cmn2160 uottawa

media theory

the complex of social-political-philosophical principles which organize ideas about the relationship between media and society

cultivation theory

idea that long-term immersion in a media environment leads to "cultivation," or enculturation, into shared beliefs about the world

two-step flow theory

the idea that media's influence on people's behavior is limited by opinion leaders—people who initially consume media content, interpret it in light of their own values and beliefs, and then pass it on to opinion followers, who have less frequent contact with media

multi-step flow theory

suggests that there is a reciprocal nature of sharing information and influencing beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors between audience members

critical social theory

people interact with media and create their own meanings - people draw their own conclusions. frankfurt school

agenda setting theory

the media can set the public agenda by selecting certain news stories and excluding others, thus influencing what audiences think about - the more certain stories are shown, the more important they are perceived to be

framing

media focuses attention on certain events and then places them within a field of meaning

what is a theory

a supposition intended to explain something - cannot work but can be applied

normative theory

what media SHOULD do

magic bullet / hypodermic needle theory

media consumers are passive, uncritical recipients of content - messages are directly injected into their brains

priming

media effects among the people are enhanced by providing a basic perception human minds take decisions based on the preconceptions that are already been stored in our memory

synergy (1+1=3)

an interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect that is greater than the sum of their separate effects

appeal to emotion

logical fallacy characterized by the manipulation of the recipient's emotions in order to win an argument esp in the absence of factual evidence

manifesto

a public statement explaining the intentions, motives, or views of an individual or group

kuleshov effect

a mental phenomenon by which viewers derive more meaning from the interaction of two or more sequential shots than from a single shot in isolation. synergy

encoding

the production of a message

decoding

the process by which the receiver interprets the sender's message

fear, uncertainty and doubt

disseminating false or negative information to undermine adherence to an undesirable belief or opinion

monopolies of knowledge - harold innis

a situation where a ruling class controls key communications technologies to maintain political power

public sphere - habermas

a network for communicating information and opinions where, ideally, private individuals can publicly congregate and freely debate social, ethical, and political issues in a manner free from the distorting influences of money and power

the fourth estate

the notion that the press operates as an unofficial branch of government, monitoring the legislative, judicial, and executive branches for abuses of power. non elected but authorized by the people

gate-opening

dissemination of all available information regardless of benefit / detriment, made popular through social media

baby its cold outside

can be interpreted as vaguely creepy/predatory, has been censored/edited in recent years. is this beneficial?

taming of the shrew

fairly creepy premise, but raises the question of should it be censored/banned because it doesn't follow current standards or should it be looked at as a product of its time

critical media theory

the idea that those who own mass media in its various forms purposely influence the content of mass media messages. also normative because it attempts to explain how things work

johannes gutenberg

invented the printing press, immense influence on communication and media - started an information revolution

AI

risk in the transformation of communication methods - will it replace human interaction or will it improve communication

digital media theory

how digital media changes communication patterns, social interactions, cultural consumption

mass media

form of communication that provides information to general population, shape the public agenda, and frame issues that subtly prime / sometimes shape individual and collective opinions, attitudes and behaviors

networked society

technology is available to everyone in our society causing us all to be networked

social media detriments

social media algorithms are tweaked to everyones own opinions/views, causing echo chambers / leading to cognitive dissonance when another opinion is presented

cognitive dissonance theory

the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent

media policy

laws, rules, regulations and guidelines governing the allocation, use and ownership of the electromagnetic spectrum and how they relate to the public good. arenas include telecoms policy, info policy, cultural policy and more

money for nothing - dire straits

canadian broadcast standards council banned uncensored versions of this song for saying the f slur because of its hateful connotations, then lifted the ban because they believed the song itself isnt malevolent

self correcting media system

democracy allows us to fix our own mistakes

checks and balances

used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

competition in the media

media outlets are challenged by market forces in a competitive environment, hope to achieve legitimacy through free competition for viewership

pluralist model in the newspaper industry

low circulation, politically oriented press

pluralist model + links between political actors and media

commentary oriented journalism, politics over the broadcasting system

pluralist model + professionalization

weaker professionalization

pluralist model + role of state in media

strong intervention

what countries use pluralist media model

france, greece, italy, spain

democratic/corporate model in the newspaper industry

high newspaper circulation

democratic/corporate model + link between political actors and media

strong party-oriented press, politics in broadcasting systems w/ substantial autonomy

democratic/corporate model + professionalization

institutionalized self-regulation

democratic/corporate model + role of the state

strong public service broadcasting

which countries use democratic/corporate model of media

germany, austria, netherlands

liberal model in the newspaper industry

medium circulation

liberal model + links between political actors

neutral commercial press, information-oriented journalism, no direct link between political actors and media BUT possible influence through federal budget

liberal model + professionalization

non-institutionalized self-regulation

liberal model + role of the state

market dominated system with significant public service broadcasting

which countries use the
liberal model of media

us, canada, uk, ireland

public service broadcasting

independent from govt, board of directors responsible to govt, govt funding, subscription fees, ad revenue, regulations

frankfurt school

media theory, centered in neo-marxism, that valued serious art, viewing its consumption as a means to elevate all people toward a better life; typical media fare was seen as pacifying ordinary people while repressing them

weimar republic

1919-1933, one of the most creative periods of the 20th century

effects model

holds that media forms and content have strong effects on individuals and society. this model sees the media as powerful agents of change.

effects theory

term used in media studies which examines the ways in which mass media affects the way people think and behave

war of the worlds broadcast 1938

fictional radio program about alien invasion - had powerful effect of media on public (fear, vulnerability, fear of the unknown)

strong effects model

media are very powerful, audiences are isolated, audiences are alienated from social relationships, audiences are passive information processors

evidence for the strong effects model

frankfurt school theorized that mass media acted to restrict/control audiences for the benefit of corporate capitalism and govt - people in urbanized and industrialized societies were rootless, alienated and vulnerable to manipulation

positives of strong effects theory

more power in exposure to educational + informative + entertaining media

negatives of strong effects theory

exposure to violence/sex, hateful journalism/speech, false/sensationalized info

social media addiction

taps the brains pleasure center, quick and easy, affirms something about ourselves, allows the expression of virtual empathy, posting makes us feel connected

theories associated with social media addiction

uses/gratifications, media dependency, cultivation, media ecology

uses and gratifications theory

theory that looks at the ways media consumers choose media to meet their needs, as opposed to magic bullet where audience is passive

media dependency theory

the media tell us what to think if we have no other information - media has more power over people when it's used this way

mean world syndrome

the cynical mindset of general mistrust of others subscribed to by heavy TV viewers

intersection of media dependency and cultivation theory

both concerned with media influence on perception of reality, cultivation theory focuses on long term effect, media dependency focuses on situation/context

media ecology theory

focuses expressly on how media and communication processes affect human perception, understanding, beliefs, and behaviors

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

social media and checks and balances

social media is a self-governing entity, not authorized by people outside of or above democratic norms and principles

social representation theory

special meaning of words to communicate/identify with those in a group

counter-public

alternative public spheres through which they produce and circulate their own values, beliefs, and ideas

global warming and media

media can create a distraction from key social issues

consciousness industry

how communications systems and content influence class and social relations

elitist model of media (watchdog function)

main duty of the press is to examine the behavior/character of elected officials, monitor their activities, analyze policy proposals and provide reliable in depth info about social problems

deliberative model of media (the common good)

press works alongside the public to support reflection and value or policy choice, advocate for a search for general societal agreement on the common good

gatekeeping

a norm of responsible reporting - editors/journalists fact check and balance professional rules and other verification processes

gateopening

social media / proliferation of digital info means journalists are no longer primary gatekeepers

drudge report

popular blog, clinton's affair first reported here

examples of gate-opening

covid and trump misinformation, conspiracy theories typically proliferated on social media

political endorsement

public declaration of one's personal or group's support of a candidate for elected office - can enhance candidate's credibility and appeal, increse visibility, sway undecided voters and mobilize groups aligned with the endorsers followers

sensationalism

the use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest or excitement. shapes the public opinion.

yellow journalism

journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers

characteristics of yellow journalism

sensational headlines and graphics, exaggeration and scandal-based content, emotional appeal, use of personal opinions and fake facts, influence on public opinion and policy

trash politics

deliberate use of sensationalism, misinformation, and populist rhetoric to shape public discourse and influence political behavior

celebrity politics

set of techniques rooted in production of fame that officeholders/notable citizens may use to shape and represent public opinion in areas like elections, policy advocacy, and international diplomacy

results of celebrity politics

perpetuation of public irrationality, emphasizes pseudo-reality over reality, reinforces false consciousness of consumer society and promotes interest of ruling elite BUT can also facilitate or create new ways for citizens to engage

echo chamber

any forum for communication in which all members agree with everyone else, shielded from opposing perspectives

selective exposure theory

individuals prefer messages that support their own positions to messages supporting other positions

confirmation bias

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

leni riefenstahl

created first motion picture in nazi germany. huge example of propaganda and role of media in shaping political reality and legitimizing power

propaganda

deliberate use of opinions or actions by individuals or groups to influence others' thoughts or actions for specific goals, often using psychological manipulation

marketing and selling product in media

despair -> personification -> commitment/testimony -> message

michael moore's sicko

documentary critiquing american healthcare - uses selective framing, emotional appeal, the simplification of complex issues, had a call to action and was biased

congregation for the propagation of the faith

founded in 1622, used systematic methods to promote catholic ideology, controlled religious literature and censored opposing views, influenced modern propaganda practices