MIGRAIN: Feminist theory

 Media Magazine reading - two articles on feminism and theory

 Playing With The Past: Post-feminism and the Media

1) What examples are provided from the two texts of the 'male gaze' (Mulvey)?

Pan Am - In the pilot episode, one of the stewardesses are pictured on a magazine cover, carefully and purposely constructed to objectify and sexualise her, giving the men visual pleasures. At the end of the episode, the stewardess are shown walking down the airport, gaining the attention of male characters (and audience). 

Beyoncé - In her song "Why Don't You Love Me", Beyoncè's choice of costume has been constructed in a way to offer visceral pleasure for her male audiences. The use of 'playfully gazing as the camera', giving a direct mode of address offers the 'male gaze' to the audience, which is further reinforced by the 'sexy outfits', sexualising and objectifying her. 

2) Do texts such as these show there is no longer a need for feminism or are they simply sexism in a different form?

In my opinion I believe that these texts do not show that there is no more need of feminism, but instead show feminism in a different form. This is because, in these media products, the women are shown to be powerful, etc. using their looks as their weapon.

3) Choose three words/phrases from the glossary of the article and write their definitions on your blog.

Feminism - A movement aimed at establishing and fighting for women's rights. 

Post-feminism - An ideology in media and society, showing that we are past feminism and no longer need it.

Male gaze - Laura Mulvey's theory suggesting that females characters are objectified and sexualised, and so offer pleasures for the male audiences.

The Theory Drop: Gender Performativity

1) How does the writer suggest gender performativity is established from a young age?

Young children are brought up with external influences that makes us perform in a different way due to our gender, for example the clothes we wear and the toys we play with.  e.g. boys are rough and tough so play with nerf guns and girls are sensible and reputation to uphold so play with kitchen sets and dolls.

2) What does the phrase 'non-binary' refer to and how does it link to Butler's theory?

Non-binary is someone who does not categories themselves as male or female. This fits in with Butler's theory as Butler suggests that gender is more of a 'performance' then biological circumstances. 

3) How and why does the media help reinforce gender stereotypes? The writer provides several examples in the final section of the article.

That females are taught to be sensible, caring and kind and that they need to have a certain standard of beauty, for others acceptance in society. 

That males are taught to be rough and tough, so this is why there are more women suffering an abusive relationship.  

Music video analysis

Beyoncè - Why Don't You Love Me 

1) How might this video contribute to Butler’s idea that gender roles are a ‘performance’?

This relates to Butler's idea as she has adopted and 'preformed' the roles that are associated with females. 

2) What might van Zoonen suggest regarding the representation of women in this video?

van Zoonen might suggest that this music video is a clear example of her theory. This is because females are objectified in this video and are sexualised. They restricted to their roles as she is portrayed as a housewife, reinforcing stereotypes that women are domestic goddesses. 

However, she might suggest that some representations have changed. This is because in one scene, she has burnt the food. This subverts the stereotypes of women being domestic goddesses and good cooks. Also, she can be seen as more active than passive, as she has the power to question her spouse of why they don't love her, making her look rebellious.

3) What are YOUR views on this debate – does Beyonce empower women or reinforce the traditional ‘male gaze’ and oppression of women? 

In my opinion, I think partially agree that Beyoncé has the power as she objectifies herself as she knows that will make her lover, love her. She also has power to question the thought of her spouse, showing her dominance.  However, this also reinforces the 'male gaze', as she objectifies and sexualises herself with our actions and costume (mise-en-scene), which offer men pleasure.

Will Jay - Gangsta

1) How does the video suggest representations of masculinity have changed in recent years?

This video suggests that the representation of masculinity have changed over time. This is because stereotypically, men are to be strong, brave, dominate and superior. However, this video subverts these stereotypes, suggesting that man don't need to be physically strong, this is seen when he cannot pick up the dumbbell or do push-ups. Also, it suggests the men do need to be 'gangsters' to be brave and dominant.  

2) What does David Gauntlett suggest about representations of men in the media over the last 20 years?

That the representations of men in the media have changed over the years, reflecting similarities of feminism.

3) What is YOUR view on the representation of men and masculinity? Are young men still under pressure from the media to act or behave in a certain way?

In my opinion, I think that the representations of masculinity and men is accepting, as the over the years, men have gone to different industries e.g. fashion designing, and that men aren't only meant to do 'educational' courses and not for jobs that don't pay high. Young men are under pressure from the media to be brave and superior, and both physically and mentally strong. This, influences them to act and behave in a certain due to these demands. This puts them under stress and makes them commit acts that they otherwise wouldn't do.

Introduction to feminism

 

Everyday Sexism

Watch the Everyday Sexism TED talk from Laura Bates (linked above) and answer the following questions:

1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project?

Bates started this projects as she has been assaulted (verbally/sexually) in a sexual manner. She wanted to see whether women are equal in todays society and also wanted other people to come out and talk about their past encounters.

2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies?

Post-feminism is where feminists strive to tackle against gender inequality and aim to make a equal community. Everyday Sexism aims to do the same by making a much more fair society, and helping people by spreading awareness about the sexual misconducts carried out.

3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project?

In my opinion, I think that technology was an important part in the success of the Everyday Sexism project, as this helped people gain the  confidence to come out and tell people about the harassment that they have experienced. Also, it helped people gain insight on what it is like to go through this treatment so they can speak out and make people aware that this isn't right. 

4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism?

In my opinion, I think projects like Everyday Sexism will always be required as there are always toxic people in the society who will assault women and promote gender inequality, and so having a platform where we can make people aware of these issues and where past victims can express their feelings. 

In my opinion, I think the future of feminism will result is more campaign and more people identifying as feminists. However there will be some issues as there are different types of feminists so they may have conflict with each other.  

Media Magazine: The fourth wave?

1) Summarise the questions in the first two sub-headings: What is networked feminism? Why is it a problem?

Network feminism is the fourth wave of feminism. They aim to tackle social equality and the issues found on technology and promoting this through online campaigns on social media using '#'. People mostly use Twitter to post ideologies. A problem is that many people do not know what feminism really is. There are also many types of feminists e.g. liberal feminists who try to achieve public equality in society. This creates a divisions between the different types of feminists, perhaps causing conflict between themselves.  

2) What are the four waves of feminism? Do you agree that we are in a fourth wave of ‘networked feminism’? 

1. The first wave - late 19th century to early 20th century - focused on the suffragette movement.
2. The second wave - 1960's campaigned for equal rights, leading to equal pay act of 1970.
3. The third wave - around the 1990's (post-feminism) women empowerment.
4. The fourth wave - 2010 - ongoing,(networking feminism) which aims to tackle inequality using the media.

In my opinion, I think we are in the fourth wave of feminism. This is is because more people and celebrities promote these messages online through there social media pages, to create this awareness, and also using the '#' sign to spread there campaign.  

3) Focus on the examples in the article. Write a short summary of EACH of the following: Everyday Sexism, HeForShe, FCKH8 campaign, This Girl Can.

Everyday Sexism

This project was started by Laura Bates in 2012. She started this as she experienced verbal and physical sexual misconduct and felt that she needed to make people aware of these problems in our society and also wanted other victims to feel the comfort to tell their experiences. She established the website so people can get their voices heard and had 50,000 people come out talk about the sexism they received.

HeForShe

The campaign is run by Emma Watson and is about creating an equal society and not only about females. She also used males to get this message of feminism across. She used Twitter for a Q&A session. This received criticism as it focuses on the men suggesting that women aren't strong and rely on men, reinforcing these stereotypes.

FCKH8 campaign

This campaign focuses on the modern day representation of girls and all the inequalities in the society that they go through. This was a video which showed a young girl 'F-bombing' to create awareness of this inequality.

This Girl Can

This campaign is focused on fitness and does not discriminate them about their body. An online petition 'Stop taxing periods. Period' to not tax tampons as they are an essential item.

4) What is your opinion with regards to feminism and new/digital media? Do you agree with the concept of a 'fourth wave' of feminism post-2010 or are recent developments like the Everyday Sexism project merely an extension of the third wave of feminism from the 1990s?

In my opinion, I agree with the 'forth wave of feminism' as using the media and technology as a platform to make people aware of the inequality that exists is a good way to promote campaigns as many people use social media, so awareness is bound to be created. Projects like Everyday Sexism is in the 'fourth wave of feminism' as it relies and uses technology/the media to promote their ideologies.

January assessment learner response

 1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential).

WWW: A balanced, detailed and comprehensive answer to Q4

EBI: More understanding needed on PSBs

30/43 Grade B

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.

Q1: The connotations of the crown motif in detail and the crown meaning - the 'h.i.t.h.' in the crown and the use of the union jack could connote British power and royalty.

Q2: Benefits for Horizontal and Diversification - A benefit for diversification is that it allows companies to embrace and get involved in new technologies and make new revenue.

Q3: More against argument needed- PSBs create more market than commercial which is unfair.

Q4: I had all theories maybe more examples needed to support theory - I could've talked more about the 'mean world syndrome' suggested by Gerbner.


3) On a scale of 1-10 (1 = low, 10 = high), how much revision and preparation did you do for this assessment? You may also want to think here whether you had completed all the original blog tasks from last term before doing the assessment.

8 - I hade done a lot of revision on the industries and audiences and their theories. However, I didn't look back at the meaning that can be constructed through products (Q1) and how they are created.

4) Look at your answer for Question 2. Did you manage to write about three different strategies and three different benefits? It's vital you read the question and follow it exactly.

Yes I did, but 2 benefits were incorrect - I needed to talk about how these strategies help gain revenue and audiences.

5) Look at your answer for Question 3. Did you follow the question guidance and write about both the BBC and commercial broadcasters? What could you have added to this answer to reach a higher mark?

I followed the guidance, but I didn't develop my against argument enough. I could've added how younger viewers don't watch TV these days and the funding model is outdated.

6) Now look over your mark, teacher comments and the mark scheme for Question 4 - the 20 mark essay question on media effects theory. Write a new paragraph for this question based on the suggested theories/answers in the mark scheme. Make sure it is an extensive, detailed paragraph focused on the question and offering examples from the wider media. 

Gerbner's cultivation theory suggests that heavy TV viewers develop the 'mean world syndrome'. This is when the audience find society much more dangerous then it is and feel hostile in it. For example the news about the war in Russia and Ukraine can make the audience feel threatened as there are many toxic people and toxic acts being committed. This then makes them feel that everyone is like that and become extra cautious of their surroundings. This is a damaging effect to the audience as they are being influenced and aren't consciously aware of what is really happening.

Representation

 

1) Why is representation an important concept in Media Studies?

Representations are important in the media as it mediates between the industries to create a meaning for the audience. It is filtered through somebodies point of view. It creates an ideological meaning. 

2) How does the example of Kate Middleton show the way different meanings can be created in the media?

The ways that she is shown in the pictures can be interpreted in different ways. For example for the first picture could be used as the example that she has a drinking problem due to her being shown of drinking a cup of wine. However, the second picture suggests that she is on a formal trip to perhaps visit a new vineyard and is in a meeting. 

3) Summarise the section 'The how, who and why of media representation' in 50 words.

Media texts have a specific function which have an impact on representations created. Producers consider different aspects when created different media texts. Such as target audiences, genres, their narrative and their remit. Representations are collective media language choices, which are rejected and made. These representations are a mixture of these. Rejected elements have no meaning. Simple elements can be used to create much larger meaning. This creates ideologies with a much larger representation. These ideologies eventually start to feel normal and become "natural". Barthes suggests that "natrualisation" of ideas hides the ideologies. It is present but comes as common sense. It is unquestioned which leads to "the silencing of difference" (Barthes).

4) How does Stuart Hall's theory of preferred and oppositional readings fit with representation?

Hall's theory allows us to interpret media texts in different views allowing us to have different interpretations on the representations intended and created by the consumer 

5) How has new technology changed the way representations are created in the media?

Technology has changed, and now enables users to create content. This allows users (now producers) to make a impression, showing their audiences a different side to them, and overall creating a positive outlook and representation on themselves.

6) What example is provided of how national identity is represented in Britain - and how some audiences use social media to challenge this?

The Sun sent a newspaper to 22 million people for free, representing the British culture and symbolism of the culture. However many people opposed this using social media, distancing themselves from these British views. 

Watch the clip from Luther that we studied in class (Season 1, Episode 1 - minute 7.40-10.00 - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access the clip). Now answer these final two questions:

7) Write a paragraph analysing the dominant and alternative representations you can find in the clip from Luther.

Dominant - At the end of the clip the two men, who are going to solve the case is an accurate representations. This is because have the men do these jobs reinforces the male stereotypes of being mentally/physically strong and dominant. And by not having a women do it, reinforces stereotypes that they are weak and feeble and wouldn't be able to do the job.

Alternative - At the start, showing the man who looks miserable, subverts stereotypes and shows men as emotional and having feelings. Also, the lady is his superior, this subverts stereotypes showing women are dominant and confident. Also, having a black police detective, of high status, subverts stereotypes of black people being criminals and shows them as intellectual and respected.

8) Write a paragraph applying a selection of our representation theories to the clip from Luther. Our summary of each theory may help you here:

Levi-Strauss: representation and ideology

The representations shows ideologies that black people can be officers, subverting the stereotypes. This is because the clip has the main character who is black male, who looks well respected and has a high status. By having a black police officer and a female who is a superior police officer is a good representation.

Mulvey: the male gaze

The interaction between the man and the lady, they talk about a "Zoe" - the lady states "She talks about asking you back, I actually do it." She also says how there is "difference" between them. This shows how women are presented as objects as the man wanted to be with her. Also by making the dialogue state "asking you back" suggests that the men are superior and as if they need to seek permission from him. This objectifies women, so are presented "to look at"

Dyer: stereotyping and power

By having a white police officer who is the superior, suggests that she has more power and also by doing this, stereotypes of white people being more educated and and being more dominant are reinforced, making the black character powerless.

Medhurst: value judgements

By having men do the detective work reinforces that they are more dominant. This is because, event thought they have female character, the men are the ones to carry the case on. This could lead to negative stereotypes that women are inferior and weak, so can't carry the job out.

Perkins: some stereotypes can be positive or true

The men are shown as tough and powerful. This reinforces stereotypes showing men are dominant and superior can be positive as it could show how protective they are. This shows them in a productive way rather than a negative way.

MIGRAIN: Industries - Regulation

 

1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?

When industries are overseen by the government to make sure the market is fair and that the content provided is appropriate for the audiences. They need to be regulated so that one media industry doesn't monopolies the market and that their product is suitable.

2) What is OFCOM responsible for?

The OFCOM are responsible for regulating broadcasters (TV). This includes the BBC.

3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?

• Section 2: Harm and offence 
• Section 3: Crime
• Section 8: Privacy

Section 2 & 3 are important to regulate to make sure it is suitable as these can easily influence people.

Section 8 is important as people privacy should be respected and should not be invaded.

4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?

In my opinion, I disagree with OFCOM, and that it was suitable for Channel 4 to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6:55pm on a Sunday evening. Firstly Channel 4 put a disclaimer on before Wolverine started giving the audiences a warning. Therefore it was up to the parents of the young children to allow or disallow their children to watch it. Also, the timing it was broadcasted shouldn't affect whether it is suitable for a young audience to watch. Channel 4 has an audience with the average ages of 16-34 years old. It was also a Sunday evening, so many people of these ages would be going to work/school the next day so would want to go bed a bit earlier, so an earlier viewing/time slot would be better. 

5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice. 

• Section 1: Accuracy
• Section 4: Harassment
• Section 7: Children in sex cases
• Section 11: Victims of sexual assault
• Section 16: Payment to criminals 

6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?

When newspaper's breach the rules, the victim doesn't receive justice. Due to this the Press Complaints Commission was criticised for not doing their job properly.

7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?

The Leveson enquiry was an enquiry leading to 2 men being imprisoned for intercepting for hacking into the royal phone lines. It was setup as practices and ethics of the press, and culture wanted to be looked into.

8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?

The PCC was replaces by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?

In my opinion, I think free press is important part of living in a democracy as we should have free speech, but what the press say about about someone needs to be true. They can't be lying or giving fake news about someone. If the press do do this, then the victim should be able to take this matter to the regulating body and deny these claims with evidence. If it is found that the press did lie, then they should face a fine. 

10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?

The internet is hard to regulate as it is international and has a range of multinational companies who have much more power. So you can't block different things from companies. Regulating the internet also exposes consumers ip addresses, data etc. so it would cause privacy and ethical issues.