Students should have knowledge and understanding of how the media industries’ processes of production, distribution and circulation affect media forms and platforms.
Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how media products reflect the social, cultural, historical and political contexts in which they are produced. Not every question in every exam series will require the analysis of the four contexts but students will need to be familiar with all of them in relation to a range of media products.
In the following table, the column headed Content includes the mandatory material which all students should study. The column headed Guidance Notes includes pointers and suggestions to help schools and colleges interpret and deliver the content where these are appropriate. These Guidance Notes will be supplemented by further support materials (the CSP booklet).
3.6.1 The nature of media production
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The nature of media production, including by large organisations, who own the products they produce, and by individuals and groups. | Patterns of ownership:- mergers
- demergers
- takeovers
- concentration.
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3.6.2 Production processes
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The impact of production processes, personnel and technologies on the final product. Similarities and differences between media products in terms of when and where they are produced. Working practices in media industries. | |
3.6.3 Ownership
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The effect of ownership and control of media organisations:- conglomerate ownership
- diversification
- vertical integration
- horizontal integration.
| |
3.6.4 Convergence
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The impact of the increasingly convergent nature of media industries across different platforms and different national settings. | Cross media ownership. Convergence of content providers, network providers and platform providers. |
3.6.5 Funding models
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The importance of different funding models. Government funded, not-for-profit and commercial models. | Role of:- television licence
- advertising, sponsorship, product placement, direct sales
- independent and voluntary sector.
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3.6.6 Commercial industries
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
How the media operate as commercial industries on a global scale and reach both large and specialised audiences. | Globalisation. Cultural imperialism. International agreements (and disagreements) on regulation and freedom to trade media products. |
3.6.7 Regulation
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The functions and types of regulation of the media. | Self regulation and government regulation. Disputes about freedom, censorship and control. Nature of regulatory bodies in UK: - the Office of Communications (OFCOM)
- the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
- the Video Standards Council (VSC)
- the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
- the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
- Pan European Game Information (PEGI).
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3.6.8 Digital technologies
Content | Guidance notes |
|---|
The challenges for media regulation presented by 'new' digital technologies. | Debates about:- online, social networking abuse and bullying
- online anonymity
- rights and responsibilities of ISPs and social networks
- public interest versus rights of the individual.
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