Representation of Issues and Events
Jun 22, 2015
Representation of Issues and Events
This term:We will look at:The representation of issues and events by the media. Issues• The use of sexualised
images in products aimed at children
• Size zero• Third world poverty
Events• London Riots• Royal
baby/marriage??• Olympics and
Paralympics
Teacher
Teacher…?
What do you see?
Look again…
Representation…
►These are not the actual thing or person – they are a representation of the thing.
►Representation means to re-present (i.e. show again)
►Remember: Individuals and groups of people are represented in the media as being a certain way. This is a construct of reality and NOT reality itself.
Representations►We’re creating representations all the
time – if you’ve got a Facebook page you’ve definitely created a representation of yourself.
►Think about what you choose to put on there, and what you choose not to put on there.
How we are represented
►I could represent this class as diligent and hard working.
►Or I could represent you as off-task and disengaged.
It’s all about HOW I choose to show you, and what I leave OUT.It’s also about WHO is doing the re-presenting
We can show the police as caring and helpful
OR NOT!
MEDIATION
►The media selects (mediates) the way it shows people to serve its own purposes.
►A media producer (the person who made the media product – advert, film, TV show) will deliberately represent a person or group according to what they want others to believe.
Key term: Mediation
Mediation refers how a representation is put together and what message it gives the audience
EVENT Mediation Representation of the event
Selection process:
Type of mediaEditing
Camera Angle
Costume
Language
Music
Key term: MEDIATION
(Reality) The outcome
Message to the Audience
EVENT Mediation Representation of the event
Selection process:
Type of mediaEditing
Camera Angle
Costume
Language
Music
Key term: MEDIATION
Robert Pattinson emerging with his personal trainer
Robert Pattinson in new relation with mystery brunette
Every report of an event is a representation of the event, NOT reality.
Versions of reality:
What you hear and see in the media is controlled by the person who is informing you –
IT IS ONE PERSON’S REPRESENTATION AND THEREFORE WILL PRESENT THEIR OPINIONS, BELIEFS AND BIASES .
Media representation can have many interpretations so as to direct the audience towards a desired outcome or message the producer can add captions, music, mise en scene, lighting or film from certain camera angles.
Key Term: ANCHORAGE
Look at the picture below and think about what it means to you.
How does the following caption affect the meaning of the same picture:
Corrupt officer arrested
Construction and Focus► So media texts ( and representations)
are all constructions – they are built.
► Focus – mediation also encourages the audience to focus upon a particular aspect of the media texts to push us towards a certain perspective.
► E.g. in a drama the camera may focus upon a particular character or in newspapers and magazines our eyes are drawn to the headlines and coverlines
Homework: Identify an event
►Find an example of mediation and anchorage and analyse it.
►In … magazine/advert/paper, the editor has included (an article/an advert) which is mediated and shows bias. This can be seen from ….. . It is biased because…
►Anchorage is used because…