Finlay's A Level Media

Explain how representations in adverts are constructed to promote the product. Choose two of the adverts you have studied. In the Old Spice advert, the product is promoted in an unusual way. This is achieved through the positioning of random items with each other, such as Isiah Mustafa on a white stallion, holding a bottle of Old Spice shampoo on a handful of diamonds. The advert also takes place on a beach. They only part of the advert that relates to the product is the speech and the actual product that is featured. This creates a unique feel about the product and allows it to stand out from regular grooming product adverts. Most video advertisements show the product being used and the benefits gained from using the product. Old Spice stray extremely far from the norm by very seldom mentioning the product, only that it will turn you into a ‘proper’ man . This abstract representation of the product promotes it positively and effectively as it remains in the minds of the audience

1. Explain the political significance of the concept of 'press freedom' and its relationship to representative democracy. Why do you think freedom of the press is important? How much influence top you think the government should have about the things reported in the UK press? Press freedom is significant as it gives media institutions the ability to produce stories in any political alignment that they want and also publish any stories they feel are in the public interest. This is important as it means the public can receive news stories that they need to hear, even if they damage the people's reputations. It allows all news to be given to the public so that we have all the information we might need about politics and economics as well as some celebrity stories in tabloids. Without press freedom we would live in a country with state censorship where the government controls what news we receive. This means that they could, if they wanted, only allow stories in their favour