Representation

Representation

Representation is the way the media is constructed to show aspects of news. E.g. issues, individuals.
Representation takes many forms.
Representations may look realistic, but they are just a construction.

Representation and Reception Theory: Stuart Hall
Dominant Reading - The hegemonic response, people share the code and preferred meaning.
Negotiated Reading - They accept what the text is saying and adapt it according to their social background.
Oppositional Reading - They understand, but reject the message.

Selection - News Values, Target Audience
Omission - Bias, Agenda, Audience
Construction - Bias, Ideology, Audience

Newspapers and reporters are supposed to provide their readers with:
Objective Information - This means it should be free from prejudice caused by personal feelings.
Unbiased - Represent people, events and ideas fairly.
Reliable Information - From trusted sources.

Although the newspaper presents itself as an objective (non biased) form of media, like any other media text it has its own agenda.
Fiske (1987) called this 'The Transparency Fallacy' as the news is not objective or 'transparent'.