In a nutshell
1. Representations are carefully selected, put in an order, and constructed.
2. People learn about the world they live in from personal observation and media representations. This knowledge and information is used as a basis for decision-making both of a personal and community nature.
3. Media representations vary in credibility and reliability.
4. Computer imaging and other modern technology makes possible representations of people who never met being seen, and even speaking together, as for example in the movie Forest Gump.
5. It is important to continually examine and evaluate for believability, accuracy and bias the sources of the media representations you rely on.
6. Audiences are affected by the representations they see in the media, for example men and women may come to believe they have to be slim, as well-groomed, and as perfect as the media representations. The setting of such almost unreachable standards of achievement and appearance can cause ill-health and unhappiness in audiences.
7. People's first view, and sometimes sole knowledge of many professions and jobs (medicine, the law, the police force, the fire service) often comes entirely from media representations. Therefore it is important that these be accurate and like the situation in the place where the audience is viewing. Representations made in one country may be believed to be applicable in another - for example, the United States and the 'right to bear arms'.
8. Giving detailed media attention to a part of a matter or issue can give it a disproportionate importance or render it wickedly attractive.
1. Representations are carefully selected, put in an order, and constructed.
2. People learn about the world they live in from personal observation and media representations. This knowledge and information is used as a basis for decision-making both of a personal and community nature.
3. Media representations vary in credibility and reliability.
4. Computer imaging and other modern technology makes possible representations of people who never met being seen, and even speaking together, as for example in the movie Forest Gump.
5. It is important to continually examine and evaluate for believability, accuracy and bias the sources of the media representations you rely on.
6. Audiences are affected by the representations they see in the media, for example men and women may come to believe they have to be slim, as well-groomed, and as perfect as the media representations. The setting of such almost unreachable standards of achievement and appearance can cause ill-health and unhappiness in audiences.
7. People's first view, and sometimes sole knowledge of many professions and jobs (medicine, the law, the police force, the fire service) often comes entirely from media representations. Therefore it is important that these be accurate and like the situation in the place where the audience is viewing. Representations made in one country may be believed to be applicable in another - for example, the United States and the 'right to bear arms'.
8. Giving detailed media attention to a part of a matter or issue can give it a disproportionate importance or render it wickedly attractive.