Why Study the Media? Or Media Studies so what!
9 Good Reasons
Media Literacy ‘
Media Literacy allows us to engage in cultural practices through which we make sense of and take control of our world and ourselves, in expressive practices in which we represent ourselves and in critical practices in which we interpret what we read, view and play’
1. Your interested in it •You may be personally interested in a certain magazine or television programme •You may also be interested in how it is made and by whom ‌because we are surrounded by media you may feel confident that you know something about it and have opinions on it!
2. The media is powerful The main power of the media lies in the fact that it can shape what we know about the world and can be a main source of ideas and opinions •The media may influence the way we think and act …therefore it must be worth exploring how and to extent it influences us •
3. The size and reach of the industry In peak time television audiences run to 18 million ( a 1/3 of the population) • The dominance of multinational institutions – News International …Although size shouldn’t matter it must be worth studying something for this reason if nothing else •
4. Access to the audience We openly invite tv and radio into our living rooms. They have access to almost every home in the land • 4 million people buy the sun every day …If one product can reach ( and potentially influence) number of people on that scale…well! •
5. Information and Entertainment Every week 650 hours of terrestrial TV are put out •90% of people surveyed said they get there news from television and that they believe it for the most part •13 million people per day read the 3 main newspapers …If the media are the main providers of information and entertainment then it must be worth looking at what they provide and why. •
6. The repetition of messages The main mediums for news all cover more or less the same stories most of which come from the same news agencies. These stories are then reproduced in newspapers ( and on TV and radio and the internet) •
‌There is evidence to suggest that what is repeated is believed and therefore it must be worth studying the possible effects of repetition.
7. Media Studies Skills • The Media industries are fast becoming one of the biggest employers in the world •The skills you develop in media are transferable and are what many employers are looking for ‌ Put yourself ahead of the rest!
8. Meanings and Messages • All media texts tell us something sometimes the meaning is obvious but at others it is worth exploring in more depth what the media might WANT us to believe ‌ Studying it may help you realise how, why and when you are manipulated by the media therefore transferring the power to you
9. ‘Cos you can • It’s not the 1960’s everything is changing and as we become more saturated by the media everyone will begin to understand the need to study it…But for now REMEMBER… –It’s fun ( a lot of the time) –It makes you have a rounded view of the world –It’s an A-Level that all universities and employers accept ( even Oxford and Cambridge!)
Always ask questions • Why have you chosen to study Media Studies A Level? • Is there a particular area/genre of the media that you are interested in? • Why do you think Media is Important? • How much power do you think it has over our society? • Chose 3 different groups of people and explain how you think they are represented in the media. • What skills do you hope to develop through learning about the media?