Media Regulation

Who regulates the media?

The print media in the UK is self-regulated; it operates free from any specific statutory rules. The profession has established the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) on it’s own initiative. There are different bodies that focus on precise areas. Media content regulation revolves around other codes of practice, some bodies drawn are up are either largely or entirely independent. In some cases bodies have developed media themselves has established the codes of practice with statutory powers over the media while in others the responsible bodies.

Why does the media need regulating?

The media needs regulating because; it makes sure that the public is protected from biased tabloids and campaigns. Also all media institutions have limits and rules that they have to follow.

Should media texts be subject to censorship?

It is often unjustifiable and is used simply to stop truths or ideas emerge which could possibly draw attention to governments or other powerful people. Prior censorship poses special dangers to freedom of expression.

What are the key issues relating to media influence (Uses and Gratification Theory, Desensitisation, Cultural Regulation), and how might they have affected you?

Cultural Regulation is a key issues regulating to media influence, cultural regulation include issues such as minority groups of various kinds may seek to change the ways in which they are represented in the mass media.

Is the public protected or hindered by media regulation?

Protecting the public from media regulation has been a big issue, tackling title misuse is an important part of this work. Also protecting professional titles ensures that the public would not be influenced. On the other hand the public can also be hindered by media regulation due to negative messages being displayed in the mass media, which may cause influences on others, and their attitudes. 

What is the moral responsibility of a media institution?

This is for a media institution to show their product in a positive way; because media is a demanding industry they have to continue to satisfy the needs of their consumers. I think that the media should morally stand for portraying positive images/messages to the public. 

Modes of documentary

5 modes of documentary

View more presentations from shandice.

Louis Theroux Documentary

Louis Theroux visits the WBC for the first time after four years, during this visit he analyses the change of the people he documented the last time he visited. He concentrated on their strong beliefs about God and homosexuality. A particular family that he visited had lost a family member who disagreed with their beliefs and went her own way. Throughout the documentary Theroux tries to discover why these different families believe what they do, and why they feel so strongly. In the documentary, we follow Louis Theroux who tries to discover why the followers strongly believe that what they are doing is right. 8 minutes into the video Louis visits a family who shows him a video of them mocking jews, and making a complete joke out of them. With the same family Louis speaks to the father about how he feels about his daughter leaving the family, Louis apologies about them loosing a family member, during this interview the father questions Louis and asks 'why are you sorry.' Which gives off the impression that he isn't effected about his daughters absence, this is a clear example of how his beliefs takes over his family values. As Louis walks around the house he notices that all the daughters pictures have been taken down. His wife later states how they no longer talk to their parents because they see their parents as rebellious. At 20minutes we see a family singing a cover of one of Lady Gaga's popular songs, doing this may have an influence on others, since the song is well known.