This unit explores 'the media' as one important locus of power. We are guided by Freedman's (2014) "The Contradictions of Media Power," which as the title suggests, turns our attention to the varied and complex ways in which media forms, texts, and institutions are implicated in power relations. This text is an important contribution to the rich literature on media power that both offers a new paradigm ('contradiction') through which we can better understand the influence of the media in power relations and provides a thorough survey of the dominant paradigms of media power ('consensus,' 'control,' and 'chaos'). Freedman's survey (and indeed most of the research on media power) focuses upon media systems in societies with 'pluralist' political arrangements and advanced capitalistic systems--not simply because these are the societies in which said researchers live--but also because the question and complexity of media power in such societies is undoubtedly important and almost always deeply problematic.
As you read and reflect during this unit, consider the following general questions:
Media 1.0 focuses upon the theories, arguments, concerns and problems associated with political economic and pluralist approaches to media power. Conversations in this domain circulate around the prominence and problems of 'neoliberalism' as it has both transformed and been transformed by media systems, practices and organizations. The media in this sense has an ideological and structural role in the 'naturalization' of neoliberalism. Freedman builds upon David Harvey's (2005) "A Brief History of Neoliberalism," which characterizes neoliberalism as a project/process that includes practices such as "deregulation of labour markets, liberalization of industries, outsourcing of services, championing of individual freedoms, lowering of taxes, cutbacks in public expenditure and an assault on the legitimacy of the state itself" (Freedman, p. 39). The following talk by Jamie Peck offers a nice survey of the concept. Peck's lecture was the closing talk at the York 'Neoliberalism, Crisis and the World System' Conference. Each of these talks can be found here if you are interested in learning more about the topic (I recommend Couldry's and Davies particularly).
Media scholars have explored the various ways in which the media has been implicated in the processes of neo-liberalization. In addition to "being complicit in producing neoliberal subjects" and naturalizing and reproducing neoliberal social relations, "the media has also been increasingly subject to neoliberal pressures" including privatization, marketization, consolidation, and commercialization (p. 40). Although neoliberal practices play out very differently in different national and cultural contexts, and there is evidence of critiques and resistance to neoliberal ideas in the media, no pluralistic capitalist society is immune to these forces. Quite simply, the logic of neoliberalism is pervasive in media organizations and content. The following two examples illustrate both the phenomenon of and problems associated with the growth of a highly networked 'media elite' (a result of the marketization and privatization of communication into a market 'sector').
The first excerpt is an interview with Linguist and Media Scholar, Noam Chomsky, on the "The Big Idea" which focuses on his 'propaganda model.'
This next program, Revolving Doors: Media and Politics, is a part of Al Jazeera's The Listening Post, a program dedicated to media about the media. This segment looks at the problematic relationship between Washington's political and media elites.
Want to learn more?
This video and site explain Bhutan's Gross National Happiness index, an index that emphasizes other aspects and measures of wellbeing than simply economic wellbeing.
Kascak's (2011) "Governmentality-Neoliberalism-Education: The Risk Perspective," is an interesting take on the extension of neoliberalism in higher education.
As you read and reflect during this unit, consider the following general questions:
- What do you commonly think of when you think of 'the media'?
- Are there media forms, texts and/or institutions that are more power-laden?
- Which of the paradigms proposed by Freedman most aligns with your views on the power of the media?
- How has the power of 'the media' changed during your lifetime?
- What would you say are the pressing issues of the day as regards media power?
Media 1.0 focuses upon the theories, arguments, concerns and problems associated with political economic and pluralist approaches to media power. Conversations in this domain circulate around the prominence and problems of 'neoliberalism' as it has both transformed and been transformed by media systems, practices and organizations. The media in this sense has an ideological and structural role in the 'naturalization' of neoliberalism. Freedman builds upon David Harvey's (2005) "A Brief History of Neoliberalism," which characterizes neoliberalism as a project/process that includes practices such as "deregulation of labour markets, liberalization of industries, outsourcing of services, championing of individual freedoms, lowering of taxes, cutbacks in public expenditure and an assault on the legitimacy of the state itself" (Freedman, p. 39). The following talk by Jamie Peck offers a nice survey of the concept. Peck's lecture was the closing talk at the York 'Neoliberalism, Crisis and the World System' Conference. Each of these talks can be found here if you are interested in learning more about the topic (I recommend Couldry's and Davies particularly).
Media scholars have explored the various ways in which the media has been implicated in the processes of neo-liberalization. In addition to "being complicit in producing neoliberal subjects" and naturalizing and reproducing neoliberal social relations, "the media has also been increasingly subject to neoliberal pressures" including privatization, marketization, consolidation, and commercialization (p. 40). Although neoliberal practices play out very differently in different national and cultural contexts, and there is evidence of critiques and resistance to neoliberal ideas in the media, no pluralistic capitalist society is immune to these forces. Quite simply, the logic of neoliberalism is pervasive in media organizations and content. The following two examples illustrate both the phenomenon of and problems associated with the growth of a highly networked 'media elite' (a result of the marketization and privatization of communication into a market 'sector').
The first excerpt is an interview with Linguist and Media Scholar, Noam Chomsky, on the "The Big Idea" which focuses on his 'propaganda model.'
Want to learn more?
This video and site explain Bhutan's Gross National Happiness index, an index that emphasizes other aspects and measures of wellbeing than simply economic wellbeing.
Kascak's (2011) "Governmentality-Neoliberalism-Education: The Risk Perspective," is an interesting take on the extension of neoliberalism in higher education.