Binary Oppositions and Ideology 

BBC Question Time with Russell Brand and Nigel Farage

The main binary opposition in this clip is both the speakers themselves, e.g. 'Russell Brand vs Nigel Farage'. This is apparent due to the fact that both speakers have completely different views on immigration which causes a major clash between them and conflict. Russell Brand sympathises with the audience by relating to them and tells them how he too was once part of the 'working-class' and had similar difficulties whereas Nigel Farage was bought up in a middle-class environment therefore his opinion will not benefit immigrants or the working-class. The dominant ideology presented through Nigel Farage is that immigrants are the reason we are running short on public resources and he further explains that allowing more immigrants into the country will result in fewer spaces available in schools, fewer GP's  and that quality of life is getting worse etc. On the other hand, Russell brands dominant ideology is that Nigel Farage had the advantages of being raised by a family which consisted of wealth and privilege, this therefore creates an emotional and personal identification with the people in the audience as it is relate-able. Furthermore, although majority of the audience applaud and cheer for Russell Brand as he is putting his pint forward there are a few members who oppose the majority. This is shown when a man states that Russell Brand should become a politician and help make a difference rather than making his point through a talk show.

Illegal To Wear Niqab/Burkah- women loses debate with muslim women

The main binary opposition in this clip is once again both the speakers themselves, e.g. 'Eva Ahmed vs Mona Elthway'. Eva Ahmed is against the banishment of niqabs/burkahs in Framce whereas Mona Elthway wishes to see the band extended everywhere. The dominant ideology presented in this clip is that the Burkah is not a religious symbol but it is enslavement and therefore France cannot accept women being imprisoned behind a mask. This ideology is supported by Mona as she goes onto explain how wearing the niqab is not written in the Quran therefore it is not an obligation and that showing the face is important during communication. However, the alternative ideology which is highlighted by Eva Ahmed is that the band is just another way for men to dominate women and tell them how to dress of live their lives and its another way to control women and by taking it to government is wrong because it is against human rights. She explains how its a free choice and it something some muslim women choose to wear. By the end of the video the main binary opposition is 'Muslim women vs the government'. Also, the dominant ideology by the end of the clip is that muslim women should be allowed to wear what they like and it shouldn't be legitimised just because a group of people don't like it otherwise every other attire people don't approve of should also become illegal.

12D Cover Work - Monday 7/12, p1/2 

The World of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia and Propaganda 

The article analyses the dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film and the series as whole, drawing attention to elements where media theory can be most usefully applied. In the dystopian society of Panem, thirteen districts exist only to serve the capital city of the country, named ‘The Capitol’. The districts are poor and barely survive on minimum food and wages. They work to provide coal, technology, food, power and other services to the Capitol. Each year two children between the ages of 11-18 are sent from each district to take part in ‘The Hunger Games’ which forces each child to kill everyone else until only one remains. The game is made to maintain peace and keep the districts under control. Using Marxist theory to assess this representation, we can see that the ruling class keep the poor under control. This physical withdrawal of the means to survive, combined with the public abuse of those that step out of line, are ‘civic state apparatuses’. There is also a vital ideological element to the way Panem is run; those in power control ideas, as well as resources. President Snow believes that hope is the ‘only thing stronger than fear’, and he deals with rebels by spreading fear among the districts. He mainly does this through propaganda and the media, using constant repeats of previous ‘Hunger Games’.

They Live: Ideology

This article explores one of the most complex and difficult aspects of the Media Studies curriculum: the concept of ideology. It explores the meaning of the term, and its related concept of hegemony, and look at the work of three key theorists. Finally it explores the term further through a powerful 1988 film acknowledged to be one of the hidden masterpieces of Hollywood: John Carpenter’s They Live. These are three features that are generally agreed to be part of the dominant ideology in Britain:

• People should put their families first.

• Women should behave in feminine ways, and look after their appearance.

• People should work hard for their money.

In 21st-century Britain, a particularly significant aspect of our ideology is that, unlike some other cultures or regimes, it is not forced upon us through violence or coercion by government or the military. Zizek explores how we now accept our control, yet are completely dominated. A fantastic starting point for a student is his documentary, subversively titled The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology (2012).