Media Criticism - intro

Electronic Media Criticism, Peter Orlik

Media Debates Everette  E. Dennis, John  C. Merrill 

Media Analysis Techniques, Arthur AsaBerger (Semiotic Analysis)
Marxist Analysis, Psychoanalytic Criticism
Sociological Analysis

MEDIA AND SOCIETY:  Critical Perspectives, By Graeme Burton,  First Published 2005

Neil Postman:

AMUSING OURSELVES TO DEATH

FIVE THINGS WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

SAMPLES
Klaudia Drabek   - Stereotypyw komunikacji masowej

There are three simple steps in order to prepare a good PowerPoint presentation:

1. Pick a suitable theme / problem related to Media Philosophy (use the list below or suggest your own subject)

2. Choose appropriate methodology / theory to use in your small research (i.e. infotainment, Semiotic analysis  and others from the recommended literature).

3. Pick examples (5 – 10) from the media which illustrate your analysis and prepare a 15-minute presentation. 

Themes / Problems to choose from (Your choice is not limited to these):

Ø     Stereotypes in mass communication (ethnic, religious, gender and others): Do journalists exploit or destroy them?

Ø     Terrorism and media. ‘If it bleeds, it leads.’ Is this principle now crippling the industry?

Ø     Quality of media content: Is it getting better or worse? Infotainment.  Penny Press. Media Scandals.

Ø     Hoaxes and falsification in mass media. Role play in journalism (when a journalist plays the role of another person). Fake News.

Ø     Ways of controlling media content. Which of the following is the most effective: censorship, judicial control, financial control, or spin?

Ø     Erotic motives in mass media: Where do you draw the line between the erotic and pornography?

Ø     Manipulation in mass media: advertising and propaganda. Degree to which the media depends on advertising revenue. Are media outlets still independent? Psychological impact of ads.

Ø     Freedom and censorship in mass media: Why are restrictions often counterproductive?

Ø     Relation between Freedom and Technologies  (iPod liberalism: Would new media be able to do what missiles couldn't?)

Ø     How does the news media reflect our perception of reality?

Theories and methods of interpretation

Message Criticism, Medium Criticism, Receiver Criticism, Agenda Setting

Hypodermic needle, Infotainment