Synthesis

My dissertation tackles how the media’s depiction of gruesome murders effects the response of the tv viewer. Three main media theories have informed the dissertation; Copycat theory, Cultivation theory and Desensitisation theory. The three theories are the basis for my practical work. I have one comic expressing what each theory is using poetry and a certain sense of sarcasm and patronisation. The books take a mocking stance on the theories and to link them all together in a ‘visual conclusion’ I have included a fourth book which states that media can both over exaggerate, underrate the news, or show it as it is. All culminating in the final response, which is a small, bag of salt with the statement ‘take the media representations with a pinch of salt’. This is to show that all three theories explain part of the relationship we have with the media and television.  My practical is to point out that we have a responsibility with how we react and cannot let ourselves just be dictated by the media we have experienced. I want the salt to encourage people to fact check and find out the truth their own way rather than being drawn along the wave of sensationalised news stories.