Representation blog tasks

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

The changes in media landscape can have an influence on the way we view the world and ourselves.

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

The media can be easily manipulated in order to tell a story that wants to be told instead of the real events that took place.  

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

When producing a media product, producers consider: the expectations and needs of the target audience, the limitations provided by genre codes, the type of narrative they wish to create, their institutional remit. Representation is made up of a collection of media language choices which combines to create an ideological meaning. Once these values and ideologies have been repeated it begins to feel natural to the reader. Barthes argues that the 'naturalisation' of ideas in this way acts as a way to hide the ideology from view.

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

Hall argues that audiences do not necessarily accept the ideology of texts passively. Instead they use their own cultural and social experiences to create an interpretation. Therefore, this links to representation as audiences meanings in a text in different ways. Intended meaning, negotiated meaning and oppositional meaning are the three ways that Hall describes.

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

The audience are now able to share their own media products which gives them an opportunity to represent themselves.

6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

During the 2014 World Cup, The Sun sent a free newspaper to 22 million households in England which represented its own concepts of ‘Englishness.’ Some audiences challenged this on social media 

Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:
7) Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.

The protagonist, Luther, may be seen as a domineering and stereotypical masculine character. This can be seen through the way in which he speaks to the other detective. He has an assertive tone and is straightforward. However, this contrasts to the beginning of the clip where he is in a vulnerable state.