THE MARXIST THEORY ON MASS MEDIA

INTRODUCTION«

WHAT IS MARXISM!!!
Socio-political and economical theory by Karl

Marx. Marxism believes in classless society. It opposes capitalism and free market trade. It emphasizes on collective interest rather than individual interest.

Marxist Theory on mass media«

Marx discovered that mass media influences

the society greatly and moulds the mass culture. Mass media is controlled by ruling class Ideas which are not in favor of the majority class are been imposed to them. Private ownership of media does not allow press to function freely.

Marxist theory on mass media«

The state should total control on media. Media should not be effected by any social,

political or economical forces. Media should only be used to educate the masses. Marx wanted the media to work for the benefit of the poor who were the majority. Inefficiency of the state official should be highlighted by the media.

Marxist analysis
It acknowledges the importance of the

µexplicit theory¶.
It highlights social inequalities of the society. It makes mass media a site of struggle of

ideology.
It is sometimes too doctrinaire, with little

scope to human agency and subjectivity

NEO-MARXISM
Neo Marxism is the new approach on Marxist

theory. It started from Frankfurt school in 1932. Their theories were intended to change social phenomenon rather only giving description on it. It focused on impact of media in changing the society.

THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL

It was started by German theorist Mark

Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno,Herbert marcuse and others. Founded in 1923 in Frankfurt but shifted to New York in 1933. They believed in commodification of ideas. The school gave a new name to mass media i.e. µthe culture industry¶ Their theory were considered anti-capitalist in nature.

MARSHAL McLUHAN
Born on 21st July 1911,he is an MA in English and

mass communication from Cambridge university He is one of the most famous media theorist of all time. He is the one who gave the term µmedia is the message¶ He believed that culture changes with a change in technology. His works have greatly contributed in the study of mass media.

STUART HALL
He is a professor of

sociology and a major figure in in the revival of the British political left.

He suggested that

mass media tends to reproduce interpretations which serves the interest of the ruling.

Stuart Hall

LIMITATION IN MARXIST THEORY

It is accused of being too doctrinaire. It also gives a little scope to human agency

and subjectivity. It sometimes ignores various other ways the audience a given media text. Marxist theory is consider a µgrand theory¶ with little practical utility. Marxist approach of class need to be related other division such as gender and ethnicity.

STRENGTH OF MARXIST THEORY

It exposes the myth of value free society. it draws our attention on political and social issues in

the society.
It highlights social inequalities of the society. It makes mass media a site of struggle of ideology. It emphasizes importance of social class in relation to

media ownership and audience interpretation.