copyright © allyn & bacon 2007 chapter 14 problems in the media this multimedia product and its...

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Chapter 14

Problems in the Media

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Media IndustriesMedia industries are media businesses that influence people

and cultures worldwide

Media industries own interests in a variety of areas Radio and television production and broadcasting Motion pictures, movie theaters, and music companies Newspaper, periodical, and book publishing Internet services and content providers

People spend more time in media

related activities than in any other

single endeavor


Technology and the Media

New technologies moved the source of information from newspapers to

Radio as the media phenomenon of the 1920s

Television as the phenomenon of the 1950s

Computers, fiber optic cable, and broadcast satellites continue to change media today


How has Media Ownership Changed?

Before A variety of independent companies

produced a single form of media (e.g., films)

Now Large corporate conglomerates own more

than one form of media


Convergence and Media Concentration

Convergence A melding of the communications, computer,

and electronics industries In 2000, AOL and Time Warner merged

Gives a few huge corporations control over media sources

Media concentration Tendency of the media industries to cluster

together in groups to enhance profitability


Forms of Media Concentration Concentration of ownership

10 corporations own 51 percent of all newspapers in circulation in the US

Cross-media ownership Own several types of media property, such as

newspaper chains and television stations

Conglomerate ownership Combines media properties with other businesses

Vertical integration Corporations make media content and control

distribution channels (e.g., television networks)


Views on Media ConvergenceSupporters Convergence is profitable for investors and media

executives

Critics Limits news and entertainment by reducing message

pluralism Decline of journalism as a public service profession Constant pressure for journalistic endeavors to be

profitable Decrease in quantity and quality of international news

available in the U.S. Quashing of public debate about power of media industries Increase of D.C. lobbyists representing interests of media

giants


Potential Problems with Media Concentration A few media giants control most of the world’s

information. Time Warner, Sony, Viacom, Disney, NBC Universal,

and News Corporation

People in other nations criticize how media conglomerates depict nations around the globe.

Such images (often negative) influence the politics and cultures of other nations. Export consumerism, violence, and greed (Kilbourne

1999)


Violence in the Media Most scholars do not believe media causes aggressive

behavior

A number of scholars assert that gratuitous violence is used to sell media-related commodities

Violent television shows make up 60% of all television programming

Some studies show a relationship between short-term aggressive behavior and media depictions of violence

Other studies suggest media may prevent violence by providing people with an emotional outlet


Media Communication and Violence against Women

Advertising often uses semi-pornographic images to sell productsBondage, sadomasochism, and the sexual

exploitation of children (Kilbourne 1999)

Contributes to the view of women as sex objectsLeads to gender inequality


Racial Stereotypes and the Media

Stereotype Over-generalization about the characteristics of

a group

Media perpetuates racial stereotypes Casting some groups as having superior traits Exaggerating people’s physical appearance Suggesting all people in a category look alike Creating racial or ethnic characters who have

undesirable attributes Linking subordinate racial or ethnic groups to

illegal actions


Gender Stereotyping in the Media

Under-representation of women as powerful, in control, and assertive

Studies have found several gender stereotypes in the media

Introducing gender-specific age bias in casting Older men and younger women are often shown together

Perpetuating traditional roles for women Women as thin, only beautiful, and sexually passive

Impulsive conduct of professional women Shown constantly shopping, drinking/smoking, bizarre behavior

Women abusing power Women overwhelmed by their work


Symbolic Interactionist View of Media Influence Theory of limited effects

Media have a minimal effect

Use and gratification theory People are active participants and decide what they will watch,

listen to, read, or surf on the Internet

Social learning theory People are likely to act out behavior from media sources

Audience relations approach People interpret what they see and hear through cultural filters


Functionalist Perspective on Media

Media fulfill several important functions in society Providing news and information

Facilitating public discourse on social issues and policies

Passing on cultural traditions and historical perspectives

Entertaining people


Conflict Perspective on Media

Members of the capitalist class use the media to validate existing class relations

Hegemony theory sees media as form of social control used by ruling classes to create “false consciousness” in the working classes

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