Tag: D. L. Altheide

Read the following passage and answer question. Media organizations apply a form of cultural standardization during the processing of media raw material. It is suggested that media are constrained by their definitions and associated expectations as to what they are good for in general and what sort of content they can best offer and in what form. Within the media, the main types of content news, sports, drama, entertainment, advertising-also follow standardized formats which are rooted in traditions, ways of work, ideas about audience taste and interest, pressures of time or space. D. L. Altheide and R.P. Snow were the first to use the term magic logic to capture and systematic nature of pre-existing definitions of what a given type of content should be like. The concept has been especially useful for identifying the predilection of media producers for factors which they believe will increase audience attention and satisfaction. In relation to informational content, media logic places a premium on immediacy, such as dramatic illustrative film or photos, on fast tempo and short ‘sound bytes’ and on personally attractive presenters and relaxed formats. Media logic also operates on the level of content-for instance, in political campaigns it leads to a preference for personalization, for controversiality and for attention to the ‘horse race’ rather than the issues. The ‘bias of media logic’ is predictable and systematic, embedded in media-organizational working arrangements and forward planning. Hallin demonstrated that there was a clear correlation in US news coverage of elections between ‘horse-race coverage’ and sound-byte news – ‘The more of the former, the less of the latter’. Altheide advanced the concept of media format to refer to the internal organization or logic of any shared symbolic activity. The idea is of a dominant form; to which mass communication are more or less constrained to conform. Formats refer not only to broad categories of content but also to unit ideas and representations of reality-akin to stereotypes. They are useful not only to producers but also to audiences, who learn to differentiate within the mosaic of what is offered according to formats which they have learned. Altheide has found that formats are not only a key to understanding much media production but also relevant to questions of effect on society, since they shape the perception of reality acquired from media. Q1. What do ‘pressures of time and space’ refer to? (A) Standardization of content (B) Work ethics (C) Story writing (D) Disunity of content Correct Ans: (A) Explanation: Media organizations work under strict deadlines and limited space, which affects content production. They must fit news, entertainment, and advertisements within a set duration or page limit. Therefore, they standardize content to ensure smooth workflow and efficiency. This process helps maintain consistency across media platforms. Consequently, media professionals follow structured formats to present information effectively. Thus, the correct answer is (A) Standardization of content. Q2. What is magic logic, according to the authors? (A) Reference to pre-existing definitions (B) Reference to content (C) Reference to format of content (D) Reference to different contents Correct Ans: (C) Explanation: Magic logic refers to the structured way media organizations define and format content. Altheide and Snow introduced this term to explain how media follows set patterns for different content types. Moreover, media professionals use pre-existing definitions to shape news, entertainment, and advertisements. As a result, audiences expect specific styles from different media formats. Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Reference to the format of content. Q3. What are ‘relaxed formats’? (A) Part of a TV programme (B) Part of a TV news presentation (C) Part of an ethical issue (D) Part of an organizational culture Correct Ans: (B) Explanation: Relaxed formats are part of TV news presentations. These formats focus on making news engaging and accessible. For instance, news anchors adopt a friendly tone, and visual elements enhance storytelling. Additionally, short clips and informal discussions make news more appealing to viewers. Because of this, news programs attract a wider audience. Hence, the correct answer is (B) Part of a TV news presentation. Q4. How are ‘sound bites’ correlated with political campaigns? (A) Switching parties (B) Increased campaigns (C) Bias of media logic (D) Content division Correct Ans: (B) Explanation: Sound bites are short, impactful statements used in media coverage. Political campaigns rely on these clips to capture public attention. Since media prefers brief and dramatic content, politicians use sound bites to shape public opinion. Furthermore, election news often focuses on competition rather than policies. Consequently, media logic influences political communication. Thus, the correct answer is (C) Bias of media logic. Q5. What are the ‘representations of reality’? (A) Producers (B) Stereotypes (C) Effects on society (D) Unit ideas Correct Ans: (B) Explanation: Representations of reality refer to stereotypes and predefined media formats. Media organizations simplify complex issues using familiar patterns. These representations shape public perception by reinforcing existing narratives. Moreover, audiences rely on these formats to interpret media content. Because of this, media plays a significant role in shaping societal views. Therefore, the correct answer is (B) Stereotypes.

Tag: D. L. Altheide

Media Logic and Content Standardization in Mass Communication

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