January Assessment Learner Response

1) -Good attempt under the circumstances: satisfactory responses
    - be fully prepared and arrive for the test on time

Q1 - synergy - allows companies to maximise profit from a brand (e.g. Harry Potter) by branching
out into other platforms, merchandise or products.
Q2 - Unique funding model for BBC and Channel 4 means channels don’t need to chase
audiences/high ratings and PSB remit means subjects are covered and people are
represented that otherwise may be ignored by commercial broadcasters. (for)
Q3 - 'mean world syndrome' / Hypodermic needle theory – largely discredited but perhaps becoming relevant again in era of ‘fake news’ and echo chambers. This would also support idea media has damaging effect on audiences.

3) 2

4) i identified three different strategies and their benefits but need to make sure the benefits i give are different for each one.

5) could have added points about how channel 4 reinvests profits back into programmes which raises quality and benefits audiences. could have also explained how BBC and Channel 4 shouldn’t produce popular programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing as this is unfair on commercial broadcasters struggling to survive in the digital age. Instead PSB channels should focus on programming that isn’t profitable so therefore not produced by commercial rivals.

6)Dependency theory – this could support the idea that the media is having a damaging effect
on audiences. Rokeach and Defleur said audiences were becoming dependent on the media
in 1976 – it could be argued it is even more true today. Studies in recent years have raised
concerns over young people and social media use. If audiences become dependant on the media this could have a negative impact of their lives as they may also develop the mean world syndrome - having a negative and more fearful viewpoint of real life events. This could then lead to a moral panic, suggesting that the media has a damaging effect on audiences.