Sociology Plus
Glasgow Media Group Definition
The Glasgow Media Group was a collective of researchers based at the University of Glasgow, established in 1974, known for their critical investigations into television news broadcasting. Their work garnered significant attention due to its focus on how news is constructed and the systemic biases embedded within it.
Focus and Themes
The primary concern of the group centred on the ‘agenda-setting role of media’. Their research specifically examined the construction of news, paying close attention to the use of stereotypical representations and the tendency of media narratives to affirm the existing social status quo. They sought to uncover the underlying ideologies present in mass communication.
Theoretical Approach
The Group employed analytical methods drawn from ethnomethodology, notably referencing the work of Harvey Sacks, to analyse news reports. Furthermore, they incorporated semiological concepts, quoting Roland Barthes, who suggested that the reluctance of media systems to reveal their underlying codes signifies a characteristic of bourgeois society and its associated mass culture.
Publications
The group’s critical studies were disseminated through several key publications, including Bad News (1976), More Bad News (1980), Really Bad News (1982), and War and Peace News (1985).