Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Media Industries
Media Industries
o David Hesmondhalgh
o James Curran and Jean Seaton
o Sonia Livingstone and Peter Lunt
You will need to able to apply their theories when you analyse examples
Hesmondhalgh – Cultural industries
Many products are consumed when used and have to be bought again, but
media products are bought once and used over and over again – they
never wear out.
This means producers have to make money out of their productions the
first time round, because they don’t often resell the same production.
Large companies make products that are safe – they use star names and
simple narratives which offer a much better guarantee of success.
Die Hard 6
(The internet does not represent a rupture with the past in that it does not offer a level
playing field for diverse voices to be heard. It is constrained by nationalism and state
censorship.)
News is still controlled by powerful organisations, who have successfully defended their
owners.
George Monbiot: ‘After urging land reform I now know the brute power of our billionaire press’
Livingstone and Lunt – Media regulation
Consumers have wants, are individuals, seek private benefits from the media,
use the language of choice, and require regulation to protect against
detriment.
Citizens have needs, are social, seek public or social benefits from the media,
use the language of rights, and require regulation to promote the public
interest.