Conflict.hegemony

We Media & Democracy

Topic ObjectivesFor this topic you need to learn about the following, in relation to at least two

areas of the media:

• What are ‘We Media’?

• Where / how has ‘We Media’ emerged?

• In what way are the contemporary media more democratic than before?

• In what ways are the contemporary media less democratic than before?

Today’s Aims

• To understand the Marxist view of the Mass Media e.g. Conflict/Hegemonic theory

Cultural Theorists and Theories

• Marxist ideology• Gramsci, cultural hegemony• Chomsky, media control• Fourth Estate of democracy

Cultural Hegemony

• Denotes the predominance of one class over another

• This represents not only political and economic control, but also the ability of the dominant class to project its own way of seeing the world so that those who are subordinated by it accept it as 'common sense' and 'natural'.

Karl Marx

• 1818-1883• Philosopher, political economist, theorist,

revolutionary, exile• Published Capital (1867), and The Communist

Manifesto (1984)

Capitalism

• A social &

Conflict Theory• Conflict theorists argue that some people benefit from the mass

media more than others.• In particular, the mass media favour the interests of dominant

classes and political groups in two ways:

a) Ownership of the mass media is highly concentrated in the hands of a small number of people and is highly profitable for them. Thus, the mass media are a source of economic inequality.

b) The mass media broadcast beliefs, values, and ideas that create widespread acceptance of the basic structure of society, including its injustices and inequalities. Also known as hegemonic theory

Conflict/Hegemonic Theory

Thinking Point

• Why might the news media be considered to be an important part of a democratic society?

• What evidence is there to suggest that the news media are not as democratic as we think?

Focus Task

• Exploring conflict/hegemonic theory in more depth

• In pairs, carry out research and create a mind map of ideas.

• Create a fact page about Noam Chomsky’s theories on the media and democracy

• Use bullet points and ensure that your info is clear for others