media studies definitions

mediated reality / mediafication

a version of reality shaped by media, where events and information are filtered through media channels

medium

way of communication about info/ideas, especially to a lot of people (newspaper, tv)

mediated reality / mediafication

a version of reality shaped by media, where events and information are filtered through media channels

medium

way of communication about info/ideas, especially to a lot of people (newspaper, tv)

prosumers

combine media production with media consumption

mode of address

style / tone of media message’s presentation, in which way it is said (formal, direct)

diffused audience

large but scattered audience

fragmentation

audience may be very large but individual members have no connection with each other and use many different devices

data mining

turning raw data into useful information

media literacy

possession of the range of skills needed to gain access to, critically analyse and create your own examples of media in different forms

segmentation

breaking down or subdivision of large group into identifiable slices or segments

demographics

statistical study of populations

preferred reading

interpretation that the producers want the audience to have

negotiated reading

audience members accept some of the intended messages but reject others, especially if they conflict with each individual’s own experience

oppositional reading

interpretation that recognises the preferred reading by completely rejecting it, perhaps because the language and scenarios cause offence

niche audience

smaller and more specialised than a mass audience. target a niche audience or market → attempt to design product that is perfectly suited to a particular group of people

depth of field

Distance between the nearest and furthest points from the camera that are in focus

dominant signifier

most important (usually largest) of all the signifiers

superimposition

collage-like appearance in an advert (stacked photos) → usually text & pics

juxtaposition

products that “belong” together and are placed close to each other

conventions

rules or shared understandings are used in media products “the way we do things”. more likely to be taken granted than formally stated

ambiguous/ambiguity / polysemic

sign with several possible meanings

denotation

straightforward, obvious or literal meaning of a sign. dictionary definition of a word. no hidden, subtle or underlying meanings.

connotation

meaning by association. in your culture you learn that many signs have meanings that are not obvious or direct. different connotations for different groups of people

mise-en-scène

all elements chosen by producers to make up the content of images, including codes such as location, lighting, non-verbal communication, props, accessories, etc. emphasises idea that leements are included deliberately to communicate specific meanings.

masthead

publications name or title in distinctive form

construction of reality

the process by which media influences how people perceive and understand the world

mediation

the process of shaping and filtering information before presenting it to the public

selection

choice of what information to include in media content.

omission

act of leaving out certain information, wether intentionally or unintentionally

ideology

system of beliefs, values, and ideas that influence how media content is created and interpreted

bias

prejudice for or against particular group or individual. Tendency to present information in a way that favors a particular perspective or agenda

stereotypes

oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a particular group of people, often inaccurate or exaggerated

who do the media represent?

represents reality to us e.g., religions and nationalities (muslim women = victim of male domestic violence / muslims = terrorists → stereotypes), places (choice of content depends on your own attitude towards where you live), events and issues (report politics, conflicts, scandals, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights and sport. fact that all events and issues must necessarily be mediated in some way leads to a bias.

linear model of communication

one-way process of sending and receiving messages without feedback

semiotics

study of signs and symbols and how they create meaning in communication (semiology)

semiotic codes

systems of signs (colors, words, images) used to convey meaning

photographic codes

visual elements like lighting, angles (extreme close up (ECU), big CU, CU, medium Cu, mid-shot, Wide angle, headroom, leading room, lines of perspective, tilted camera, rule of thirds), and composition that shape how images communicate messages.

front page analysis

study of newspaper or magazine front pages to understand how they prioritize and present information

media audience categories

different groups of media consumers based on characteristics like age, gender, or interests

audience theories

ideas that explain how audiences interpret and react to media messages

influence of digital technology

impact of digital tools and the internet on media consumption and interaction

advertising

promotion of products, services or ideas through media to persuade audiences

fandom

community of dedicated fans who actively engage with and contribute to media culture.

fake news

false or misleading information presented as legitimate news

clickbait

sensational or misleading headlines designed to attract attention and clicks

echo chambers

situations where people are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs (conservatives reading conservative newspaper and click on stories with conservative viewpoints etc.)

• Ideas are naturalised because of repetition and cultivation

• false consciousness of consensus

• unquestioning acceptance of information that confirms reader’s views

deep fake

AI generated videos or images that manipulate reality, often used for deception or entertainment