Media Studies
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Ideology for A2 Students
Ideology is one of the main media concepts. Media students are
expected to analyse and evaluate media texts and consider the
ideologies and values which are communicated through them in all
their work. At A2, it is expected that you will develop your critical
analysis skills in order to evaluate the medias ideological
perspectives rather than just identify the values present within texts.
http://www.ideologyinc.com/images/ideology_int_logo.gif
The aims of this Factsheet are:
To consider the nature of ideology
To discuss the medias role in communicating ideologies
To identify ideologies in contemporary news stories
To show how the analysis of ideologies can be an outcome
of the consideration of other media concepts
What is Ideology?
Within modern society we have a complex network of beliefs and
values which are shared by large proportions of the population.
These beliefs and values can be seen to be part of the ideological
framework of our culture. Within this though, groups of the
population may share specific beliefs and values which shape their
attitudes and the way that they perceive the world which may not
always be in line with the wider values of society. Individually held
ideologies shape the way people behave and relate to one another.
Some ideologies are overt, that is they can be clearly seen and
identified whilst others are more covert and are less obviously
observable as they are at the heart of our own culture.
Activity
Consider your own ideological position on these issues.
Do you believe war is sometimes a necessary evil?
Do you believe war is a failure of democracy?
Do you believe that governments should allow people to
manage their own lives?
Do you believe that governments should be actively involved
in helping people manage their lives?
Do you believe people should collaborate together to
support the disadvantaged in society?
Do you believe people should be responsible only for
themselves and their immediate family?
Number 038
Your beliefs may differ from your friends and familys but some
ideologies are largely agreed across the culture. Personal ideologies
are the outcome of an individuals experiences and the influences in
their lives. Cultural ideologies are constructed via a number of
institutional sources including the law, our education system and
religion. One of the institutions often cited as having a potentially
large impact on cultural and personal values in the mass media.
Media texts communicate a range of ideologies and we are all
exposed to them from a range of sources.
The dominant ideologies of a culture are those that are largely
accepted by the majority. Some of these ideologies may seem like
common sense, but they are still ideologies: for example:
Certain crimes should be punishable by imprisonment
Freedom of speech is an important right
A full working week lasts for five days
Everyone over the age of 18 should have the opportunity to
vote
The dominant ideologies in our culture may not be shared by all
social groups in the UK; they are those shared by the majority or by
powerful groups within the culture. Our values are not shared by
people in all cultures worldwide.
Definition: Ideology
1. a belief system or world-view; a coherent structure of thinking
2. a set of values shared by a social/cultural group
Structured Ideologies
Some groups have distinct and specific world-views which are
shaped by the ideologies of the group. Religious groups, for
example, have clearly defined values and these values define the
groups way of thinking. However, even within a religion such as
Christianity, there are different interpretations which lead to different
world views. This can be evidenced when looking at the difference
between Catholics and Evangelical Christians, between Anglicans
and Baptists etc. They are all Christians but their belief systems are
subtly different leading to differing perspectives on the world. Politics
is traditionally ideologically based. Left wing and right wing politics
has different world views. The right wing focuses on individuals
and the importance of free trade whilst left wing politics sees the
world as being based around communities and a more social
economic structure.
Activity
Look up the following isms on Wikipedia to see the
differences in world view held by those who subscribe to these
ways of thinking. These ideas all consider how society should
be organised in terms of economics but they come to very
different conclusions.
Capitalism
Socialism
Communism