[...] However, these arguments depict opposing positions towards the equation that
Marx sketches “Having money means controlling the public and constructing a
dominant ideology.” This is not always the case in the media. Currently, many media
corporations whether independent or financially dependent do create a dominant
ideology, but this does not necessarily mean that the dominant ideology has to be
created only by those who have the fiscal means. To explore the extent to which this
statement is valid, this essay will first shed light on how the two globally known news
corporations (the BBC and Fox news channel) function. Then, a comparison and contrast will be drawn to see if each one of them plays a role in constructing a
dominant ideology in the recent Iranian Election.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How does the BBC work?
- How does Fox News work?
- The BBC and Fox News portrayal of the Iranian Election
- The News Headline
- Hossein Mousavi
- Ahmedinejad (the current government)
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the relationship between media ownership, dominant ideologies, and news reporting. It investigates whether the Marxist assertion that control of material resources equates to control of ideology holds true in the context of modern media. The analysis focuses on a comparison of the BBC and Fox News, exploring their operational structures and their coverage of the 2009 Iranian election.
- The influence of media ownership on news presentation
- The validity of the Marxist theory of dominant ideology in contemporary media
- A comparative analysis of the BBC and Fox News operational models
- The contrasting portrayals of the 2009 Iranian election by the BBC and Fox News
- The role of media in shaping public perception of political events
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by exploring the debate surrounding the Marxist concept of dominant ideology and its application to the media. It critiques various perspectives, including those that challenge the notion of direct control by the ruling class and those that emphasize the role of consumers in shaping media content. The chapter introduces the central research question: to what extent does media ownership determine the creation of a dominant ideology? The study will focus on comparing the BBC and Fox News, analyzing their coverage of the 2009 Iranian election to investigate this question.
How does the BBC work?: This chapter describes the structure and funding mechanisms of the BBC, emphasizing its public broadcasting mandate and its declared editorial independence from governmental or private influence. The BBC's funding through television license fees is highlighted, contrasting it with privately owned news organizations. The chapter argues that the BBC's operational model aligns more with pluralism than Marxism, suggesting a less direct relationship between ownership and ideological control.
How does Fox News work?: This chapter details the structure and funding of Fox News, owned by Rupert Murdoch. It contrasts Fox News's operational model with the BBC’s, focusing on the significant financial influence of Murdoch and the resulting questions about potential bias. The chapter discusses accusations of conservative bias and the potential influence of Murdoch's personal views on the network's coverage, suggesting that Fox News's model may more closely align with Marxist concepts of dominant ideology.
The BBC and Fox News portrayal of the Iranian Election: This chapter compares and contrasts the BBC and Fox News coverage of the 2009 Iranian election. The analysis focuses on the headlines and the portrayal of key figures like Hossein Mousavi, highlighting differences in framing and language use that suggest divergent ideological perspectives. The comparison aims to test the central research question of the essay by analyzing whether ownership structures correlate with ideological slant in news reporting.
Keywords
Marxism, dominant ideology, media ownership, BBC, Fox News, Iranian election, news bias, pluralism, public broadcasting, private media, Rupert Murdoch, Hossein Mousavi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, media representation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of BBC and Fox News Coverage of the 2009 Iranian Election
What is the main focus of this essay?
This essay examines the relationship between media ownership, dominant ideologies, and news reporting. It investigates whether Marxist theory—that control of material resources equates to control of ideology—holds true in modern media, using a comparison of BBC and Fox News coverage of the 2009 Iranian election.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the influence of media ownership on news presentation; the validity of Marxist theory of dominant ideology in contemporary media; a comparative analysis of BBC and Fox News operational models; contrasting portrayals of the 2009 Iranian election by both news sources; and the role of media in shaping public perception of political events.
How does the essay analyze the BBC and Fox News?
The essay analyzes the operational structures of the BBC and Fox News, contrasting their funding mechanisms (public licensing fees vs. private ownership) and editorial independence. It then compares their coverage of the 2009 Iranian election, focusing on headlines, the portrayal of key figures (Hossein Mousavi and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad), and differences in framing and language.
What is the central research question?
The central research question is: To what extent does media ownership determine the creation of a dominant ideology?
What specific aspects of the 2009 Iranian election coverage are compared?
The comparison focuses on the headlines used by each news organization and their respective portrayals of key figures such as Hossein Mousavi and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The analysis aims to identify differences in framing and language that might suggest divergent ideological perspectives.
What are the chapter summaries?
The essay includes chapters on the introduction (setting the stage and outlining the research question), the operational structures of the BBC and Fox News, and a detailed comparison of their coverage of the 2009 Iranian election. Each chapter summary provides a concise overview of its content and contribution to the overall analysis.
What are the key takeaways or conclusions suggested by the essay?
The essay aims to determine whether the media ownership structures of the BBC and Fox News correlate with differing ideological slants in their news reporting on the 2009 Iranian election. The comparison serves to test the validity of Marxist theory in the context of modern media.
What keywords are associated with this essay?
Keywords include: Marxism, dominant ideology, media ownership, BBC, Fox News, Iranian election, news bias, pluralism, public broadcasting, private media, Rupert Murdoch, Hossein Mousavi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, media representation.
- Quote paper
- Arafat Al Jameel (Author), 2009, Is Marxism the Base for Spreading a Dominant Ideology in the Media?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/145195
