The Mass Media & Influence. Introduction.

Today we will… Develop a deeper understanding of different forms of media available in the UK

Success Criteria I can complete a personal media diary Describe the various forms of media available in the UK

Note down how many hours a day you spend doing the following: watching TV listening to the radio on the internet reading newspapers or magazines reading a book listening to music playing computer games going to the cinema/ watching DVDs

Add up your total and multiply it by 7 then multiply this by 52 Compare your total with others on your table – write down in the back of your jotters who has the highest, second highest etc.

What do we mean by ‘Mass Media’? Knowledge Check!!! What do we mean by ‘Mass Media’?

The Mass Media Print Media: Newspapers/ Magazines/Journals/Books Broadcast Media: TV/Radio Electronic Media: The Internet/Social Media

The Role of the Media The media has various roles in society depending on its form. Art, film and music although, often carrying a message, are primarily produced to entertain us. However the media also educates and informs us.

Thinking time… What does the media hours time activity tell you about the potential influence of the media on you and on society? Note some thoughts in your jotters… Do you think any of your views and attitudes have been influenced by the media?

In your groups… Come up with a list of ways that people are influenced by the media. Put your lists in two columns: POSITIVE INFLUENCES NEGATIVE INFLUENCES

Print Media: Spot the Difference You have 3mins to list the differences… Review

Newspapers Newspapers are traditionally the most influential form of media. Just under half of households in the UK claim to have access to a newspaper, usually the same title, every day. Newspapers come in two forms, tabloids and broadsheets. Tabloids – for example the Daily Record – are generally more interested in human-interest stories, for example information on pop groups and celebrities and sports. Broadsheets – for example the Guardian – are traditionally larger sheets of paper, which contain more social, economic and political information.  

Newspapers Newspapers are one of the most influential forms of the media. There are a number of reasons why newspapers are so influential. Newspapers are a cheap and daily source of global information that everyone in the UK has access to, therefore many people can form opinions and attitudes based on the information in front of them. However, newspapers often show bias toward a political party or political ideology. For example, the Guardian is known to support the Liberal Democrats whilst the Sun currently supports the SNP in Scotland.

Freedom of the Press Newspaper owners or editors are free to report the news as they decide. Freedom of the press is an important political right. As a result, newspapers are free to support / criticise whichever political party or politicians they choose. This support is reflected in their choice of stories (successes / scandals), in their choice of pictures (flattering or demeaning), in their use of political cartoon or in their editorials (supportive or critical).

 Newspapers can reach a wide section of people in society and represent their views, particularly in broadsheets with members of the public writing in their views and opinion on political parties promises and policy. This is an important influence for political parties, particularly the government, as they can gauge public opinion and support (whether or not to stick with a policy). Cautionary note: Analysis of the 2005 General Election shows that no one newspaper backs the same political party all the time . The Sun, for example, criticised Labour more than the Conservatives in the weeks leading up to the election but still urged its readers to vote Labour. By 2010, however, the Sun had switched its support from Labour to the Conservatives and it urged it readers to do the same.

During demonstrations the media are there to report on the public’s view, once again the government and opposition parties can react based on the wishes of the demonstrators, and potential voters.

Extension: “Newspapers have the biggest influence on the opinions of the electorate” Do you agree or disagree? Why? Review