Media representations aren’t as simple and as straight – forward as they may seem.

The signs, images etc that are constructed via the media to represent reality never present an objective window on the world.

Reality is: it’s largely a fantasy land that’s presented to us through a patchwork of media representations.

Media representations often offer the illusion of experience, knowledge and understanding.

Stuart Hall:

1. Reflective approach = media representation reflects reality (naive and overly-simplistic way of understanding media representations)
2. Intentional approach = reality is created by media representation
3. Constructionist approach = representations do construct meaning in our lives, but this is partnered by our experiences of the ‘real’ world

Key questions we should always ask ourselves:

1. Who or what is being represented?
2. Who is the representation for?
3. Who is doing the representing?
4. Why?

• Different media creators work with different motivations and different political perspective:
• A political poster created by the British National Party will paint a very different picture of British ethnic diversity
• than a campaign promoting the values and the richness of multicultural Britain.
• So: why?
• We should always be aware of these sorts of different motivations in constructing media representations.

Stereotyping – a key element of media representation we’re very familiar with: definition?

• A short-cut to understanding someone or something. And short-cuts are often flawed…
• A generalised understanding which refers to groups rather than individuals.
• A depersonalising process that (often unfairly) categorises individuals into groups, based on perceived shared characteristics.

The ambiguities of media representation: Ali G

• Is the character of Ali G a crude, mocking stereotype of black youth culture?
• Or is this representation mocking those who are stupid enough to believe in such stereotypes?

‘Old Media’ vs. ‘New Media’ texts

‘Old’ = Analogue

• Media as tangible, physical forms (e.g. celluloid film or vinyl)
• Took time and human skill to produce
• Prone to damage and deterioration

‘New’ = Digital

• Media as storable, transmittable digital code
• Easily produced and reproduced
• High definition and resilient to damage and deterioration

Social media and self representation: Key questions:

• Is social media connecting us or making us more self-absorbed?
• Why do we feel compelled to endlessly represent ourselves via social media platforms?
• Are we becoming too dependent upon the virtual worlds which social media allow us to inhabit?
• Do our Facebook profiles or our Twitter feeds really offer an accurate reflection of our day-to-day lives and experiences? If not, what are they for?