Journalists
provide an
essential
service in a
democratic
society, in that
they offer the
information that
people need
to participate
in political and
cultural life
It monitors
the political
process in
order to ensure
that politicians
do not abuse
the democratic
processes
Inform and
educate
Important in
exposing the
wrong-doing
of the powerful
in society
Counterbalance
function
Balance out
the information
provided by
government
Media
saturation
(increased
contact)
Media Culture
(Multiple truths
or realities)
"Onedimensional
thought"
Programmes
which simply
entertain help
to remove any
doubts that
people may
have about the
organisation
of society
Acts as a
hallucinatory
drug which
creates
illusions and
produces
a sense of
wellbeing
Marcuse Distraction
Checking
function
Pluralist
by providing
the electorate
with alternative
information
from a diverse
range of
other sources
They divert
the attention
from the unfair
nature of
society, to give
the impression
that nothing is
wrong with the
world we live in
Role of
the Media
Marxist
Antonio
Gramsci hegemony
(1968)
Postmodern
Diversity
and Choice
Blurred
boundaries
Identities
Ralph
Miliband Distortion/
Deception/
Drug
Much more
effective
than force in
controlling
a proletariat
that has the
potential to be
very disruptive
Media is the
"opium of
the people"
This
encourages
the working
class to accept
a system which
exploits them