Some Principles of Media Literacy - Assignment Example

1. In his “Some Principles of Media Literacy,” David Considine says the old saying, “The camera never lies” isn’t necessarily so. Why?  2. In the media literacy readings, the authors suggest that production techniques like superimposing a reporter onto a green screen of the White House can have what effect?a. Makes the news more exciting.b. Misleads viewers. c. Increases journalistic credibility.d. Enhances viewer comprehension.e. All of the above.3. Why do media literacy proponents argue that citizens need both to understand and be able to analyze/evaluate media messages, but also to create media messages themselves? 4. Explain each of the following principles of media literacy and provide a brief example to illustrate your understanding (1 pt each):a.

Media are constructions: Media is created through editing and focus on the producer’s agenda. For example, Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 asked Senators if they would send their sons’ to war. However, Mr. Moore did not interview Senator McCain who does have sons in the military and has since been deployed overseas.b. Media representations create reality (how and to what effect?): Media representations make real situations worse than they really are. The vilification of minority males, especially in movies like Birth of a Nation creates or promotes racist attitudes.

Rappers singing about killing cops make individuals think that all rappers want or have killed cops. c. Audiences negotiation their own meaning: Audiences judge media literacy differently. A white male might think that all the aid to Haiti is wasted because he does not have a job in the slow economy. However, a Haitian woman living in the United States might think help should have been provided before the earthquake. d. Media constructions have commercial purposes: Media construction can revolve around a product.

An example might be a newscast having a sponsor provides coffee mugs with their logos prominently displayed toward the camera. e. Media messages contain values and ideologies: Values and ideologies are contained in every media message depending on the outlet. Examples would be Fox News promotes a pro-life agenda, whereas other networks are prochoice. These two messages promote the values and ideologies inherent in American society today.f. Media messages have social and political consequences: The social and political consequences of media messages are seen daily.

Social issues like smoking are discouraged in ads from truth.com and political pundits on both sides give their spin on issues daily. Each story or message can influence citizens about social policy or politics.g. Each medium has its own unique aesthetic form/impact: Pictures and other media messages are presented in different mediums. Black and white, color, sepia, still picture, video, and so forth all have unique mediums. A video on a plasma television of a real battle scene would more graphic than the same scene on an old black and white set.

However, when portraying WWI or WWII, it seems more realistic to view black and white footage. This is how the audience learned this material so black and white are more creditable. The same goes for Vietnam and the Gulf Wars except theses wars are more credible in color.