Week 8

Reading Diary: Week 8

Researching Media Industries

The last week reading of the Journalism, PR and the Media module challenged my personal belief system and understanding. I really found it quite difficult but I hope I could get the main idea of it.

There are considerable debates about the relationship between practice and theory but what is essential and of a great value is their interaction. The cultural industries are undertaking changes and are strongly influenced by the technology. Whereas there are some theories that argue that at some point: “The points to keep in mind, however, are: first, technology doesn’t change media texts, but it does open up opportunities for new textual practices that certain entrepreneurs pursue; second, these practices are also shaped by – but not determined by – economic and regulatory conditions as well as technological ones” (Havens, T. 2012. p.58) Also, for understanding cultural industries is very important to understand the dynamic of consumption instead of production.

When thinking about media industry we have to bear in mind that access ‘insiders’ couldn’t be possible if there was no evidence. There are two main resources of evidence – documentary and people. The former can be used as a source-oriented or problem-oriented investigation while those which use people consist of interviews, participant observations and oral history. Combining and focusing on more than 1 method can give you more perspective and immersion.

Karl Marx and his ideological approaches contributed to the idea that media organizations play an essential role in conducting a research. Together with Engels “they affirmed that ‘The ideas of the ruling material force of a society, is at the same time its ruling intellectual force’” (Marx and Engels, 1974: 64; Strokes, 2003, p.104)

Although the difficulties I faced while reading the both materials, I could understand how important the industry research is. The theorists examine the influence of media industry organization and practices on society. If taken for further research I would like to make a focus group of both men and women aged 26-35 and ask some questions which are interesting for me such as: How do we make sense of media industry changes?

Referencing:

Strokes, J. (2003) How to do media & cultural studies London, Sage Publications

Havens, Timothy, Lotz, Amanda, (2012) Understanding Media Industries, Oxford University Press