What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Representation refers to how people, places, events, or ideas are portrayed in media texts, which is always a constructed and selective view

Media producers make choices about what to include, exclude, foreground, or background — these choices shape meaning

Stereotypes are simplified, generalised representations of groups that can reinforce bias; counter-representations challenge these

Critical media literacy involves questioning who made a text, for what purpose, whose interests it serves, and whose perspectives are absent

Key Vocabulary

Representation

The way a person, group, place, or event is portrayed in a media text through language and image choices

Stereotype

An oversimplified, generalised image or idea about a particular group of people

Ideology

The set of beliefs, values, and ideas embedded in a text, often reflecting the values of its producers

Agenda

The particular perspective or set of values a media producer promotes through their text

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A news article about a protest uses the word "mob" to describe the protesters. What effect does this word choice create?

It presents the protesters neutrally It portrays the protesters as organised and peaceful It represents the protesters as dangerous and disorderly It avoids representing the protesters at all

Question 2

A magazine consistently features only young, slim models in its fashion spreads. This is an example of:

Counter-representation Objective reporting Ideological neutrality Stereotyping

Question 3

Which question is most important for critical media literacy?

Whose perspectives are represented, and whose are absent? How long is the article? Is the article well-written? Does the article have a catchy headline?

Media & Representation