Tara Media Exam

  Task 1 1)  Who are you? -  I think, therefore I am It outlines how identity used to be seen as fixed and determined by social structures such as class, gender, religion and family roles. From citizen to consumer This section describes how advertising and consumer culture encouraged people to see themselves as consumers whose desires and identities could be shaped and satisfied through products. The rise of the individual Here the article argues that late-20th-century individualism promoted the idea of a fragmented self, with people using products and images to express an “ideal” version of themselves. Branding and lifestyle This section explains how brands sell lifestyles and personalities rather than products, creating the illusion of individuality while actually encouraging conformity. Who will we be? The final section explores how social media, avatars and data mining allow identities to be packaged, monitored and sold, turning self-image into a commodity. ...

Media Magazine reading - two articles on feminism and theory 1) Pan Am (TV series) + Beyoncé – “Why Don’t You Love Me?” 2)  These texts do not show that feminism is no longer needed; instead, they present sexism in a different form. While the women appear empowered and confident, their bodies are still central to audience pleasure. This reflects post-feminist ideas, where sexualisation is framed as choice, making inequality less obvious. As a result, the male gaze continues in a more subtle way, suggesting feminism is still relevant. 3)  The male gaze is a theory by Laura Mulvey which argues that media texts are created from a heterosexual male perspective, positioning women as objects of visual pleasure. Post-feminism refers to the idea that gender equality has been achieved, often shown through “empowered” but sexualised female images. Objectification is when women are valued mainly for their appearance rather than their abilities or individuality. The Theory Drop: Gender...

Everyday Sexism 1- This is because during one week, 18 months ago she was sexually assaulted in public 3 times. This led for her to start to, 'Everyday Sexism Project' so that she could help others who have shared the same experiences as her.  2-  The Everyday Sexism project highlights the ongoing, often subtle, forms of gender discrimination that women face daily, showing that inequality persists despite claims of gender equality. This links to post-feminism, which suggests that feminism’s goals have largely been achieved and that women now have freedom of choice, often downplaying systemic sexism. The project challenges this notion, illustrating that feminism is still necessary in Western societies to address structural and cultural inequalities, not just overt discrimination. 3- it provided a platform for people to share their experiences widely and instantly. Social media and online tools allowed the project to reach a global audience, collect thousands of personal st...

  1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies? Because everything in the media is a re-presentation of reality, shaped by producers’ choices. Studying representation helps us understand how media construct meanings, communicate values and ideologies, and influence how audiences see people, groups and events. 2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media? The article shows how photographs of Kate Middleton are selected, cropped, captioned and placed in context by gatekeepers. The same image can create positive or negative meanings depending on editorial choices, demonstrating how representation is constructed, not neutral. 3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words. Media representations are constructed through choices made by producers, shaped by audience, genre, narrative and institutional aims. Meaning is created through selection and omission. Repeated represe...

1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated? Regulation is the system of rules put in place to control how industries operate, enforced by an official authority. In the media industry, regulation ensures that organisations act fairly, responsibly, and within the law. One reason why we may need regulation within the media industry is to  protect audiences from harmful or offensive content, such as violence, misinformation, or material that could negatively affect children. Secondly, it ensures accuracy and fairness , preventing the spread of false information and encouraging balanced reporting, especially in news media. 2) What is OFCOM responsible for? OFCOM, Which stands for the office of communication and the advertising industries which is regulated by the advertising standings and authority. They are responsible for  for making sure that media content follows strict rules to protect audiences. This includes ensuring programmes are appropria...

 1) Refers to industries involved in the creation, production and distribution of products . These include film, television, music, publishing, advertising, video games, and digital media.  2) Hesmondhalgh argues that cultural industries are most profitable in societies that support large corporations and their political allies . These societies usually have constant demand for new products, low regulation, economic and political stability, and a workforce willing to work hard . Profitability depends on systems that favour corporate power. 3) This happens because cultural industry companies must compete for audiences . To stand out, they often produce content that appears shocking, rebellious, or critical of power . There is also a long tradition that art should question institutions and social inequalities , which audiences expect from media texts. 4) Hesmondhalgh identifies several problems with the cultural industries, including the fact that they are a risky busi...