Monday 25 April 2011

Postmodernism- Exam practice

To what extent would you say that contempoary television news broadcasting is postmodern?

The news is very postmodern as there is inertextuality, bricolage and metanarrative, and Baudrillard's simulacra and hyper reality theories are also present.

Firstly, it is said that intertextuality and bricolage is a concept of postmodernism and it could be said its present in the news. Intertexuality is when one texts refers to another to add meaning. Sometimes, the news almost refers to itself. For example a news report might have content from the last report such as the same images or same dialogue, but with more information. This give audiences who have seen the last report a feeling of develoment in the event. For those who haven't seen the previous report, they are still able to follow the event. This is what is expected from post modern texts; all audiences should be able to understand whats going on wheather they've watched the intertextual reference or not.

There is also a sense of bricolage in the news. The news and documentary have very similar elements e.g. the sound bridging, voice overs, expert interviews, accounts from real people, footage from the event that links to the story. However, the news mixes in this live event styling, with reporters, presenters and live footage. The the news, which has be regarded as its own genre could have arguably been adopted by documentary and live events.

Metanarrative is also in the news as is provides a range of narratives (reports and stories) that help shape our society and culture.

Bauldrillard came up with the simulcrum and hyperreality theories which is "the simulation of something which never really existed". Live news simulates event around the world in our own society, so we think we are experiencing the event it when we are not. The event we are experiencing isnt real as no one in the "actual event" is watching it from the comfort of our home.

Overall, I would say that the news is very post modern as it has all the ingredients of a postmodern text, from intertexuality, to the simulation of reality.

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