StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Media and Communication - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Foucault has made heuristic contributions to the understanding of the role of media and communication in Western cultures. As Foucault was prolific writer of high statute, it is not easy to provide clear picture of Foucault's understanding of media and communication by extracting his concrete observations out of the context of his targeted analysis…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.1% of users find it useful
Media and Communication
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Media and Communication"

Download file to see previous pages

Such technologies are not created simply along with the general progress of humanity as Marx believed. Rather, dominating and oppressive technologies which enable media and communication are not produced automatically or instantaneously but produces as a result of specific discursive formations which not only fashions knowledge in terms of its own logic but also constitutes the way of thinking itself. It is through the process of 'rationalisation', the term commonly associated with German philosopher Max Weber, Western model of capitalism became dominant over the entire surface of earth.

In terms of governance, art and science, modern capitalism is uniquely based on rationalisation and subsequent mechanisation. The process of rationalisation is merely an embodiment of instrumental reason to which, in the epoch of modernity, human beings are subsumed. Foucault (1970) is of the view that modern social institutions are not only rational structures but also mechanisms for reproducing instrument rationality. Questioning the totality of deterministic meta-narrative histories, Foucault presents an idea of fragmented histories of 'strata'.

The negation of the idea of total or holistic histories by Foucault is extremely visible when he puts forward the (epistemologically different) questions that; "which strata should be isolated from others What types of series should be established What criteria of periodization should be adopted for each of them What system of relations (hierarchy, dominance, stratification, univocal determination, circular causality) may be established between them What series of series may be established And in what large-scale chronological table may distinct series of events be determined" (Foucault, 2002 , p.4). Answering these questions with relations to 'media and communication as a stratum of culture', it would be possible to demarcate the realm of media and communication and analyse it as an independent and autonomous discursive formation in itself.

For Foucault, the state of media and the techniques of communication which is quintessential to western technology-driven and dominated culture are the product of a culturally specific construction and validation of knowledge. There are monopolies of knowledge which legitimise particular domination structures and patterns. The media itself is a monopoly of a particular type of knowledge and communication techniques are the channels of dissemination of monopolised knowledge. Media not only constitutes but also maintains forms of monopolised knowledge which are oppressive in both form and content.

Speaking from a technological standpoint based on Foucault's delineation of discursive formations, media can be seen as vehicles or carriers of mass oppression and mass domination made possible through the realisation of technologies of domination and oppression. On the other hand, the discursive model of media and communication as a "field of discursive events" is nothing but a "grouping that is always finite and limited at any moment to the linguistic sequences that have been formulated; they may be innumerable, they may, in sheer size, exceed the capacities of recording, memory, or reading: nevertheless form a finite grouping" (

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1529434-media-and-communication
(Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1529434-media-and-communication.
“Media and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1529434-media-and-communication.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Media and Communication

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication

Information and communication technology has numerous benefits in its application within various sectors of the economy.... Mobile phones form a very powerful tool for communication as well as internet access.... Thus, internet and cell phones mostly work together in unison....
9 Pages (2250 words) Term Paper

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication

The writer of the essay "Journalism, Mass Media and Communication" suggests that media independence is affected by the participation of scientists in framing.... Journalism, Mass Media and Communication Framing is one tool used by journalists to sell their findings to the public.... Although framing enhances communication, it is apparent it hypes the scientists' research.... It is possible for media to reassert its independence....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Mass Media and Communication

The paper "Mass Media and Communication" would focus on discussion about contemporary media platforms that are used in public relations.... Centre Mass Media and Communication Media platforms play a great role in public relations.... An author claims that the communication of segmented public relations is quite effective and reaches the segmented groups.... The communication of segmented public relations is quite effective and reaches the segmented groups at the appropriate time without delay....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication

This literature review "Journalism, Mass Media and Communication" presents journalism as an activity that can be described as one that defines journalists.... Through journalism, mass media, and communication, the public is able to know how the world they live in operates.... The media is an important tool, one which is used to inform on upcoming events that might directly affect the people.... Over the years, the mass media has faced criticism, praise, and also ridicule because of the way they have handled themselves....
5 Pages (1250 words) Literature review

Mass Media and Communication

The paper "Mass Media and Communication" describes that some political candidates book for the time to present their issues to the public that they might fail to avail themselves in the media houses.... In addition, the government should create; chances where other corporations will get a chance to participate in public Media and Communication.... This indicates that monopoly is high in the United States as per communication and media.... The solution to this monopolistic communication in the United States is a democracy....
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment

Media and Communication Research Methods

This paper “Media and Communication Research Methods” gives a comprehensive analysis of Media and Communication research methods with particular reference to interviewing as one of the methods.... Media and Communication depend a lot on both qualitative and quantitative research.... In Media and Communication, both asynchronous and synchronous modes of communication are used to conduct different techniques of interviews....
6 Pages (1500 words) Literature review

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication

This paper ''Journalism, Mass Media and Communication'' tells that Communication is a method of exchanging information, ideas, and even culture.... While there are several criticisms regarding mass media and how it affects communication negatively, the truth is that this communication has its function in the larger society.... communication plays an important part in society.... In this case, both the originator and the communication receiver have a great role to play....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Journalism, Mass Media and Communication

The study "Journalism, Mass Media and Communication" analyze the media product of streaming movies.... s of 1995, there were various business developments with streaming media and businesses fought over the rights to have the exclusive ownership of the technology of streaming media.... The study analyzes the history of the media product and the provider.... This information is important, especially, in determining the authenticity of the media product....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us