YEAR 13 LESSON THIRTEEN [5th JAN 11]: Homework.

Students were asked to consider the coursework title: An exploration of the media issues and debates linked to You Tube. The task was to provide ideas for content and also produce an idea for the linked production. Student contribution during this task was superb.

Students were then asked to consider the use of e-media when marketing a film and asked to consider whether audience or producer benefits from this use of digital media.

Homework: The homework task is an individual research project and relates to the regulation of the media. Each student has been given an area of media regulation that they will be required to research. The very fact that media regulation exists suggests that the media is capable of influence and relates directly to Audience/Effects Theory. Each student is required to provide an A4 sheet of bullet point information that explains:
A. The purpose of the organisation/law that you are researching.
B.How the organisation/law regulates media and why this regulation is considered necessary.
C.The kind of regulatory powers the organisation/law possesses. This needs supporting with specific examples of media texts that have been regulated by this institution.For example, in December 2008 the Advertising Standards Authority banned a DFS advert. Why? In January 2010 Clearcast banned an advertisement created by the anti-bullying charity Beatbullying.Why? In 2006 Ofcom banned all advertising of 'junk' food around all programmes that appeal to the Under 16 age group. Why? Who is being protected by these institutions/laws and why? Students need to illustrate their response with specific examples of regulation.
D.Arguments for and against the existence of these institutions. For example many media commentators believe The Press Complaints Commission to be a 'toothless' organisation. Why? Why do we need media regulation? Who benefits from media regulation: Audience or Producer?

The institutions/areas of regulation for student research are:
THE HAYS CODE.
THE 2010 DIGITAL ECONOMY ACT.
OFCOM.
THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY.
CLEARCAST.
THE PRESS COMPLAINTS COMMISSION.

An understanding of who regulates the media and the reasons why certain institutions 'police' the media is an essential component of Media Studies. This is an important homework task and needs to be engaged in a manner appropriate for A2 study. The A4 sheet that you produce will be a revision resource for your fellow classmates.