Marxism

Question 1

marxism

Answer 1

The Media is part of the superstructure which is influenced and controlled by Capitalism (the infrastructure)

Question 2

milliband

Answer 2

• concerned about the impact of the media and stated that it was the ‘new opium of the people’.
• bourgeoisie) uses the media in order to control society by creating a ‘false picture of reality’ that presents capitalism in a positive way.
• Inequalities are presented as ‘inevitable, justifiable, and effective’ for society
• the proletariat accept the values of the ruling class, despite not being in their best interest (false class consciousness)
• Marx claim that ‘religion’ was the ‘opium of the people’; however due to the development of technology, milliband suggests that it is rather the media.
• media has replaced religion and the institutions acted like a drug to numb the senses and produce an illusion of happiness that is not real. This takes the proletariat’s attention away from the exploitation and oppression of the capitalist system and allows the ruling class to control and dominate them and continue their exploitation

Question 3

curran

Answer 3

• Found evidence of owners directly manipulating media content.
• press barbs are open to their propagandist role and that there were a lot of conservative supporting newspapers
• reflects them serving the interests of their wealthy owners
• media moguls have dominance and control over media content only because they try to get on the right side of them.

Question 4

bagdikian

Answer 4

• n 1983 50 corporations controlled the vast majority of all news media in the USA
• but by 2004, media ownership was concentrated in 7 corporations.

Question 5

doyle

Answer 5

• examination of ownership and control patterns is important for 2 reasons:
  1. All points of view need to be heard if society is to be truly democratic.
  2. Abuses of power and influence by elites need to be monitored by a free media.
• Too much concentration of media ownership is dangerous and unhealthy
• because the media have power to make or break political careers and have a considerable influence over public opinion.