Theoretical perspectives and Theoretical perspectives and the influence of “news values”the influence of “news values”

News selectionNews selection The mass media plays a The mass media plays a

crucial role in what crucial role in what Habermas calls the public Habermas calls the public spheresphere

Most of the news and Most of the news and information we receive information we receive about the world comes via about the world comes via the mass mediathe mass media

This raises 2 critical This raises 2 critical questionsquestions

Who decides what Who decides what news/information we news/information we receive?receive?

Do we receive a balanced Do we receive a balanced or a biased view of events? or a biased view of events?

Selectivity?Selectivity? Journalists and editors Journalists and editors

would probably argue that would probably argue that they provide a “window on they provide a “window on the world”the world”

What does this mean?What does this mean? Few would deny that there Few would deny that there

is bias in news coverageis bias in news coverage However it could be However it could be

pointed out that there are pointed out that there are a wide variety of sources a wide variety of sources from which authenticity from which authenticity can be checkedcan be checked

Can you link this to a Can you link this to a Sociological approach?Sociological approach?

Explain your answerExplain your answer

Pluralism and selectivityPluralism and selectivity Pluralists would argue that Pluralists would argue that

the media gives people what the media gives people what they wantthey want

This applies to news and This applies to news and current affairs just as any current affairs just as any other form of mediaother form of media

Pluralists emphasise the wide Pluralists emphasise the wide variety of options available to variety of options available to consumersconsumers

The development of 24 hour The development of 24 hour news channels and the news channels and the internet has hugely increased internet has hugely increased this choicethis choice

The market argument is The market argument is crucial- the media must crucial- the media must reflect the values and reflect the values and interests of its consumers interests of its consumers

Regulation of the newsRegulation of the news Pluralists would also point out that safeguards are in place Pluralists would also point out that safeguards are in place

to ensure that a balanced and honest picture is presented to ensure that a balanced and honest picture is presented in the newsin the news

The law of libel allows people to seek compensation if they The law of libel allows people to seek compensation if they have been defamed.have been defamed.

The Press Complaints Commission and Advertising The Press Complaints Commission and Advertising Standard Authority also ensure that standards are Standard Authority also ensure that standards are maintainedmaintained

The broadcasting media (TV and radio) have to be fair and The broadcasting media (TV and radio) have to be fair and balanced by lawbalanced by law

Which approach would not accept this argument?Which approach would not accept this argument? Can you think of any news reporting we have previously Can you think of any news reporting we have previously

studied that was not fair or balanced? studied that was not fair or balanced?

Marxism - agenda setting and gate Marxism - agenda setting and gate keepingkeeping

According to Marxists, the According to Marxists, the media is part of the media is part of the IDEOLOGICAL STATE IDEOLOGICAL STATE APPARATUSAPPARATUS

Newspapers and news Newspapers and news programmes reflect the programmes reflect the interests of capitalism and the interests of capitalism and the ruling classruling class

Negative portrayals of the Negative portrayals of the working class are used to working class are used to deflect attention away from deflect attention away from the inadequacies or crimes of the inadequacies or crimes of the ruling classthe ruling class

The role played by agenda The role played by agenda setters and gate keepers are setters and gate keepers are important hereimportant here

Why?Why?

The news media decide The news media decide what is important and how what is important and how issues are treatedissues are treated

Gate keepers (eg editors) Gate keepers (eg editors) ensure that news fits in ensure that news fits in with the style of their with the style of their newspaper or programmenewspaper or programme

They will make sure that They will make sure that news reportage news reportage corresponds to the policies corresponds to the policies laid down by owners and laid down by owners and managersmanagers

What do these pictures What do these pictures suggest? suggest?

ActivityActivity

Look back on the work of Philo and the Look back on the work of Philo and the GUMG analysing coverage of the miner’s GUMG analysing coverage of the miner’s strikestrike

Do they identify biased reporting?Do they identify biased reporting? Read and take notes on the chapter titled Read and take notes on the chapter titled

The Audience on page 156The Audience on page 156 Is this reflecting a Marxist or Pluralist point Is this reflecting a Marxist or Pluralist point

of view?of view? Can you relate this to the Postmodernist Can you relate this to the Postmodernist

Lyotard and “the search for truth?”Lyotard and “the search for truth?”