CRITICAL MEDIA STUDIES - MEDIA INDUSTRIES

 UNDERSTANDING KEY TERMS

SUPERSTRUCTURE

Marxism, holds that social consciousness, as encoded in institutions such as religion, politics, government, education, etc., which Marx collectively referred to as the cultural superstructure, it reflects or mirrors the material conditions of society, which he termed the economic base. 

SYNERGY

 The involvement of multiple subsidiary companies in the cross‐development, production, and distribution of a media brand for the purpose of exploiting it for all the profit possible.

SPECTACLE

 The concept of spectacle describes the media’s obsession with the sensational and arresting, scandalous and shocking dimensions of a situation or context. It refers to that which grabs hold of our attention either because it is tantalizing or because it is startling. 

OBJECTIVITY 

Or the reporting of facts in a fair and impartial manner. 

INFORMATION BIAS

Not only is the gathering of the news a highly standardized process, but so too is the reporting of the news. The stories presented in the news overwhelmingly demonstrate four information biases: personalization, dramatization, fragmentation, and authority–disorder. 

POLITICAL BIAS

Refers to the ideological slant (i.e. liberal or conservative) of a news organization. In the 21st century, political bias is a significant and dangerous reality of our news landscape. Several factors have contributed to this new reality, but chief among them is the rise of niche news sources aimed at attracting and appealing to particular audiences based on their political leanings and tastes