Media Theory

Media Theory

Media theories are divided into Media Language, Representation, Media Industries and Audience. Media Language theories, such as Semiotics by Barthes and Genre Theory by Steve Neale, explore how media communicates meaning and evolves genres. Representation theories, including those by Stuart Hall and Laura Mulvey, analyse how media portrays social groups, focusing on issues like stereotypes and gender objectification. In Media Industries, David Hesmondhalgh’s Cultural Industries theory examines how conglomerates like Disney control cultural production. Audience theories, like Bandura’s Media Effects and Shirky’s End of Audience, explore how media impacts and engages viewers, highlighting the shift to active participation in the digital age.