University Media Studies: Audience and Representation Analysis

This essay provides an introduction to media studies, focusing on the concepts of media audiences and representation. It begins by exploring the evolution of the audience concept, tracing its development from public spectacles to the context of mass media. The essay then examines the themes of cultural accessibility and screening stereotypes, particularly in relation to disability representation on television. It highlights how stereotypes are perpetuated and the impact of media portrayals on societal perceptions. Finally, the essay delves into the representation of gender in media, drawing on feminist inquiries and academic research to analyze how men and women, masculinity and femininity, are depicted across various media platforms. The essay utilizes multiple sources to provide a comprehensive overview of these key aspects of media studies.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES
INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES
Media Audience
According to author McQuail, audience’s concept was adapted widely from earlier
origins within public spectacles as well as performance for applying new circumstances for
reception of mass media in early of the 20th century along with especially to public for
broadcasting along with film. This even could be applied much more generally for including
print media (McQuail, 2016). There is pattern to change audience’s nature that is linked with
technology and media systems’ development. Novel use of this term was component within mass
communication’s large paradigm which rested in specific preconceptions of the mass character.
Such preconceptions are challenged by the subsequent theory and research. Whole paradigm of
mass communication might be rendered by communication’s ongoing transformation.
Cultural Accessibility or Screening Stereotypes
In view of Ellis, diversity is major concern for contemporary discussions of media
representation by several popular tests which are developed for critiquing lack of practices of
diversity in both television as well as film. This is composed is several moving images that are
joint along with sound (Ellis, n.d.). Television is domestic medium rather, with the traditional
place is in lounge room. There is proliferation of huge screen televisions, theatre room and
projectors in contemporary houses. People having disability are depicted often in the
stereotypical processes on television for reinforcing medical model. Stereotypes are reproduced
constantly and arise from the misinformation of disabled community.
Who is represented?
As per Wlezien and Enns, representation of the men as well as women, of the masculinity
as well as femininity in media is as essential topic for feminist inquires as well as academic

2INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES
research in media for nearly five decades. After realizing attached meanings of gender are the
social constructs, the feminist academics analyzed gender’s representation in mass media, for
media was considered as one of sources where gender’s meaning were constructed (Krijnen &
Van Bauwel, 2015). Popular culture turned recently into investigation topic when scholars of
cultural studies direction attention towards lowbrow culture. Men and women are presented in
several categories for news stories.

3INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA STUDIES
References
Ellis, K., n.d. Disability And Digital Television Cultures.
Krijnen, T., & Van Bauwel, S. (2015). Who Is Represented (pp.19-37). In Gender and media:
representing, producing, consuming (pp. 19–37). Taylor and Francis.
McQuail, D. (2013). The Media Audience: A Brief Biography—Stages of Growth or Paradigm
Change?. The Communication Review, 16(1-2), 9-20.