Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person

 Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person

Hi there, readers Dr. Dilip Barad, sir, assigned this blog assignment. In this blog, you can learn about cultural studies context and important issues of discussion. This blog also encourages you to develop your own understanding and perception of this important subject while improving your creative writing and critical thinking skills.

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What is Cultural Studies? :-

The multidisciplinary discipline of "cultural studies" looks at how identities, power relationships, and society structures are influenced and reflected by culture in all of its manifestations. It began in the mid-20th century and draws on theories from sociology, anthropology, literary studies, and media studies. Popular culture, racism, gender, class, and globalisation are just a few of the subjects covered by cultural studies in order to comprehend how meaning is produced and how it influences people's daily lives.

This discipline examines how language, literature, the media, and social behaviours are used to support or undermine prevailing ideas as it critically analyses how power functions within cultural practices and institutions. By doing so, Cultural Studies provides insights into how culture interacts with politics, economics, and social conventions, helping to identify underlying systems of inequality and influence in society.

As we can see that cultural studies as a reaction against the two prevalent attitude that time first is liberal humanism, and second is orthodox Marxism. The discussion of 'Cultural and Civilization' in literary studies from Matthew Arnold and also prominent work 'Cultural and Anarchy', and then we can see that moved to studies of literature to studies of culture. Richard Hoggat and Raymond Williams took up the discussion of  culture. Both are known as the pioneers of the cultural studies in Britain and in 1950s. It was the university of Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies. Re-evaluation of the class/elite character of culture as appeared in the traditional literary studies. The people of Matthew Arnold's give value to 'Art for Life Sake' and also give importance to high, elite culture.

1. Media and Power: 

How does the blog articulate the relationship between media and power in contemporary society? Provide examples from the blog and your own observations.

A.

 

The study of Cultural Studies in incomplete without the study of 'Power'. Additionally, the Power uses the Media extensively, just as it does in these times when it's a tool to manipulate perceptions and subjects. every kind of media. print, digital, electronic, TV, radio, and social media. The Cultural Studies course on media critique provides an opportunity to challenge our understanding of how power uses media. We'll look at what power is here and how it uses the media. We may be able to read power and understand media better and become truly informed people as a result of seeing these films.

Media sources frequently influence public opinion by deciding whether topics are significant enough to warrant news coverage. Political pressure, advertising money, and ownership are a few examples of the elements that may have an impact on this. Governments regularly employ media to monitor public opinion and change behavior. This might include everything from online activity tracking programs to propaganda. and occasionally repressed the common people and civilians in the power dynamic.

The emergence of citizen journalism has given anyone the ability to report on news events and offer their opinions. This may put conventional media narratives to the test and encourage more responsibility and openness. Social media in particular has given marginalised voices and grassroots movements the ability to challenge established power systems. Social internet gave movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter traction, enabling people to unite in opposition to structural injustices and raise awareness throughout the world. These movements demonstrate how the media can democratise communication and act as a check on established power. Through the selective presentation of information that advances the agendas of those in positions of power, the media can be used to sway public opinion.

People like Elon Musk show how the media has the ability to shape not just ideas but entire businesses. They utilise social media to make remarks, affect markets (like cryptocurrency) or to push particular ideologies. In all of its manifestations, the media is a potent instrument that simultaneously upholds and subverts hierarchies of power.

Examples :-

Media outlets were used to both inform and misinform the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Misinformation thrived on social media while scientific updates emerged from conventional media sources. There were several widely held conspiracy theories concerning the virus's origins, the efficacy of vaccinations, and the safety of medications like hydroxychloroquine. Political agendas were frequently in line with this false information. 

For example, the We Are All Khaled Said Facebook page in Egypt developed into a focal point for organising demonstrations against the government of President Hosni Mubarak. Here, the media's use upended established hierarchies of power and gave common people the ability to defend democracy.

2. Role of Education:

The blog discusses the qualities of a "truly educated person." How does this concept challenge or align with traditional notions of education? What qualities do you think define a truly educated person today, especially in relation to media literacy?:

A.

It states that the goal of Cultural Studies is to eliminate barriers between high (elite) and low (popular) culture, as well as to blur traditional borders across fields like literature, sociology, media studies, and anthropology. In doing so, it makes an effort to investigate a broad variety of cultural phenomena, including mainstream music, everyday activities, classical art, and media portrayals. Teachers and students who find it difficult to draw meaningful links between cultural artefacts and the greater social and ideological "discourse" may find this extensive scope to be daunting. The word "discourse" describes the connections between cultural artifacts such as films, novels, or social customs and authority, ideology, and accepted social mores.

According to Noam Chomsky, the significance of self-education and personal development in the quest for genuine human fulfilment. It emphasises that self-reflection and resource utilisation are necessary for any kind of discovery, be it cultural, intellectual, or creative. To do this, one needs to develop the ability to ask insightful questions, investigate novel concepts, and craft queries that are a reflection of their own curiosity and wisdom. It is critical to cultivate a mindset that promotes independent thought, the capacity to question accepted wisdom, and the desire to absorb information from other viewpoints. Along with knowing what to learn, the process also entails knowing where to look, how to critically examine, and how to question presumptions. A truly educated individual is one who has developed the habit of challenging the conclusions of one discipline with those of another, has unlearned the lessons that particular fields have to offer, and above all learns how to engage in conflicts. The self-directed learning as a means of achieving personal growth and enables people to take charge of their education and intellectual advancement.

Qualities of truly educated person today especially in relation to media literacy :-

It's develop the critical thinking on certain ways. An informed individual is able to assess the reliability and objectivity of different media outlets. They are able to discriminate between opinions, facts, and false information, as well as how it is presented and managed. The digital era is changing quickly, and consuming media demands that one be able to keep up with the latest developments in platforms, technology, and communication methods. A person with knowledge can adjust to these changes since they are aware of how various media outlets influence the information they are exposed to.

Understanding other points of view is another aspect of being media savvy. A person who is properly educated is receptive to new ideas and sympathetic to the perspectives and experiences of others. A truly educated person also analysed the question and resources and also develop their leadership potential, skills, and communication skills.

3. Cultural Practices:

Media often shapes cultural norms and practices. Discuss how media representation influences cultural identities, specifically marginalized groups, as per the blog’s argument. Can media also act as a tool for resistance against dominant power structures?:

A.

Identity as shaped by the roles individuals play in society. The society plays a vital role in it. As we can see Identity is not fixed but constructed through experiences, and representation is a significant part of experience. One's identity is determined by their position within societal relationships and discourses. Cultural Studies is concerned with understanding who holds power? in society and who sets the boundaries? for individual freedoms. These empowered agents such as governments, corporations, or societal tradition determine the limits of what individuals can do and influence how much freedom they truly have.

Mostly we can observe the elite or political aspects try to make  rules or control over the human rights, human thoughts, human interest and many more other things. We feel that we are the free agents but in reality we are free? That is the major question to ask. This mass media, political aspects, government, corporations and many other aspects trying to shape our identity as per their convenience. According to Noam Chomsky, there are two groups, first like political class who have power to make decisions and spread the propaganda. In that hardly 20% people are educated. Then maybe 80% whose their follow orders and not to think, you know, and not to pay attention, anything. In which propaganda is the central aspects. The media mostly spread a propaganda and sometimes misinformation. By this people who follow the media and don't try to check the truth and then things will become messy.

Media set the central agendas to get more attention towards the expression and interpretation of the news and information or any kind of things. It also set the identity to change the humans opinions, thoughts, thinking process according to their perspectives. Media also give to much attention to national and international affairs. Here, we can also see that elite media also setting media that means The Newyork Times and many more, they set the general framework local media or less adapt to their structure.

Realistic representations of individuals similar to themselves in the media can give marginalised communities a sense of empowerment and pride. For instance, the popularity of Black Panther challenged many of the unfavourable preconceptions that have traditionally been attached to Black characters in Hollywood and provided a celebration of Black culture and identity. Media determined the news, select the news, control, restrict, and they shap the news and serve the interests of the dominant elite groups. And also they manipulate the opinions, thoughts and predictions.

4. Critical Media Consumption:

Reflect on your media consumption habits. How does media influence your worldview and daily choices? How can a critical approach to media consumption contribute to becoming a truly educated person?

A.

When I think back on my media consumption patterns, I see how much the media shapes my worldview and daily decision-making processes. My views on current affairs, my morals, and even the things I decide to purchase are frequently influenced by the information I interact with, which ranges from the news I read to the social media I peruse. For instance, I've seen that the way some media outlets present issues can have a subtle effect on how I feel about social and political concerns.

Being really educated is facilitated by adopting a critical mindset. It develops independent thought, aids in the identification of hidden intentions, and promotes the practice of looking for the reality behind the hype. Learning to mindfully navigate the media in a world where information is constantly bombarding us is essential to developing empathy, staying open-minded, and making educated judgements. In the end, adopting a critical mindset towards media consumption helps me become a more self-aware and involved citizen of the world.

My understanding of reality is shaped by the constant barrage of information, whether it comes from social media, news articles, podcasts, or entertainment stuff. I've come to see that my interpretation of events and issues, including politics, social justice, and climate change, can be greatly influenced by the headlines I come across, the posts I interact with, and the conversations I follow. Social media algorithms, for instance, frequently display content that corresponds with my historical interests and actions, which might lead to an echo chamber. It's simple to limit my exposure to perspectives that support my own, which makes it more difficult to recognise or take into account different points of view.

Reference :-

Barad, Dilip. “Cultural Studies: Media, Power and Truly Educated Person.” Cultural Studies: Media, Power and Truly Educated Person, Blogger, 1 Jan. 1970, blog.dilipbarad.com/2017/03/cultural-studies-media-power-and-truly.html. Accessed 01 Oct. 2024.