MIGRAIN: Ideology

Part 1: Media Magazine reading

Media Magazine issue 52 has two good articles on Ideology. You need to read those articles (our Media Magazine archive is here) and complete a few short tasks linked to them. 

Page 34: The World Of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.

The article explains how The Hunger Games shows a dystopian capitalist society where ideology and propaganda are used through the media to control people whilst simultaneously also showing how media can be used for rebellion, the narrative follows a traumatised Katniss Everdeen as she reluctantly becomes the symbol of a violent rebellion against the Capitol, navigating intense personal loss and moral ambiguity in the final battle for Panem.

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?

The Hunger Games films present direct critique of capitalist ideology, exposing it as a system driven by exploitation and the commodification of human life, Panem is depicted as a dystopia that comes to fruition as a result of modern capitalism. 

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?

The Hunger Games films suggest that the power of media lies in its all-encompassing, potent nature, perverted as a tool for totalitarianism as propaganda, maintenance of power through spectacles of violence and distractions for citizens from blatant  inequality.

4) What is YOUR opinion on this topic? Do you think the media shapes our values and beliefs?

I believe the media doesn't directly influence our decision making, beliefs and values we hold to a certain extent as it is, yet however, I also believe that audiences have less control over their view now more than ever as technology advances.

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) What are the four accepted ideological beliefs in western societies highlighted by the article?

Good should overcome evil, law is better than disorder & pleasure is a goal in life.

2) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?

It suggests that the dominant class holds power over the ideologies portrayed and accepted in society as we just naturalise their beliefs due to their authoritative status. 

3) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?

His view was that ideology is the greatest material power and dominates our day to day lives through two key forms of control-Repressive State Control through the major institutions

of society,e.g-the Government, Army, Police, Courts, etc., which are dominated by the ruling elite regulating social behaviour and repressing the masses through violence, punitive law, and fear & Ideological State Apparatuses such as the Church, the media, educational institutions, the family unit etc., these looser institutions control and dominate implicitly through acceptance of ‘common sense’ and social norms.

4) Do YOU agree with the idea behind They Live - that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite? These are the big questions of A Level Media!

I believe that elitism does dominate a large part of social values as they are controlling and constructing the thoughts of people in society, yet there will always be an out-group regardless of their level of power that questions and criticises what they're being sold.

Part 2: The role of the media in democracy

Read this Constitution Unit blog on the importance of media in democracy. This brings together our work on ownership, public service broadcasting, regulation and ideology. Answer the following questions: 

1) Why is the media important in a democracy?

The media plays a vital role in democracy as it acts as an 'arena' for debate and a source of communal and persistent accountability, it has a key role in being the apparatus in which the public is informed on politics and perspective on major world events, essentially shaping public opinion to make informed decisions.

2) What are the hallmarks of a free and healthy media landscape?

A free and healthy media requires several features, including media independence-editorial independence from both political interference and financial control, pluralism-requiring a diverse sector, providing a range of viewpoints as monopolistic ownership can threaten pluralism to avoid ‘news deserts’, the existence of impartial outlets-ensuring the public can access unbiased information and high journalistic standards-ethics include high standards of fact-checking and verification, avoidance of misleading emphasis, protection for sources, and respect for privacy to ensure public trust with minimal regulation for clarity. 

3) What risks are identified that threaten a healthy media environment?

Risks that threaten a healthy media environment include threats to broadcaster impartiality, threats to media independence, polarising content, weakened local and investigatory reporting, disinformation and misinformation, monopolies..

4) What is YOUR opinion on how the media can be safeguarded to protect democracy? You may want to think about ownership, regulation, technology or public service broadcasting hereI believe that in order to protect democracy media should be safeguarded through high regulation and quality control checks in order to prevent misinformation and safeguarding of personal details from authoritative conglomerates that attempt to own societal values, giving people a chance to produce their own mentalities.