Mass Media: Genres, Objectives, and Influence

Posted on Oct 14, 2024 in Philosophy and ethics

  • Test Language

  • Millennium Media

  • 1. Report:

    Developing facts relevant to society.

  • 2. Form an Opinion:

    Information is selected and sorted according to ideological criteria, encouraging the recipient to take a position.

  • 3. Education:

    Transmitting cultural values of different generations.

  • 4. Promoting Services:

    Delivering services useful for the individual and society.

  • 5. Persuasion:

    Convincing the reader through arguments supporting a thesis.

  • 6. Entertainment:

    A requirement of modern life.

  • The Mass Media

  • 1. Stages

  • 2. Objectives

  • 3. Genres

    • Information: Information developed.
    • Opinion: Present a particular vision.
    • Hybrid: Combine opinion and information.

  • Information Genres

  • 1. The News:

    Developing information relevant to a particular community.

    • Structure: Follows an inverted pyramid structure (Lead and development of information in paragraphs). The story develops the questions: What, When, Who, Why, Where, and How.
    • Purpose/Title: Synthesizes information or considers an aspect of it.
    • Headline: Summarizes the most important aspects of information (written in capital letters).
    • Downs: Additional information that may or may not develop in the body of the story.
    • First Paragraph (Lead): Summary information answering key questions.
    • Other Paragraphs: Detailed information.

  • Report

    Informs, interprets, and develops information derived from an investigation. Deals with different aspects of reality built on various subjects. The journalist’s view is not explicitly stated but inferred from how the facts are presented.

    • Structure:
    • Lead: The introduction and general framework of the topic. Can be:
      • Summary: Answers 5-6 key questions.
      • At Once: Starts with an irony or epigram.
      • Contrast: Presents both positive and negative information.
      • Quote: Starts with a quote.
      • Questions: Starts with a question.
      • Painting: Provides a description.
      • Background: Sets the geographical context.
    • Body:
      • In Action: Prioritizes the narrative, has a multi-pyramid structure (presents the fact, develops it, then returns to the beginning).
      • The Event: Presents a static view of the facts, as if they have already finished. Information is ranked from highest to lowest importance. Prioritizes description.
      • By Appointment/Interview: Combines narrative (unfolding through the testimony of the interviewee) with description (provided by the journalist). (Lead, research, reflection)

  • Opinion Genres

    Develop views on various topics of interest to a particular community.

    • Editorial: Presents the views of the responsible entity (e.g., director) on a contingent matter that generates debate and concern.
    • Op-Ed: Develops the view of a character with social connotations on a controversial issue arising from the contingency. Signed by the author.
    • Letter to the Editor: Space for readers to express opinions on various topics, developing arguments and counterarguments.

  • The Interview

    A structured dialogue between a journalist and a leading figure in a community.

    • Structure:
    • Title: Suggestive, intended to capture attention. Can be extracted from the interviewee’s responses.
    • Introduction: Presentation of the interviewee, including biographical background and work performed.
    • Body:
      • Open Questions: Requiring elaborate responses.
      • Nonverbal Cues: Written in parentheses.
    • Development:
      • Selection of the best questions and answers.
      • Private information is not published unless permitted.

  • Stereotype

    A cliché or mold whose characteristics are attributed to all members of a group (generalization).

    Advertising, marketing, and media are primarily responsible for stereotypes, promoting consumption patterns and proposing certain conduct.

    • Types of Stereotypes:
    • Sexist: Attribute more value to one sex.
    • Social: Differentiate according to social status.
    • Ethnic: Differentiate races, giving more value to some.

  • Literary Topics

    Commonplace or cliché themes that become fashionable at a particular time, expressing a common thought.

    • Carpe Diem: “Seize the day,” an invitation to enjoy youth.
    • Collige, Virgo, Rosas: “Gather, maiden, the roses.”
    • Ubi Sunt: “Where are they?” Raises the question about the fate of humans and the meaninglessness of earthly life.
    • Beatus Ille: “Blessed is he,” an invitation to leave the noise of the city.
    • Locus Amoenus: “Pleasant place,” presentation of an ideal place for communication with God, where nature appears in its original state.