5 Principles of Media by Wolfsfeld

Power and Media

• When the powerful lose control over the political environment, it can lead to a shift in the balance of power and potential changes in the political landscape.
• A key insight about the relationship between political power and media power is that those in power often have an advantage in shaping the narrative and controlling the flow of information.

Access to Media Coverage

• The powerful usually have easier access to media coverage because they have more resources and influence, allowing them to shape the media agenda and present their views to a wider audience.

The Propaganda Model

• Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky developed the Propaganda Model, which suggests that the media serve to manufacture consent and reinforce the dominant ideology.

The Role of Propaganda

• According to Noam Chomsky, the role of propaganda in a democracy is to control and manipulate public opinion, often by presenting a biased or distorted view of reality.

The Media's Role in Democracy

• An essential role of the media in democratic societies is to provide a platform for diverse voices and opinions, allowing citizens to make informed decisions and hold those in power accountable.

Biopower

• Biopower is the term used to describe the systematic ordering and controlling of human populations through unseen forces, often exercised by institutions and structures of power.

The Five Filters

• The media is trapped by five filters: ownership, funding, sourcing, flak, and the ideology of the self and the audience, which can influence the content and bias of the media.

Slacktivism

• Slacktivism involves supporting a cause with minimal effort or commitment, often using social media or online petitions, which can be seen as a superficial form of activism.