsberg provided classified documents to the New York Times and the Washington Post proving that the government was concealing protracted military involvement in the Vietnam War. The New York Times withstood government pressure and a Supreme Court case to go on to publish a series of articles now known as the Pentagon Papers , which revealed the extent to which the American public had been lied to about the country’s progress in that war. The Watergate scandal is perhaps the most famous example of press freedom and the role of the press as watchdog (another term for the fourth estate ). In this instance, a government informant known as Deep Throat fed Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein confidential information about then president Richard Nixon’s corrupt campaign practices. An ensuing series of investigative pieces by the two journalists revealed multiple abuses of power in Nixon’s reelection campaign, and their reporting ultimately led to the indictment of multiple presidential aides and the eventual resignation of the president himself.

In this video clip, investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, editor Barry Sussman, and former executive editor Ben Bradlee recall how, when they worked for the Washington Post in 1972, they broke the story of the Watergate scandal, a story that started with an investigation of a break-in at a Washington, DC, hotel and led to a constitutional crisis, the resignation of President Richard Nixon, and almost 50 criminal convictions.

In the case of the Pentagon Papers, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the president’s argument—that prior restraint 5 was necessary in order to protect national security—was not enough “to abrogate the fundamental law embodied in the First Amendment ,” 6 and this is the most important First Amendment case because it addresses the sweeping right of the press and press protections in the 20th century. Watergate showed how a protected press is free to serve one of its main purposes, which is to reveal government misconduct. New Yorker staff writer Richard Harris wrote at the time that, “The press was potentially Mr. Nixon’s enemy—far more than the courts or Congress, because only the press could dig out and tell the story (whatever help reporters might get from the courts or Congress) in a way that would arouse the people to demand an accounting.” 7

Watchdogs do not have to be journalistic behemoths like the New York Times or the Washington Post. In the United Kingdom, a small, independent newspaper called the Rochdale Alternative Paper revealed decades-long abuse allegations against Liberal Party MP 8 Cyril Smith . The exposé in the paper, which had a circulation of 8,000 at its highest, 9 eventually led to both a police and an independent government investigation into a child abuse ring that involved several high-level government officials, including MP Peter Morrison, the private secretary to then prime minister Margaret Thatcher . 10 Another way to understand the watchdog function of the press is through the term muckraker , referring to reform-minded investigative journalists during the Progressive Era in the United States (late 1800s to early 1900s) who exposed the wrongdoings of industry leaders. One famous example of a muckraker was Upton Sinclair , who wrote the novel The Jungle based on the corrupt and inhumane practices in American meatpacking companies at the turn of the 20th century. The publication of The Jungle led to governmental action on food safety. In his 1919 work The Brass Check , Sinclair exposed the journalism industry’s penchant for yellow journalism , or journalism that relies on catchy titles and human interest stories to drive sales over well-researched articles or pieces on civic affairs. Sinclair was not afraid to take on media titans such as William Randolph Hearst , who owned the nation’s largest chain of newspapers at the time.

Watchdogs and muckrakers act as a check on government action and corruption. They play an important part in exercising the role of a free press as a cornerstone of a functioning democracy. As Yale University professor and member of the Council on Foreign Relations Timothy Snyder writes, “If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so.” 11 The media allows the public to understand what is happening in government in order to hold elected officials accountable. Or, perhaps more simply put, “A free press is important because it is the freedom upon which all of our other freedoms are contingent.” 12

How free is the press? The answer is not black and white, as evidenced by the 2021 World Press Freedom Index . Published every year by Reporters Without Borders , the Freedom Index measures freedom in 180 countries “based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists in each country and region.” 13 The map in Figure 12.3 below shows that the press is freer in some countries (in pink and purple on the map) than in others (in blue and green).

According to the index and as reflected in the map, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have the freest presses in the world. Notably, Norway tries to discourage media concentration in order to ensure a variety of outlets, something that will be discussed in later parts of this chapter. The 2021 index ranked the United States 44th, after South Africa (32nd), Botswana (38th), and South Korea (42nd).

George Mason University professor Sam Lebovic explains that two main factors, the rise of concentration in ownership and increased state secrecy, are responsible for the inadequacy of press freedom in the United States, which is an ongoing and serious problem. 14 The modern US media faces unprecedented struggles against declining viewership and revenues, which work to limit the number of outlets and decrease the number of working journalists. At the same time, legislation such as the Patriot Act , passed after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has made it more difficult for the press to verify state information because of increasing pressure on sources not to cooperate and prosecution of journalists who do ascertain information. In addition, the Trump administration further hampered press freedoms through the prosecution of news sources, public statements that discredited journalists, and encouragement of foreign leaders to take steps to restrict their own media. 15 The future of press freedom in America, while still unstable due to media concentration and surveillance laws such as the Patriot Act, may show some signs of improvement; in a speech on Press Freedom Day in 2021, President Joe Biden decried the imprisonment of 274 reporters worldwide, criticized the lack of local media outlets, and said that the United States “recognize[s] the integral role a free press plays in building prosperous, resilient, and free societies.” 16 Despite these laudatory comments about a free press, however, it is clear the United States faces challenges in protecting journalists’ ability to fulfill their roles.

A study of the United States and Latin America provides an example of how this idea of the importance of a free press is shared across cultures. In the study, journalists representing both cultures shared a common definition of a free press as one that functions without government pressure and to promote social and economic development. 17 This study considered whether or not a free press is related to increased economic development, a question that to date has not been conclusively answered. While the notion that political freedoms (such as freedom of the press) should naturally encourage economic growth and increased standards of living is a common one, current research has not found conclusive evidence either supporting or refuting the claim. 18

There is more of a consensus on the benefits of a free press when it comes to preventing corruption. Studies of press freedom around the world, conducted by scholars in England, Argentina, and Australia, confirm this theory. 19 In this way, the watchdog role that the press plays is based on democratic ideals and has real-world effects for the public.

The Mediated Nature of Political Information

The political information most people receive is mediated information . What does this mean? Unless they work directly in government, most citizen’s understanding of politics comes completely from the media, whether via television news, podcasts, or social media feeds. The media may be a gatekeeper, but it is also a storyteller. As such, it is important to realize that what people see in the media is actually a manufactured view of the political world. Journalists and others who create the news follow routines and are influenced by institutional values that manifest themselves in media content. As Columbia University professor Herbert Gans writes in his study of the American media, “The news does not limit itself to reality judgments; it also contains values, or preference statements. This in turn makes it possible to suggest that there is, underlying the news, a picture of nation and society as it ought to be.” 20 Gans acknowledges that professional journalists try to be objective, yet the news does in fact make judgments and value statements. For example, crime news alerts viewers to the idea that there are undesirable actors within society and that criminals should be punished. Judgments and value statements such as these are different from political bias; while some news outlets are overtly liberal or conservative, Gans’s study shows that the media produces stories with cultural values that people may not detect because they are so used to seeing stories presented this way. For example, according to Gans, ethnocentrism and altruistic democracy are two of the key enduring values in the news. Ethnocentrism in the news refers to the idea that the American media values the United States above all other nations. This manifests most obviously in war coverage, where the press rarely questions American involvement—and to do so would be unpatriotic. In a similar vein, Gans explains that the American news media emphasize an altruistic democracy , the ideal held up by the media that politics should be based on public service and for the public interest. 21 In these ways, the news makes statements about what is right and what is wrong and presents political news through these lenses.

Journalists also share other professional values as to what makes a “good” news story, such as proximity, negativity, scope (how big is the story?), timeliness, and unexpectedness (novelty). 22 Because journalists share these professional values, there is a certain homogeneous quality to the news, otherwise known as pack journalism . This means that people receive the same type of news story repeatedly, though this has been changing since the advent of online news, a topic that will be discussed later in the chapter. Journalists’ common ideas about what should be in the news and why color their coverage and presentation of the news—and, as a result, the public’s perception of politics.

It is important here to note that the concept of news values differs across countries—what is newsworthy in the United States may not be in other nations—and the role of the media differs as well. A study on the news in Japan found that strong cultural forces and local needs drive how news is produced and delivered. 23 Other scholars have found that Western news organizations highlight human interest stories, while Arabic news focuses more on social responsibility and Islamic values. 24 University of Leicester Professor Vincent Campbell echoes the sentiment that news organizations in different countries are fueled by different values and that this influences what stories their audiences see. In authoritarian countries, journalists focus less on performing the watchdog role and more on promoting state activities. 25 This is the case in countries such as North Korea and China, where the state government runs the media.

Related to the idea that the media in large part decides what is a good news story is the concept of the media’s gatekeeping role and its agenda-setting powers. In other words, according to agenda-setting theory , the media decides both what to ignore or filter out and what to show the public. As University of Texas professor Maxwell McCombs and University of North Carolina professor Donald Shaw write, “In choosing and displaying news, editors, newsroom staff, and broadcasters play an important part in shaping political reality. Readers learn not only about a given issue, but also how much importance to attach to that issue from the amount of information in a news story and its position.” 26 Whether it is a producer who selects the topics for the evening news or an algorithm that creates a social media news feed, people know what is “news” by what is fed to them, they know what is important based on how often it gets airtime, and they understand that there are lead stories and stories that don’t matter very much. The public doesn’t make these decisions; professionals within the news industry make them for the public. (Later parts of this chapter will discuss how this power dynamic has changed thanks to social media and how, in many ways, it is no longer media professionals who select what the public sees.)

If the media decides which stories to present, it also has a hand in deciding how stories are presented. According to framing theory , the way the media frames political information can affect people’s understanding of it. University of Illinois professor David Tewksbury and University of Wisconsin professor Dietram A. Scheufele explain:

“Artists know that the frame placed around a painting can affect how viewers interpret and react to the painting itself. . . . Journalists—often subconsciously—engage in essentially the same process when they decide how to describe the political world. They choose images and words that have the power to influence how audiences interpret and evaluate issues and policies.” 27

For example, a study on gubernatorial races found that female candidates were more likely to be framed in terms of personal characteristics than their male counterparts, who were more likely to be framed in terms of their positions on policy issues. 28 In a separate study, researchers found that one common way the Dutch national media framed news on the European Union (EU) was in terms of assigning responsibility for social problems to the government. This study suggests that the Dutch media’s presentation of political news reflects the public expectation that the government will provide social welfare programs. 29 By highlighting certain aspects of a story and ignoring others, frames can affect people’s judgments and opinions on policy issues, and just as with agenda setting, elected officials fight to make sure they are framed in the correct light.

The public, and individual viewers, should know that while the media is a critical tool that aids people’s political decision-making, it is guided by professional values that dictate the content. Individuals’ views on politics can sometimes be out of their control, but they can work to assemble a better picture of the world by turning to a variety of media outlets and becoming aware of what goes into story selection. While internal pressures (such as professional norms) or external forces (such as authoritarian governments) can influence how the media portrays information, ownership can also affect what the public sees. The next section will examine the different types of media—and, perhaps more importantly, who owns them and how this affects their role in the political world.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Introduction to Political Science
• Publication date: May 18, 2022
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/1-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-political-science/pages/12-1-the-media-as-a-political-institution-why-does-it-matter

© Jan 3, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser.

US government and civics

Course: us government and civics   >   unit 6.

• Media as a linkage institution

The media: lesson overview

Key takeaways, review questions, want to join the conversation.

• Upvote Button navigates to signup page
• Downvote Button navigates to signup page
• Flag Button navigates to signup page

• ⋮⋮⋮ ×

Using Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning

Developed by G. Dirk Mateer , Penn State University, with considerable help from Linda S. Ghent , Eastern Illinois University, Tod Porter, Youngstown State University and Ray Purdom, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

What is Using Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning?

Media can be a component of active learning strategies such as group discussions or case studies. Media could be a a film clip, a song you hear on the radio, podcast of a lecture or newspaper article. Students can also create their own media. For example, student video projects can be a powerful learning experience.

Why Teach with Media to Enhance Teaching and Learning?

How to teach with media to enhance teaching and learning, examples of using media to enhance teaching and learning.

      Next Page »

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

The Role of the Media in a democracy

Related Papers

International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences

ibrahim ukka

The media is the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Media as control over the three pillars and underpin their performance with checks and balances. to be able to perform its role should be upheld the freedom of the press in conveying public information in an honest and balanced manner. besides that also to uphold this fourth pillar, the media must also be free from capitalism and politics. Media that does not merely support the interests of the owners of capital and perpetuates political power without considering the interests of the larger society. the possibility of freedom of the press institution that is captured by the interests of capitalism and politics, encourages the spirit of citizen journalism. the term citizen journalism to explain the processing and presentation of news by citizens rather than professional journalists. journalism activities undertaken by citizens as a manifestation of aspirations and the delivery of popul...

Gizem Sadak

Democracy, which consists of the combination of demos meaning "people" in the Greek language and kratos meaning "administration", means management of the people. However, a model in which the public directly shapes the management process is not available at any time in modern history. Therefore, it's more realistic to express democracy as a management model in which the real representatives of the people have the power to make decisions. Cincotta (2013), also explains Democracy as, "Democracy…is defined, basically, as government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it's by the people through their elected agents, Or, in the memorable phrase of President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people" (p.1). One of the factors that strengthens democracy is the media. As Ababa (2019) indicates, free, objective and competent media-plays a vital role in democracy. Media delivers information that allows voters to make informed choices within and outside the voting booth as well as can also contribute to the political process by encouraging politicians to respond to the citizens and to work on subjects of actual public interest. (p.9) In the light of Ababa's arguments, we could say that media is the tool that bridges between people and the government along with contributes to the democratic conduct of the state. There is a strong dependency between the media and democracy. The media institution is supposed to function as an informing authority and must mediate between government and citizens, among the politicians, also enables the communication between the citizens. Moreover, to give a place for freedom of expression. Lastly, to be the fourth arm of the

Interal Res journa Managt Sci Tech

Emmanuel R Marabuka

Since the 17 th century, the role of the press as Fourth Estate and as a forum for public discussion and debate has been recognized. Today, despite the mass media's propensity for sleaze, sensationalism and superficiality, the notion of the media as watchdog, as guardian of the public interest, and as a conduit between governors and the governed remains deeply ingrained. The reality, however, is that the media in new and restored democracy do not always live up to the ideal. They are hobbled by stringent laws, monopolistic ownership, and sometimes, the threat of brute force. State controls are not the only constraints. Serious reporting is difficult to sustain in competitive media markets that put a premium on the shallow and sensational. Moreover, the media are sometimes used as proxies in the battle between rival political groups, in the process sowing divisiveness rather than consensus, hate speech instead of sober debate, and suspicion rather than social trust. In these cases, the media contribute to public cynicism and democratic decay. Still, in many fledgling democracies, the media have been able to assert their role in buttressing and deepening democracy. Investigative reporting, which in some cases has led to the ouster of presidents and the fall of corrupt governments, has made the media an effective and credible watchdog and boosted its credibility among the public. Investigative reporting has also helped accustom officials to an inquisitive press and helped build a culture of openness and disclosure that has made democratically elected governments more accountable. Training for journalists, manuals that arm reporters with research tools, and awards for investigative reporting have helped create a corps of independent investigative journalists in several new and restored democracies. Democracy requires the active participation of citizens. Ideally, the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilising the public. In many new democracies, radio has become the medium of choice, as it is less expensive and more accessible. FM and community radio have been effective instruments for promoting grassroots democracy by airing local issues,

YoonJeong Park

Afshin Ismaeli

This thesis examines the professional notion and attitudes of journalists in Kurdistan region, highlighting improvements in media performances in addition to indicating to the role of journalists in developing democracies and specific conflicts of journalists with societal norms, political and economic interests. Iraqi Kurdistan is an example of democratic transition in the middle of conflict hot zone. The study is based on qualitative interviews with journalists and managers of Rudaw media network.

Christian E Rieck

Mukul Sharma

MODERN politics is largely a mediated politics, experienced by most citizens through their broadcast and print media of choice. Any study of democracy in contemporary conditions is, therefore, also a study of how the media report and interpret political events and issues, and how media itself influences the political processes and shapes public opinion. Thus, media has become central to politics and public life in contemporary democracy. Access to media is one of the key measures of power and equality. Media can shape power and participation in society in negative ways, by obscuring the motives and interests behind political decisions, or in positive ways, by promoting the involvement of people in those decisions. In this respect the media and governance equation becomes important. Media occupies a space that is constantly contested, which is subject to organizational and technological restructuring, to economic, cultural and political constraints, to commercial pressures and to changing professional practices. The changing contours of this space can lead to different patterns of domination and agenda-setting and to different degrees of openness and closure in terms of access, patterns of ownership, available genres, types of disclosure and range of opinions represented. Although it is intrinsically difficult to theorize about the complexities implied in this formulation, the implications of the empirical outcomes of the struggle over this terrain are crucial for the ways in which they help or hinder democratic governance. For this reason journalists and their audiences, when they first read, hear or see news, should always ask the irreverent question: 'Says who?' This may be bad news for the official managers of society, but it will be good news for democracy. In a democratic society, therefore, the role of the media assumes seminal importance. Democracy implies participative governance, and it is the media that informs people about various problems of society, which makes those wielding power on their behalf answerable to them. That the actions of the government and the state, and the efforts of competing parties and interests to exercise political power should be underpinned and legitimized by critical scrutiny and informed debate facilitated by the institutions of the media is a normative assumption uniting the political spectrum. It has been further remarked by Davis Merritt, in his work Public Journalism and Public Life that what journalists should bring to the arena of public life is knowledge of the rules – how the public has decided a democracy should work – and the ability and willingness to provide relevant information and a place for that information to be discussed and turned into

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

Viorel Paleu

Synergismus …

Deise Dalazen Castagnara

MTA ELTE Egyetemtörténeti Kutatócsoport

Arif Fanani

Monica Waterhouse

Mini-invasive Surgery

François Montagne

ortwin renn

Fertility and Sterility

Maria Auxiliadora Silva

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis

ERMA PERWITASARI

Miguel Aguilar

Cadernos Cajuína

Pedro Teixeira

Denis Herlambang

Bishwajeet Saikia

Salud Pública de México

Journal of Biblical Literature

Douglas A Knight

Asian Review of Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Chika Mgbemena

Animal Feed Science and Technology

Martin Shem

Journal of Clinical Investigation

Investigação científica nas ciências exatas e da terra (Atena Editora)

Atena Editora

Croatica chemica acta

Peter Gille

Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology

Danko Vrdoljak

Frontiers in Veterinary Science

raquel Diez

Silvia Mihaylova

See More Documents Like This

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

The Role of the Media and Crime

Dec 19, 2019

560 likes | 1.2k Views

The Role of the Media and Crime. Acessibility Statement. This slide show has been designed to be user friendly to people with dyslexia and visual impairment. The accessible font Arial is used. Black font on a white background is avoided.

Share Presentation

Presentation Transcript

Acessibility Statement • This slide show has been designed to be user friendly to people with dyslexia and visual impairment. • The accessible font Arial is used. • Black font on a white background is avoided. • Instead, font colour and background have been chosen to complement each other in order to avoid stark contrasts which dyslexic readers find hinders reading. • All text is left-justified to avoid ‘rivers of white’.

Objectives of Chapter Following this Slide Show you should know: • That people have both a fear and fascination about crime which is partly shaped by the media. • That the media can sensitise issues and help define crime. • That the media can both amplify deviance and create moral panics. • That crime as a spectacle is increasingly common in Postmodern society. • That the media is selective in who and how it treats victims of crime.

Fears and Fascinations of Crime The media plays an important role in shaping ideas, fears and fascinations about crime in society. People’s perception of crime comes from newspapers, tv news, films, magazines, books and programmes like Crimewatch. Left Realists emphasise there is a real fear of crime by ordinary people which is to a large extent shaped by the media.

Geoffrey Pearson Geoffrey Pearson (1983) in his book Hooligan claims that the middle-aged of every generation tend to look back nostalgically on the early years of their lives as 'golden ages' of morality. He refers to this nostalgic image of the past as reflecting 'respectable fears’ of becoming a victim of crime, but also a fascination with all aspects of crime.

Sensitization of Issues The media plays a crucial role in ‘sensitising’ the public into perceiving and reporting certain activities as crimes. For example, media attention and ‘zero-tolerance’ campaigns have challenged the idea that domestic violence is not a ‘family matter’ but a crime.

Deviancy Amplification ‘Deviancy amplification’ was coined by Leslie Wilkins (1964) to describe how agencies like the police and media can actually generate an increase in deviance. Minor and rare problems can look serious and common place. People become motivated to keep informed on events. The resulting publicity has potential to increase deviant behaviour by glamourising it or making it seem common or acceptable.

Middleton Studies Many regard the ‘Middleton Studies’, conducted in the USA in 1925, as perhaps the first example of deviancy amplification. Lynd and Lynd (1929 and 1937) identified how community and religious leaders in small town ‘Middleton’ condemned radio for promoting immoral behaviour. Subsequently, comics, Hollywood films, television, video nasties and most recently the Internet have all been viewed as contributing to deviant and criminal behaviour.

Stan Cohen and Moral Panics The term moral panic was developed by Stan Cohen (1970, pictured left). It is based on a false or exaggerated idea that some group’s behaviour is deviant and is a menace to society. Cohen used the term ‘folk devil’ to refer to such groups. ‘Moral panics’ are generally fuelled by media coverage of social issues.

Cohen’s Study of Mods and Rockers Stan Cohen studied mods and rockers in 1960s. In the absence of a major story one wet Easter weekend a minor affray in Clacton became front page news. The media developed these groups into ‘folk devils’ and constructed a ‘moral panic’ about young people generally.

Cohen’s Study of Mods and Rockers (2) Cohen noted how the media used ‘symbolic shorthands’ such as hair styles, items of clothing, modes of transport, etc as icons of troublemakers. Exaggeration Symbolisation Prediction (of further trouble)

Circular Nature of Moral Panics

Football Violence The media has been accused not so much of causing football hooliganism, but of ‘amplifying’ or ‘promoting’ the problem. Film crews and reporters have at times provoked fans, especially English fans abroad. Tabloid newspapers throughout the past 20-30 years may be viewed as xenophobic.

Media as ‘Moral Crusaders’ The media, having played a part in constructing a moral panic, may then embark upon a 'moral crusade' against the identified 'folk devils'. The desired outcome is to swell public opinion and for the authorities to embark upon a moral clampdown on deviants.

Moral Panics as Ideological Control Miller and Reilly (1994) see some moral panics used to soften up public opinion and thus act as a form of 'ideological social control'. For example, the media's coverage of Islamic terrorism is seen by many to promote 'Islamophobia‘. The resulting Government anti-terrorist legislation has received broad public support despite seriously reducing ordinary people's civil liberties. (compare to Hall’s study of mugging)

Examples of Moral Panics Mods & Rockers (1960s) (Cohen). Mugging in the 1970s (Hall et al). HIV/Aids (1980s). Satanic child abuse (1980s). Heroin and crack cocaine distribution (1980s/1990s). Video-nasties (1980s/1990s). Guns (1990s and 2000s). Acid raves, Ecstasy (1990s) (Thornton and Critcher). Male under-achievement in education (1990s). Asylum seekers (2000s). Islamic terrorism (2000s). Knife crime (2000s).

McRobbie and Thornton: Moral Panics are an Outmoded Concept

Crime as a Postmodern Spectacle Kidd-Hewitt and Osborne (1995) see media reporting of crime increasingly driven by the need for a 'spectacle'. Spectacles are engaging because audiences become both repelled by the activities but fascinated at the same time. Kooistra and Mahoney (1999) argue that media coverage of crime is increasingly a mixture of entertainment and sensationalism (what Neil Postman calls 'infotainment').

Media Treatment of Victims The media can be selective in focusing upon some victims more than others. For example old people attacked by strangers in their home often become front page news. But ‘elderly abuse’ (abuse by people old people live with, and estimated by Age Concern (2006) to affect 500,000 old people in the UK) is largely ignored.

Media Coverage Tabloid newspapers negatively target ‘undesirable’ groups such as gypsies and asylum-seekers. Such groups are viewed as “not us” or “other-groups”. The media tends to demonise rapists as evil psychopaths, whereas in reality the majority of victims are raped by men they know, trusted, and often live with.

Missing White Woman Syndrome Missing white woman syndrome, is also known as missing pretty girl syndrome. It is a term coined to describe a form of media hype in which excessive news coverage is devoted to a specific missing white woman or girl. Reporting of these stories often lasts for several days or weeks, and displaces reporting on other newsworthy issues.

Black Criminality The media plays up the image of black offenders, muggers and criminality generally. However, it reports less the fact that the evidence from official statistics suggests that African-Caribbeans and South Asians are twice as likely to be victims of crime as the majority White population.

Happy Slapping Happy slapping is said to have started in South London, but has spread across the UK, Europe and possibly globally. The term refers to the phenomenon of slapping or striking a stranger while an accomplice films the assault using a camera phone. The image is then sent using the medium of the mobile phone, resulting in copy-cat actions.

Marxist Theory on Media and Crime Marxists would argue it is not surprising that moral panics centre around groups viewed as deviant or threatening to the rich and powerful in society They highlight the way the media portrays criminals as working-class, ignoring white-collar or corporate crime. Frankfurt School point to the ideological control the media exerts in perpetuating false consciousness. Louis Althusser would describe the media as an ideological state apparatus.

Interpretive Theory on Media and Crime Interpretive theorists, such as interactionists, emphasize the role of the media in the social construction of news. They view the media as supporting specific arguments with selective evidence and data from appropriate surveys etc.

Functionalist and Pluralist Theory on Media and Crime Functionalists and Pluralists argue the media is simply a ‘window on the world’ reflecting life as it is. Therefore, the media simply reflects a true or real picture of crime. However, critics argue that this is rather naïve given the fact that the real figure of crime is way above the official figure.

Feminist Theory on Media and Crime Feminists argue that the media plays down the extent of women as victims of crime. Feminists argue that the sexually explicit representation of women in all forms of pornography (including tabloid newspapers and ‘lads mags’) renders all women potentially unsafe since they encourage predatory attitudes amongst men.

Postmodernist Theory on Media and Crime Postmodernists see the media as a crucial player in our perception of crime (regardless of whether this perception is accurate or not). They highlight how the media present crime with a mixture of entertainment and sensationalism ('infotainment'). The ultimate expression of this is crime expressed as a spectacle.

• More by User

Finish Overview of Criminology Crime and the Media

Finish Overview of Criminology Crime and the Media . Empirical Evidence is the KEY. Theories attempt to demonstrate cause-effect Criteria for causation in social science using a poverty  crime example Time ordering: poverty happens before crime Correlation: poverty is related to crime

503 views • 31 slides

Crime and the Media

Crime and the Media. What do Americans believe about Crime and the Justice System? Where and how do they develop these beliefs? What are the consequences of these beliefs?. Criminology vs. Other Science. How many “crime related” T.V. shows can you name off the top of your head?

357 views • 13 slides

COMMUNICATING GHEITI – THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA

COMMUNICATING GHEITI – THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA. By KOJO YANKAH President of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) & Communication Consultant Email : [email protected] ; [email protected]. INTERNAL COMMUNICATION NECESARY

268 views • 13 slides

Role of the Media Specialist

Role of the Media Specialist . Allison Shirey. Roles Media Specialists Play . Instructional Partner Teacher Information Specialist Program Administrator . Instructional Partner . Collaboration is Key! Must have knowledge of curriculum Knowledge of student needs. Teacher .

242 views • 8 slides

The Role of Media in Development

The Role of Media in Development . Topics to be discussed. Construction of national, regional and diasporic identity Promotion of Cultural experience and exchange Responding to cultural imperialism Promotion and Defence of rights and citizens. Development vs. Growth.

2.18k views • 37 slides

- The Role and Work of Eurojust - Combating International Crime

- The Role and Work of Eurojust - Combating International Crime . Mike Kennedy President of the College of Eurojust National Member for the United Kingdom. Cicero Foundation, Paris - 14 May 2004. What is Eurojust ?. A group of 25 EU prosecutors / judges

356 views • 14 slides

Vulnerability to addiction and the role of the media

Vulnerability to addiction and the role of the media. addiction. risk factors . Can I: describe risk factors in the development of addiction including stress, peers, age and personality? provide informed commentary for these risk factors?

216 views • 9 slides

The Awful Truth: The Role of the Media

The Awful Truth: The Role of the Media. In pairs,. Define the media’s role in contemporary society. Does the media tell us the TRUTH??. In pairs, develop a short response to this question. Can you think of any examples when the media has not told us the truth?.

471 views • 26 slides

The Role of Media

The Role of Media. Public Sphere Reading. We will read today’s selection one sentence at a time. Everyone must read. Everyone must be ready to read. . True/False Activity Call out the right answers on the count of three. 1 2 3. “The media” only refers to television . False.

298 views • 15 slides

TURNING TO CRIME~ THE ROLE OF COGNITION

TURNING TO CRIME~ THE ROLE OF COGNITION. ATTRIBUTION OF BLAME. ATTRIBUTION THEORY. Attribution theory explores how individuals "attribute" causes to events and how this cognitive perception affects their motivation.

329 views • 17 slides

The role of media (and media literacy) in instruction

The role of media (and media literacy) in instruction. Frank W Baker media educator [email protected]. MS Bailey Elementary School February 27, 2007. The role of media (and media literacy) in instruction. Young people and the media. Young people are exposed to 40,000 ads a year.

396 views • 22 slides

The Role of the Media in Elections

The Role of the Media in Elections. Essential Question: How should political campaigns, election financing, and voter turnout be evaluated?. Think & Share…. What role do you think the media has in a political campaign?

525 views • 23 slides

The Role of The Media

The Role of The Media. RD300 3 October 2001. Environmental Conflict & the Media. Media generate more stories than they can use. Editors - trim or discard articles Environmental stories compete with other types of stories. There are good and there are sloppy reporters and editors.

265 views • 13 slides

Leadership Role of the Media Specialist

Leadership Role of the Media Specialist. Principal’s PowerPoint Vickie Holmes 6466 MEDT. Whatever the cost of our libraries , the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. Broadcaster Walter Cronkite. Why the Media Center Matters. A Review of Relevant Research

431 views • 31 slides

social media and seo: the role of data

social media and seo: the role of data. Thomas Prince. online recruitment. research. analytics. strategy. search engine marketing. social media. training and conferences. data. data. data. why applied data?. 51% employers not effectively measuring recruitment activity.

306 views • 17 slides

The Role of Media. Public Sphere Reading. We will read today’s selection one sentence at a time. Everyone must read. Everyone must be ready to read. True/False Activity Call out the right answers on the count of three. 1 2 3. “The media” only refers to television. False.

304 views • 15 slides

Crime and the Media. Overview of Media Social Constructionism MADD Politics. Crime has always been a good source for media Earliest forms of media had crime/justice themes Folktales, theatre, songs Types of media Print (as early as 1400s) Pamphlets Penny press, dime novels, comic books

395 views • 16 slides

The Role of Narcotics in Organised Crime and Terrorism

Illicit trafficking of narcotics is interlinked with cross-border terrorism.

134 views • 12 slides

Environmental Crisis and the Role of Media

Environmental concerns are increasingly relevant to everyone, and an informed public is a critical ingredient in the necessary practical steps and policy changes needed to alleviate the developing crisis. Environmental issues have become more entwined as communication technologies proliferate. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of the media dynamics with reference to the environmental issues alarmingly challenging to human continued survival. The scientists are disturbed for its insecurity, mis governance, degradation, management and conservation which have gradually come to capture the centre stage. At this juncture, the role of media becomes pertinent in spreading environmental awareness and making the public aware of the formidable crisis looming large over our heads. Although environmental problems are typically discovered by scientists but it is media that often play a central role in disseminating information, influencing peoples attitude and promoting public awareness. Media are the cornerstone of any public opinion and acts as a catalyst for change.The ultimate objective of this paper is to find the most decisive factors in creating awareness since this is the first step in developing effective campaigns to promote and protect the integrity of the natural environment for prosperity amongst the population. This paper is an attempt to review the meaning of environment education, its aims and objectives, and ways of promoting environmental awareness in the society.A major challenge to environmental reporting is how to convey complex concepts and impart a sense of the urgency of these challenges in a way that engages the reader .The paper also explores the evolving field of environmental journalism which prefers objectivity over advocacy Sachsman, 2006 112 with utmost professionalism and scientific information. There is a need for more accurate and unbiased reporting in framing and forming some of the main determinants of public opinion. Sociologist Gaye Tuchman 1978 argues that the news reconstruct social world and are a window to the world, determining, what we want to know, what we have to know and what we should know. Vineet Kaul "Environmental Crisis and the Role of Media" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-1 | Issue-4 , June 2017, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd2217.pdf Paper URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/2217/environmental-crisis-and-the-role-of-media/vineet-kaul

143 views • 14 slides

Chapter 7 – The role of the media

Chapter 7 – The role of the media. Learning Target 7.1. Describe how American politicians choreograph their messages through the mass media. Students can list ways politicians use both print and broadcast media in both their quest for a position and after they have secured one. Mass Media.

472 views • 45 slides

223 views • 13 slides