Institutions

This week’s lectorial focused on media Institutions, and how it acts on organising structure within society. Brian explained the term in conjunction with sociology and ways of analysing the world. Institutions have the power to set up social, cultural, political and economic elements to form certain tangible relationships. And it is the principles, values and ruled that underlie these foundations. Marriage was used as an example, as it is through the social institutions that ‘make up’ marriage. The social, cultural, symbolic, economic and legal factors. Society believes that marriage is an obligatory norm, in order for a relationship to last. Media institutions like ABC, Newscorp, broadcast tv, community radio and public service broadcasting are examples of this, their enduring nature, and ways of regulating and structuring activity that may either provide stability and guidance, or suggest ways of working against the media. As the media is growing, some sort of ‘trust’ between the institutions and audience becomes apparent, the public becomes aware. This causes the institution to deliver through the credibility of its values to gain authority.

We then had to complete a in-class activity, show in the table below.