Wednesday, 06.08.2008
Media Studies

The media is something with which we all have had first hand experience. Before you have your Cheerios, leave the house and reach your place of work already you have been in some way influenced by this gigantic force in some shape or form; by the morning news on television, the radio or even by glancing at the headlines glaring out at you from the newspaper stands.

A course in media studies involves the academic investigation of the content, history, meaning and effects of various types of media through the use of several assorted theories. Critical theories such as psychoanalysis, feminism and Marxism are adopted to analyse the media’s political, social, economic and cultural roles and the impact their part has on audiences. Media studies is a course that calls for participation from numerous other disciplines like philosophy and political science; it also encompasses strategies such as audience studies to gain a true insight on how the structure of the media impacts the public.

The media as we know it today is big business. Noam Chomsky, American professor of linguistics, anarchist thinker, human rights activist and political analyst has dealt with this at length and points out that since mass media outlets are ran by large corporations they are under the same competitive pressures as other corporations. This means that the pressure of making an actual profit will influence the shape that the news takes and how and in what way it is covered. This process is often referred to as news framing and recognises that there are a number of external and internal factors that undoubtedly alter how news is reported; for example the political inclinations of media giant Rupert Murdoch must be taken into consideration when reading or watching one of the many mediums he operates and controls. It is broadly accepted that factors such as these influence the decisions of journalists on which issues are covered, how they are reported and what level of emphasis is given to them; Chomsky made his position on this clear by noting that any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the US media.

Due to the competitive nature of the media industry and the need to maintain profit levels to survive in such an environment a trend has emerged in which more attention is given to providing audiences with content which they want and are interested in rather than subjects of a more serious, and important, kind. This has led to a preference for sensationalism and tabloid journalism over burning political and social issues; the aftermaths of national disasters have a short news life compared with the misbehaviours of the latest Big Brother housemates resulting in a somewhat entertained but frighteningly uneducated public.

The media is an enormous force in today’s world and the effects it can have on society are intimidating. Arthur Miller once said that a good newspaper is a nation talking to itself however in the current environment this is sadly more often the exception than the rule. A course in media studies will open your eyes to the idiosyncrasies of this curious industry and help you to evaluate the world around you with clearer vision. In no time you’ll be arguing with your fellow passengers on the bus about the shortcomings of their chosen reading materials; if the driver doesn’t stop the next morning don’t blame us - not everyone will appreciate your newfound insight…