Structure
In this report I will scrupulously scrutinize the media content we get in everyday life, the key terms used on the question will be explained. I will define and discuss the pros and cons of messages of products of political power, of economic power, of the entertainment industry how they are compiled, categorized, what determines their power or impact and importance and the options available for studying media. How we can study the media concentrating on Sinclair’s two approaches to study the media, the differences between them (critical and pragmatic) and finally give opinion summarizing this script.
It’s always been that in everyday life we go about days of media dominance. Each day that passes by leaves behind pros and cons of media consumption. The media in their different forms convey to us different messages according to our choices or preference as we are of different tastes; some prefer listening to the radio, watching television, surfing the net or email messages, word of mouth while others prefer reading the news papers and many more. Each media product or resource contain masses of messages in varying genres and it’s not all of that we need to know. We get for example messages which are ‘products of political power, of economic power and of the entertainment industry. Each of the messages we get is eyed differently, there are different ways to look at one thing.
Products of Political Power
These are media messages which are aimed at selling political activities critics and ideas. A good example is of the political history or events.The content is absolute politics and apparently these messages are conveyed through radios, TV’s, the net and newspapers for example; a live coverage of war in Iraq. These are meant to reach targets within a short span of time after the happening of event. The content is usually determined by what is regarded important in terms of consumer’s interests, for example in the case of journalists in the War in Iraq, there is lot of activities going but they will only get what they think will sell for them, that which they think the consumer will appreciate. On the other hand political messages usually contain a lot of information. The medium used cover masses of information of which some of it is irrelevant that is TVs, internet. With news papers, sometimes they only sell because they have eye catching titles but with less unnecessary information.
The advantage of these messages is that they can cover massive information can be covered and are usually facts and sell through quickly while on the contrary these messages are usually biased. Facts are manipulated.
Messages of Economic Power
These messages are commercialized messages, usually disclose a country, organization or a persons economic status, strength or power or even economic policies, workgroups on a socioeconomic project and also invitation for all economic agents to build an economy at the service of human beings and to make alliances with each other for the purpose of influencing, from their respective positions in society, the economic directions that affect them, and, together, push for the transformation of national and global macro policies, institutions, and social relations For example; Bill Gates’ company monopolizing the market or Switzerland being the richest country with a low population, foreign investments of individuals or a country. These messages are important because they influence and determine the economy of an individual or country. They can also influence convergence of individuals or countries in the bid to improve and strengthen their economic status. On the other hand messages of economic power are very difficult to understand in context in which are written. They can bring about political conflicts, for example the conflict America and Iraq provoked by interest in Oil. The war is basically for economic power or benefits.
Messages of Entertainment Industry
These are the messages we receive which are mainly concerned with fun or entertainment. These range from adult entertainment to kids entertainment and it uses all sorts medium available to reach its target. The content of this media industry is basically in all respect entertainment (enter- educate). This cover kids televised entertaining as well as educational programs, books it can jokes, riddles, stories etc, TV and computer games etc. “According to Phyllis Tilson Piotrow, under January of 2002 the head of the University’s population communication campaign, the “ enter educate” can be summed up in a set of principles called “Nine Ps” of which are some are essentially self serving and these are pervasive, popular, persuasive, profitable, passionate, personal, participatory, prompts to action and proven effective.(http://www.africa2000.com/pndx/entereduc.html)
As we read through all these messages, we get different individual understanding, but then our interpretation of the message determines our reactions to the media thus showing the strength of the messages.
Ways to study the Media based on Sinclair’s two approaches and their differences (critical approach and pragmatic approach).
ATT:EXTENDED TO FRIDAY
