MEDIA - Representations of Class in the Media Flashcards
According to Neo-Marxists, what do Media representations of Social Class celebrate? HINT: Hierarchy and Wealth
They suggest that Mass-Media representations of Social Class tend to celebrate hierarchy and wealthy!
Those who benefit from these - such as the monarchy, the upper class and the very wealthy in society - generally receive a positive press; they are depicted as celebrities who are (somehow) deserving of their position and, therefore, our respect and admiration!
Give an Example of a Media Idolised Picture of the Ruling Elite!
Shows like ‘The Crown’, ‘Downton Abbey’, and ‘Bridgerton’ = These shows represent a rosy and idealised picture of the Ruling Class that is characterised by honour and culture!
What Sociologist says that the Monarchy has the support of most of the Mass Media / has converted people to its cause?
Nairn!
(NARIN) What does Nairn note about the Royal Family? HINT: Lack of opposition, until recently!
They note that the monarchy has successfully converted much of the Modern Mass Media to its cause.
Until fairly recently, it was rare to see any criticism of this institution or the individuals in it - AKA: Prince Andrew and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and the doctored photo of Princess Kate!
What caused a National Obsession with the Royal Family? HINT: A makeover after WW2!
After WW2, the monarchy (with the help of the media) reinvented itself as a ‘Royal Family’ with a cast of characters, not unlike our own families, who stood for national values, such as ‘niceness’, ‘decency’ and ‘ordinariness’.
This makeover resulted in a national obsession with the Royal Family, which was reflected in media coverage that positively focused on every trivial detail of their loves; they turned the Queen and her family into an ongoing narrative or soap story, but with a glamour and mystique that is greater than any other media personality - This is evident in shows, such as ‘The Crown’!
What did the Mass Media Representations of the Queen aim to do? HINT: A symbol of National Identity!
Mass-media representations of the Queen are also aimed at reinforcing a sense of national identity, in that she is portrayed as the ultimate symbol of the nation. The media also regard royal events, such as weddings, births and funerals, as national events that should be celebrated.
This is now reserved for the King!
What Sociologist argues that the Media focuses on the lifestyle of the Wealthy and the Privileged very positively?
Newman!
(NEWMAN) What does he suggest about Media representations of the Wealthy and Privileged? HINT: Positive + Consumerism Focus!
He argues that the media focuses optimistically on the lifestyles of the Rich and Wealthy - He says that the media focus too heavily on consumer items, such as luxury cars, costly holiday spots and fashion accessories that only wealthy people can afford = This leads to conspicuous consumption; whereby people consume goods in order to try and increase their social status and their social mobility!
(NEWMAN) What does he argue that the News focuses on, instead of highlighting the Inequalities of Capitalism? HINT: The Media positives represents those with Wealth!
He states that the media rarely focus on the inequalities and the unfairness of capitalism, such as the size of bankers’ bonuses, the fact that top business people are rewarded with huge pay-offs for failure or the growing divide between the rich and the poor in society.
The news focuses on the positive representations of the wealthy, such as the Royal Family and the prosperous stocks and shares that many businessmen invest into.
The media focuses positively on the lifestyles of the rich and privileged. They rarely focus on the inequalities of capitalism or the divide between the rich and the poor –> As seen with Shows like ‘Amazing Hotels’!
(NEWMAN) What did he identify about Print and Broadcast Media? HINT: Large focus on stocks!
He found that there is a large amount of print and broadcast media that is dedicated to daily business news and stock market quotations, despite the fact that a few people in the UK actually own stocks and shares!
Therefore, these Print and Broad Sheets focus on engaging with a Wealthy audience!
According to Pluralists, what are the 3 ways in which the representations of the Rich - and their lifestyles - are justified? HINT: Meritocracy, Competition and Motivation + Democratic Mirror!
- The media view the UK as a meritocratic society and the media portrayal of the wealthy are actually representative of the idea that talented people are deserving of high rewards, because they have talent and have worked hard - MERITOCRACY!
- Such stories may motivate people to work hard in the belief that they can attain these rewards and benefit the economy - COMPETITION AND MOTIVATION!
- The focus on finance, stocks and shares may reflect the importance of these sectors for the economy - DEMOCRATIC MIRROR!
What are the 4 ways in which the Middle Class are represented in the Media? HINT: Manners and Respectability; Material Goods and Consumers; ‘Middle England’; Educated!
- The middle class are over-represented on TV and the working-class are underrepresented. In TV dramas, apart from soaps and situation comedies, middle-class families are predominant and they are generally portrayed as concerned about manners, decency, social respectability etc –> MANNERS AND RESPECTABILITY!
- A lot of British newspapers, such as the Daily Mail and the Daily telegraph - and magazines - are aimed at middle-class consumers’ tastes and interests in material goods, such as music, cars, houses and gardens; these items can only be afforded by those with a good and strong standard of living –> MATERIAL GOODS AND CONSUMERS!
- The content of newspapers, such as the Daily Mail, suggests that journalists believe that the middle classes of ‘Middle England’ are more anxious about the decline of moral standards in society and they feel threatened by immigration, the euro and terrorism - Anti-permissiveness (as seen in the 60s and 70s with Mary Whitehouse) –> ‘MIDDLE ENGLAND’!
- Most of the creative personnel in the media are middle class! In news and current affairs, the middle classes dominate positions of authority - the ‘expert’ is the middle class (links to Hall and the hierarchy of credibility) –> EDUCATED!
TRUE OR FALSE: The Middle-Class are OVER-REPRESENTED in the Media, in comparison to the Working-Class!
TRUE!
What Sociologist speaks about ‘Liberal Bigotry’?
Jones!
(JONES) What does he argue that the Media coverage of Working-Class people may lead to? HINT: Middle-Class attacks on Working-Class people + ‘Liberal Bigotry’!
He argues that the media coverage of working-class people constitutes and creates a middle-class assault on working-class values, institutions and communities.
He claims that many middle-class journalists suffer from ‘liberal bigotry’ - this is whereby they assume that all working-class people are feckless, promiscuous, foul-mouthed racists who hate minority ethnic groups, refugees and multiculturalism.
However, the reporting of issues, such as poverty, unemployment and single / lone-parent families, suggests personal inadequacy, rather than government policies or poor business practices, is the main cause of these social problems - A very conservative and right-realist approach
(JONES) What TV show is a good example to analyse when speaking about Jones? HINT: The Catherine Tate Show!
He focuses on the demonisation of the working-class. Media gives the impression that we are all middle class now; working classes are represented as deviants or figures of fun. Working-class individuals are presented as racists, foul-mouthed, feckless, as seen with Catherine Tate Show & Lauren skits (‘Am I bothered?’)!
What is the definition of ‘Liberal Bigotry’?
Whereby Journalists assume that all Working-Class people are feckless, promiscuous, foul-mouthed racists who hate minority ethnic groups, refugees and multiculturalism –> ‘Middle England’!
What Sociologist/s argued that Newspapers aimed at Working-Class people assume that they are Uninterested in serious political stories and events?
Curran and Seaton!
