MIGRAIN: Introduction to Representation

 Read the Media Magazine feature 'Representation old and new'. This is in MM51 on page 6 - go to our Media Magazine archive to find the article. Complete the following tasks:

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

Representation is important as they are the recreation of someone's perspective on a thing or idea, they also control mass perception of certain images as they are shown to audiences over and over again.

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

News editors are able to choose what light they represent a subject, in the case of Kate Middleton, editors control and manipulate the images at various stages the publishing process, her images may be edited, cropped or photo-shopped, the caption of the photos anchor what ever meaning the editor wishes to represent and communicate to the readers. 

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

With representation, it's important to question who created it and why. Producers consider expectations and needs of the target audience, limitations provided by genre, types of narratives created, institutional remit. Representation is a combination of these selections and rejections of media language choices, one aspect may not be ideologically representative but a collection of these particular choices help create that meaning. Repetition of ideologies with genre  'naturalise' the audience, Roland Barthes argues that acts as a way to hide ideologies as it simply comes across and right, common sense or natural and therefore go unquestioned which can lead to 'silencing of different'.

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

His theory fits as he believes audiences don't engage with media passively and relationship or audience and text holds more importance than producers implied ideologies and intended meaning.

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

New tech such as social media allows for more communication of ideas about a text through the audience and allows for self-representation on a daily basis through content creation, individuals construct ideas about themselves and consistently distribute it. We may also choose what to distribute and how to do so, define ourselves in a variety of ways, so much so that previously under-represented groups may find themselves as figures in a broader media presence.

6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

Old media always attempts to construct an identity to their audience, they especially focus on national  identity when nation sports competitions occur, social media allows for the general public to give opinion on patriotism and distance themselves away from the values the newspapers perpetuates, as these platforms allow for more voices and perspectives.

Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:

7) Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.

8) Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. Our summary of each theory may help you here:

Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

Mulvey: the male gaze

Dyer: stereotyping and power
Medhurst: value judgements
Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true