I am going to examine how mass media representations of homosexuality have changed over time whilst looking closely at the text 'Will and Grace'. After the termination of the ABC sitcom, 'Ellen', it didn't seem like there was
How has representation of homosexuality changed in the media looking closely at the text 'will and grace'? I am going to examine how mass media representations of homosexuality have changed over time whilst looking closely at the text 'Will and Grace'. After the termination of the ABC sitcom, 'Ellen', it didn't seem like there was going to be any show with gay characters as their lead cast, so it came as a shock when NBC's new show, 'Will and Grace' premiered. The show was co-created by David Kohan and Max Muchtnick and it premiered on Monday, September 21 1998 at 9.30pm. It featured Grace Adler (Debra Messing) as a strong willed, slightly neurotic interior decorator who lives with her best friend, Will Truman (Erick McCormack), a handsome gay lawyer in their New York apartment. The show is mostly about the trails and tribulations they face in their lives, both personal and professional. In their personal lives are their two best friends gay, narcissistic, immature, silly, effeminate and extremely insulting Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) and Karen Walker, a rich spoilt, shallow socialite. The show's huge success led to it being nominated for an award and led to the entire cast being nominated for two Emmy's and two of the cast winning it. It was so successful it was moved up to NBC's most coveted spot at 8.00pm on Thursdays, a place formerly occupied by 'Frasier' and
To what extent does the Media affect body image in teens and their perception of beauty?
To what extent does the Media affect body image in teens and their perception of beauty? There is no question that the Media has a massive impact on how we perceive ourselves, particularly when it comes to our beauty. From my own experience, I have questioned my own body due to articles in magazines promoting a slimmer body type to various audiences. We shape our opinions through what the Media tells us is right and wrong. For instance, women and young girls are judged highly on their weight and appearance where as men are judged more on their masculinity and muscularity.[1] As the Media is a massive topic, I will focus on looking at magazines, in particular adverts, and how they portray beauty and how we then observe the Medias idea of ‘perfection’. I will also be looking at the effects of exposure to these magazines and adverts to teenagers; one particular focus will be the influences of the Media on Anorexia. “Low self-esteem contributes to a distorted body image, and the distorted body image can't be fully corrected until self-esteem issues are reconciled.”[2] If we don’t address the problem (the problem being the Media labelling a certain body type as perfect) then the issue of low self-esteem in women is never going to stop. Over 90% of people diagnosed with eating disorders are adolescent or young women,[3] so why do young women and adolescents feel the need
Do the Media have the power to shape public opinion?
Do the Media have the power to shape public opinion? With the rise of the mass media throughout the world, predominantly the Western world, the issue of media influence has become a serious one. With state and capitalist controlled media industries throughout the world how can we be sure that what we are being told is accurate or even true at all? The many forms of media only serve to accentuate such influences; Rupert Murdoch for example owns a huge portion of the British media industry. With his obvious personal interests and huge influential powers is there really anyway of being certain that the media are not just projecting his personal slant upon reality to ensure civil obedience to serve his capitalist interests. The same is true of state controlled media such as in China where people are exposed to only Chinese propaganda. Such issues have created heated debate throughout the world and many theories of how influential media influence is have been proposed. Adorno and Horkheimer developed the theory of a 'Culture Industry', which they believe has lead to the usurpation of public opinion. People's actions are shrewdly influenced by their own subscription to this industry leaving no room for autonomous thought or action. Habermas developed the theory of the 'public sphere' in which people can talk freely of public interest matters such as politics. This freedom has been
Discuss the representation of females in the media, and what if anything, should be done about this?
Audience Research Name: Kate Adams ID: 104104 Lecturer: John Penhallurick Tutor: Annabel Beckenham Question Four: Discuss the representation of females in the media, and what if anything, should be done about this? It is generally accepted that the media, primarily television, 'lags' behind reality and current social trends (Butler and Paisley, 1980) (Gunter, Television and Sex Role Stereotyping). However, This does not make the way women are portrayed in the media any better. Women are not only under-represented in the media but more importantly are portrayed to be "half clad, half witted and needing to be rescued by quick thinking fully clothed men" (Stereotypes, Adelson 1990). Women are most commonly portrayed as sexual objects and housewives; whose lives revolve around landing the right man. "When women are in the news, their role is often trivialized. World leaders are described in terms of their hats or dress designers" (Benedict, Virgin or Vamp, 1992). Women are portrayed as jealous and insecure, and often neurotic. This type of unrealistic ideal portrayed in the media is being forced upon society today, and is having serious negative effects on the way women are being viewed and treated in society. Most media forms are similar in the portrayal of women (for example, television, magazines, and newspapers), however; the advertising industry takes the stereotype of
Are we influenced by TV and film? Briefly discuss the evidence and arguments for and against censorship.
Media and Ideology Q1. Are we influenced by TV and film? Briefly discuss the evidence and arguments for and against censorship. Censorship of the media allows either the government or a governmentally appointed department the right to dictate to individuals what they are allowed to view. In a democratic society, personal freedom is of paramount importance and therefore we should have the right watch what ever we want. But, the most vulnerable in society, for example young children need to be protected, and consideration must be given to the feelings and sensitivities of minority groups, for example racially motivated violence or hatred. It is only though legislation that society is able to ensure that the vulnerable are protected. Censorship of television, film and videos allows our children to be shielded from unsuitable material, including bad language, sex and violence. All societies have some form of censorship or control over the media. Although there will always be differences of opinion on what is suitable or acceptable, the issue is who do we allow to control media output and how do they do this. Every film and TV programme that is going to be shown at the cinema or released on video or DVD must be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The BBFC was formed in 1913 and they view each film prior to release and give it a certificate. They decide
"Any sociological explanation of the influence of the mass media needs to take into account the social situation of the audien
"Any sociological explanation of the influence of the mass media needs to take into account the social situation of the audience." Explain and evaluate this view. "Members of a given sub-culture will tend to share a cultural orientation towards decoding messages in particular ways. Their individual 'readings' of messages will be framed by shared cultural formations and practices." [The Structured Interpretation Model] which is associated to Morley, David (1981b, p. 51). V arious theories, approaches, experiments & researches looked into the effects of the mass media on the audience. The social situation of the audience is considered in some of the studies. Others may believe that the influence of mass media would heavily depend on the social situation (age, ethnicity, gender, class, educational attainment, abnormality, etc.), while others may think that the audience in the society is greatly influenced by the mass media alone. Recent news alarmed the reading-audience how influential mass media could be. An Eminem impersonator killed his fan without a particular reason! Some believe that media played a role why he behaved in that particular way, while others may argue that it is because of his social situation. This will be assessed by looking at different arguments & explanations. The Hypodermic Syringe Model of mass media effects suggests that media content is directly
Cultural and Media Analysis
Richard Adams Cultural and Media Analysis Take Away Examination, March 2005 Question 6): 'Today the flux of meaning around masculinity has produced a 'debate' between them. The representation of different masculinities has produced two idealised images that correspond to the repressed and public meanings of masculinity: what I will call the New Man and the Retributive Man respectively.' (Rutherford 1988: 28) Explore the validity of this statement in relation to contemporary media representations. It is contended that elements of Rutherford's statements are invalid when applied to contemporary media representations of masculinity. Rutherford's argument is threefold. Firstly, he contends that his contemporary media portrayed two polarised images of men; they were either sensitive "new" men or they were more stereotypical, patriarchal "retributive" men, arguing that there is no grey area in between or overlaps apparent. Secondly he proposes that this was an aspiration and thus an unreal construct; that these states were desired and that men strove to meet them, as they were somewhat out of the reality that most men conceived. He also here appears to imply a value judgement- that the media intended to influence the shaping of men and through an idealised perception. Thirdly he argues that in the late 1980's the new man was repressed and that the retributive man was the
Does the media have an effect on the way people think and act, in reference to the issues of violence?
Does the media have an effect on the way people think and act, in reference to the issues of violence? Media is the 'communication industry and technology' [p188, J, Hull: (1995), 'Media, Communication, Culture, Lull James.'] that includes newspapers, magazines, radio, television and film. Because of the media's ability to communicate in many different forms and communicate to great length's, it has been given the term 'mass media'. This definition given by J, Hull suggests that as technology develops, the more chance the media will get to put across messages internationally. ' The term mass refers to the ability of the communication technologies to send messages over broad expanses of space and time in order to reach many people.' [p188, J, Hull: (1995), 'Media, Communication, Culture, Lull James.'] Each mass medium serves a variety of functions and is used by individuals, groups and whole society to perform specific functions. The discussion about media production and content and the role of the media is a very debatable and an important topic. It can certainly be said that violence in the media can influence their audiences and everyone knows this fact. This can be shown from the existence of the TV Violence Concern, made official debut in 1952 because of the many hearings in connection with TV violence worldwide. Also another existence of concerns towards media and
Discuss evidence from at least 2 areas where it has been argued that media affects public belief and / or behaviour.
Sociology Level 1. Question 4b. Discuss evidence from at least 2 areas where it has been argued that media affects public belief and / or behaviour. Student Name: Alexander McCormick. Matriculation No. 0005671. Tutor: Patricia McCafferty. Essay Submitted: March 16th, 2001. Much can be said for the media and it's effects, it is an area, which has received much attention and has been utilised in a variety of forms, for a multitude of reasons, with both positive and negative influences. There can be no doubt that it is a powerful tool, and used for the right reason, it could be a wonderful thing. This essay will look at evidence supporting claims that certain people use the media to propagate pro Capitalist Ideology, manipulating in a very deliberate way the response and content of media. With evidence from a British study by Grover and Soothill, of the press reporting of sexually motivated murders, Australian Stuart Fists article on the suppression of the Tumour potential of GSM cellular phones. American Carl Jensen's 20yrs of censored news which looks at the diabolical record of American Government services and their involvement in suppressing sensational stories, and the content analysis of the British mainstream media reporting by Greg Philo, this essay will attempt to summarise the evidence supporting their claims. From a positive historical perspective, the
Ireland has a long history of censorship but this has been employed for different reasons in different periods. Compare the political and cultural motivations behind two different periods of censorship since 1922.
Q: Ireland has a long history of censorship but this has been employed for different reasons in different periods. Compare the political and cultural motivations behind two different periods of censorship since 1922. Introduction: This essay is based on two periods of censorship in Ireland: censorship of 'evil literature' in the second quarter of the twentieth century and the Emergency censorship 1939-1945. It will be argued that the main motivator behind the 1929 censorship was the Church while censorship during the Emergency was driven by political considerations. It will be made evident that the government's role became increasingly strong as church influence diminished and in some cases acted against what was perceived as national interest. Censorship of Publications Act 1929 'They deceive the ordinary, average, ignorant reader into believing...that they are orthodox publications approved by the authority of the Church, and that consequently what they say should have considerable moral weight. Sectarian bitterness and animosity are favoured and encouraged by these papers. They preach and practice a code that is as far removed from the Christian religion as barbarianism is divorced from civilisation' (Woodman cited C.K Ward 1985:31) * Cultural Motivations-Religion In order to understand the religious motivations of censorship in the early twentieth century,