1. THE STATE AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS
THE MARXIST VIEW
1. In what way is the relationship between the state and the media reciprocal? Give an example.
2. What are the effects of the 1911 official secrets act? How is this overcome?
3. Briefly outline what is meant by ‘news management’. Give an example.
4. How was the deviancy amplification model used to elicit public sympathy during the Iraq war?
Give an example for each stage
5. Why don’t we take the news seriously?

2. THE STATE AND THE POLITICAL PROCESS
THE MARXIST VIEW
1. In what way is the relationship between the state and the media reciprocal? Give an example
Governments offer knighthoods and peerages in return for sympathetic treatment in the press.
Rupert Murdochs influence with Mrs Thatcher
2. What are the effects of the 1911 official secrets act? How is this overcome?
Forbids unauthorised disclosure of information by civil servants whether classified or not. Prime
Minister’s press secretary gives briefings to selected lobby journalists who can only legally report
what they are told.
3. Briefly outline what is meant by ‘news management’. Give an example.
Because journalists are under pressure to write an article or broadcast in a sympathetic way to
maintain their privileged access, the governments use spin doctors to their own advantage. Eg
Falklands war, the campaign involved censorship and suppression of information and
disinformation. No ‘live’ pictures were sent back, journalists reports were heavily censored and
delayed. Official accounts bore little resemblance to reality.
4. How was the deviancy amplification model used to elicit public sympathy during the Iraq war?
Give examples
1. The crisis (Twin towers)
2. Demonisation of the enemy’s leader (Saddam Hussein)
3. Demonisation of the enemy as individuals (Taliban)
4. Atrocities (an intolerable and evil presence)
5. Why don’t we take the news seriously?
Good looks and amiability of the cast, pleasant banter, exciting music that opens and closed the
show.