British Politics and the Media – Introduction
British Politics and the Press
British Politics and the Tabloid Press
British Politics and Media Ownership
British Politics and Media Self Regulation
The Leveson Inquiry and Regulation
British Politics and the Cinema Newsreel
British Politics and the Radio
British Politics and the Television
British Politics and the Internet
Media Effects Theory – Direct Effects
Media Effects Theory – Minimal Effects
Media Effects Theory – Long Term Effects
Constructivism, Media and Society
Structuralism and Critical Theory
Political Communication – Introduction
Political Communication – National and Direct
Political Communication – Local and Direct
Politicians and the Media – Their Relationship
The First Phase of Political Communication
The Second Phase of Political Communication
Political Communication – The Leader’s Debates 2010 and 2015
Joshua Meyrowitz coined the term medium theory in No Sense of Place, 1985 to describe those approaches that argue that when new forms of media are created they alter the social world.[amazon_link asins=’019504231X’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’brituniversity-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’c2811b62-741f-4f22-a97e-7c8f031f3857′]
Habermas has shown that the spread of literacy down the social scale and the development of a coffee shop culture in the 18th century, where discussion could take place, produced a new form of rational and radical debate.
In the past politicians were seen on platforms giving set piece speeches and their ability to use rhetoric and inspire influenced voters, whereas now they are seen on television in close detail and a more intimate format and so aspects of their character and looks have more effect on voters.
Neil Postman has argued that the format of television requires all programmes to be entertainment and this changes public attitudes to politics and the news (Amusing Ourselves to Death, 1985).[amazon_link asins=’014303653X’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’brituniversity-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’6776c818-3bb4-44af-aefd-45ff9178e794′]
The most famous writer in this school is Marshall McLuhan writing in the 1960s (especially Understanding Media, 1964).
Whereas the media effects school and the cultural and structuralist schools (explained below) concentrate on the nature of the messages that the media produce, McLuhan argued in his famous phrase that ‘the medium is the message’.[amazon_link asins=’0415253977′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’brituniversity-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’9bff836d-faf8-433c-9a71-a566680b49db’]
The effect on the senses of electronic media compared with the printed word produces new social forms. They are more bureaucratic and organised around mass production to individual consumers. The form of the old medium turns into the content of the new media, for example, the narrative novel becomes the content of the motion picture.
Although medium theory has had minority support among media theorists and been accused of technological determinism, it has been revived with the changes introduced by the internet.
The internet’s characteristics which are that is interactive, easily crosses national boundaries, is cheap, is quick and is not easily controlled by commercial or governmental organisations have led to claims that it would enhance democracy, lead to the decline of media corporations and increase global understanding.
