The Media Studies Framework

Regardless of the media text you are studying, you need to consider four inter-related areas which make up the Media Studies Framework.

• Media Language
• Representation
• Media Industries
• Media Audiences

This framework will provide you with the tools necessary to critically evaluate the adverts (print, online and audio-visual), the music videos, the newspapers and online news platforms, the television shows, the magazines, the websites and the video games that you will study.

MEDIA LANGUAGE

Media language refers to the ways in which the media text communicates meaning to the audience through the codes and conventions, and techniques, associated with the particular media form. In an audio-visual text, such as a TV show or music video, this might be the choice of camera movement or style of editing whereas in a print text, such as a film poster or a newspaper cover, this may be related to the distance of shot, the fonts used or other aspects of the design and layout.

REPRESENTATION

Representation asks you to consider how the media portrays or presents individuals, social groups and issues. You will need to consider whether these portrayals are stereotypical or atypical, alongside considering why the representation has taken the form it has. Representation is closely linked to media language through, for example, decisions regarding camera shots, music and costume.