Media reports

    AQA
    GCSE

    The sociological examination of media reports focuses on the 'social construction of news'. Candidates must reject the notion of news as a neutral 'window on the world', instead analyzing how 'news values' (Galtung and Ruge), ownership structures, and journalistic practices determine content selection and presentation. The study necessitates a critical evaluation of the relationship between media representations and audience perception, specifically regarding 'moral panics' (Cohen) and 'deviancy amplification'. Analysis must be grounded in competing theoretical frameworks—Marxist, Neo-Marxist, and Pluralist—to explain the ideological functions of media reports in contemporary society.

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    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological terminology: 'moral panic', 'folk devils', 'deviancy amplification', and 'agenda setting'.
    • Credit responses that contrast media reports with Official Statistics (police recorded crime) to highlight reporting bias.
    • Candidates must apply Interactionist perspectives, specifically linking media labelling to self-fulfilling prophecies.
    • Higher bands require evaluation of news values (Galtung and Ruge) and the impact of media ownership on content selection.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit use of sociological terminology: 'moral panic', 'folk devils', 'deviancy amplification', and 'agenda setting'.
    • Credit responses that contrast media reports with Official Statistics (police recorded crime) to highlight reporting bias.
    • Candidates must apply Interactionist perspectives, specifically linking media labelling to self-fulfilling prophecies.
    • Higher bands require evaluation of news values (Galtung and Ruge) and the impact of media ownership on content selection.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 12-mark questions, explicitly link the 'Item' to a theory; use the phrase 'As mentioned in Item A...' followed by the relevant concept.
    • 💡Differentiate between 'newsworthiness' criteria (immediacy, dramatisation) and the sociological consequences (fear of crime).
    • 💡Allocate 15 minutes for the 12-mark 'Discuss how far' questions to ensure developed evaluation.
    • 💡When discussing bias, specify the type: political bias, ownership influence, or sensationalism for profit.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Providing 'common sense' commentary on news stories rather than applying sociological theory.
    • Failing to explicitly reference the provided 'Item' (source text) in 12-mark responses.
    • Confusing 'media reports' with 'social media' generally, without linking to specific concepts like gatekeeping or news values.
    • Describing the events of a moral panic (e.g., the Clacton disturbances) without explaining the sociological mechanism of amplification.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

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