A2 MEDIA STUDIES – G325 – SECTION B – CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITYTHE REPRESENTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA

JOHN FISKE – NEWS READERS, NEWS READINGS

You will have now looked at Fiske’s ideas about broadcast news and dominant ideology, which help us to understand why certain collective groups are represented in a certain way in the News.

Using each of his 3 ‘theories’, complete the tasks below to apply them to the news broadcasts we have just analysed of the representation of teenagers in the London Riots.

1. Clawback

Think back to one of the broadcasts that you analysed, how are the 3 stages of clawback evident in the broadcast? Write a description of what happens at each stage (if applicable) and what this tells us about the event:

Name of broadcast analysed:

1. The news reader in the studioHow is she/he positioned? How do they address the viewer? How do they introduce the event? How do they link to the reporter at the event? How do they close the event?

2. The reporter(What do they look like? Who do they address? What phrases do they use? What meaning or explanation do they give to the event?)

3. The filmed footage / eye witness accounts(What images can we see? Why do you think they have been selected? What do they tell us about the people involved and the event? How does the reporter’s commentary affect the image? Are there any eye witness accounts? Are they from the rioters or other people? How are they used – do they contradict or reinforce dominant ideology?

A2 MEDIA STUDIES – G325 – SECTION B – CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITYTHE REPRESENTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA

2. SUBORDINATES AS DEVIANTS

Fiske claims that those without social power or of low social status are only seen in the news when they are disruptive, deviant or create some kind of violent conflict.

Choose a news broadcast that you analysed and think about how young people are represented as ‘deviant’ and the way in which they are seen to be violent as part of this conflict.

Name of broadcast analysed:

3. BLURRING DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN FICTION & NON-FICTION - HEROES V VILLAINS

Fiske argues that news ‘pretends’ to be real and authoritative but it actually borrows from the conventions of non-fiction when representing individuals. Often they will be represented Heroes or Villains, depending on their role in the event and in wider society.

Think back to one of the news broadcasts & answer the questions:

TEENAGERS REPRESENTED AS DEVIANT IN NEWS REPORTS

OF THE LONDON RIOTS

What ‘things’ could diffuse the threat they

present to the dominant ideology?

What threats can they be seen to pose to the

social order?

How are they seen to be violent or causing

conflict?

Actions young people are seen taking part in

A2 MEDIA STUDIES – G325 – SECTION B – CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITYTHE REPRESENTATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE MEDIA

Name of broadcast analysed:

1. Who are the ‘heroes’ in the broadcast?

2. How are the heroes represented (in terms of camera angles chosen, how they look and/or the way they are spoken about by the reporter / news reader)?

3. How are the ‘heroes’ seen to support or protect the dominant social values within our society

4. Who are the deviants in the broadcast?

5. How are they represented (in terms of camera angles chosen, how they look and/or the way they are spoken about by the reporter / news reader)?

6. How are the teenagers seen to challenge or threaten the harmony of our everyday life and dominant ideology?

7. What does the representation of teenagers as villains tells us about the identity of the collective group?