Representation and Ideology

The conceptual area of representation and ideology considers the relationships between people, places, events, ideas, values and beliefs and how these are represented in the media; and the issues and debates arising from their representations.

Key Questions

1. Whose interests does the text serve? (Written by someone to someone)
2. Who is presented in this text? Who is absent from this text? (Viewpoint? Bias?)
3. What does the text tell us about who made it and when and where they made it? (Detached?)
4. Has its meaning changed over the years and in what ways?
5. What judgements do you make about the truth, accuracy or effect of this text?
6. What judgements might other people or groups make about it? (Their background?)
7. What values are offered, either directly or indirectly by the text?
8. What conclusions can we draw from it, what issues does it raise?
9. What do we need to consider when making a media ext?
10. What messages and values are we using in our decision-making?