Representation in the Media (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Media Studies): Revision Note

What is representation?

• Representation is how people, places, events and ideas are shown in the media

• Producers construct representations through mediation

• Representation can influence how audiences think and feel about groups or issues

Mediation

• Mediation is the idea that producers actively shape how reality is presented, understood, and experienced through the media language choices they make within their products

• Producers choose what to include, exclude or exaggerate

• As a result of these active choices, media products cannot reflect reality exactly

• The audience never sees events directly through media; they see them through a filter

• This “filter” often reflects the values and beliefs of the producers

Dominant Ideology

• Ideology is a set of ideas, beliefs and values

• Dominant ideology is the set of beliefs and values that most people in society accept as “normal” or “acceptable” in society

• Dominant ideology influences representation because the media repeatedly presents people and groups in ways that support these ideas

• Dominant ideologies often rely on stereotypes