This task is designed to develop and share your understanding of the relationship between media and visibility. It requires you to research media visibilities — from a media and communications perspective — specifically in relation to mass media social representations of people in regions across the world that are neglected by international media (such as Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, or the traditional territories of First Nations’ peoples). ‘Social representations’ are defined as ‘visibility crystals’ or ‘bundles of consistently packed information’ that are circulated, shared, and diffused via mass media for as long as they manage to garner attention (Brighenti, 2010, p. 86).
Ukraine has been added to the list of ‘neglected regions and peoples’ for this assignment on media visibility. The surge of international media coverage of Ukraine –across all six of our nominated international media outlets — shows us how little we know about the country, and the issues leading to the current military conflict.
From the lists provided, you are able to select which brand of international media, and which type of mass media social representations you would like to investigate in your report.
For international media, this can be Al Jazeera English (Qatar-based), or BBC World (UK-based), or CGTN (China-based), or CNN (USA-based), or Global Voices (Netherlands-based) or Sputnik (Russia-based).
For mass media social representations, this can be international news, or celebrity, or advertising, or crisis communication.
Topic – Address all three elements
When do international media turn their attention to media-neglected regions across the world, and what mass media social representations of people in these regions do they circulate?
Do these mass media social representations amplify and enhance the visibility of these peoples and their stories, or reinforce stereotyping and invisibility of ‘distant others’?
Drawing on media content from your selected brand of international media, provide three examples of media visibility/invisibility based on your analysis.
Key questions – Address all key questions
What is the global vision, audience reach, editorial agenda, and staff numbers of your chosen international media outlet, especially in relation to global media visibility?
Who are the outlet’s main audience demographic and where in the world are they?
What evidence is there of engagement with media-neglected regions across the world?
What is the content and form of social representations of the peoples in these regions?
To what extent is media visibility of these peoples a priority for the outlet? Why does it matter to them?
Assignment Presentation Requirements
Your report should be 1200 words (+/- 10%) in length.
Include a literature review of around 3 academic references discussing visibility-related concepts, and an analysis supported by 3 print/visual examples of media visibility/invisibility.
Use effective and consistent APA-7 referencing style. Writing should be concise and error-free.
Report presentation should be professional in tone, style, formatting, and design.