Cambridge A Level Media Studies 9607 — 2021 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 1

1 Evaluate the reasons for and against stricter media regulation. [15] Postmodern media

Mark scheme: 1 EITHER Media regulation Evaluate the reasons for and against stricter media regulation. Indicative content Candidates may draw upon a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies which can be used to support and illustrate key points. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contextual issues surrounding media regulation and be able to link them to their chosen case studies. Candidates may address: Regulation in a particular media context; Public and policy debate about the need for tighter regulation in this area; The basis for arguments for and against tighter regulation (e.g. moral, democratic, pluralistic); Examples of illustrative cases; Technological challenges; Shifting values. knowledge and understanding, illustrated through case study material, relevant to the question. Assessment will take place across five criteria: • Media concepts (AO1) [3 marks] • Contexts and debates (AO1) [3 marks] • Use of terminology (AO1) [3 marks] • Analysis of how meaning is created (AO2) [3 marks] • Use of examples (AO2) [3 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. This guidance should be used in conjunction with the Level Descriptors. It is not prescriptive, nor is it exclusive; examiners must be careful to reward original but well- focused answers and implicit as well development. This indicative content is intended to indicate aspects of questions that may feature in candidates’ answers.

2 Analyse the challenges of interpreting the postmodern text. [15] Power and the media

Mark scheme: 2 AND/OR Postmodern media Analyse the challenges of interpreting the postmodern text. Indicative content Candidates may draw upon a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies which can be used to support and illustrate key points. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of postmodernism and be able to link them to their chosen case studies. Candidates may address: Concepts of postmodernism; Notional differences between postmodern and ‘traditional’ texts; Modes of address to audiences; Audiences’ media literacy; The need for a new set of competences to make sense of postmodern texts. knowledge and understanding, illustrated through case study material, relevant to the question. Assessment will take place across five criteria: • Media concepts (AO1) [3 marks] • Contexts and debates (AO1) [3 marks] • Use of terminology (AO1) [3 marks] • Analysis of how meaning is created (AO2) [3 marks] • Use of examples (AO2) [3 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. This guidance should be used in conjunction with the Level Descriptors. It is not prescriptive, nor is it exclusive; examiners must be careful to reward original but well- focused answers and implicit as well development. This indicative content is intended to indicate aspects of questions that may feature in candidates’ answers.

3 ‘Audiences now have just as much power as media institutions.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [15]

Mark scheme: 3 AND/OR Power and the media ‘Audiences now have just as much power as media institutions.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Indicative content Candidates may draw upon a wide range of contemporary and historical case studies which can be used to support and illustrate key points. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of power and the media and be able to link them to their chosen case studies. Candidates may address: Notions of the ‘public sphere’; The affordances of social media in creating a space and channel for public voices; The impact of those ‘voices’ (e.g. via Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other channels); The relationship between the press and social media; Key examples of ‘people power’; The limits of such power; The reach and impact of different distribution channels. knowledge and understanding, illustrated through case study material, relevant to the question. Assessment will take place across five criteria: • Media concepts (AO1) [3 marks] • Contexts and debates (AO1) [3 marks] • Use of terminology (AO1) [3 marks] • Analysis of how meaning is created (AO2) [3 marks] • Use of examples (AO2) [3 marks] Candidates’ work should be judged on each of these criteria individually and marks awarded according to the level attained. It should be noted that it is possible for a candidate to achieve a different level for each assessment criterion. This guidance should be used in conjunction with the Level Descriptors. It is not prescriptive, nor is it exclusive; examiners must be careful to reward original but well- focused answers and implicit as well development. This indicative content is intended to indicate aspects of questions that may feature in candidates’ answers. Marking criteria for Section A Question 1, Question 2 and Question 3 AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using terminology appropriately. 9 marks AO2: Analyse media products, and evaluate their own work, by applying knowledge and understanding of theoretical and creative approaches, to explain how meaning is created, supported with relevant textual evidence. 6 marks Media Concepts Contexts & Critical Debates Use of Terminology Analysis of how meaning is created, including use of theory Use of Examples 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks Sophisticated understanding of and insightful reference to several relevant key concepts Insightful understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question A wide range of media terminology is used precisely and accurately, and with sophistication, to make subtle points Sophisticated and insightful analysis of texts from multiple case studies is used to explore the chosen area in depth Relevant theories are sophisticatedly used to explore the question Insightful and fully appropriate selection of examples from a wide range of texts 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks Clear understanding of and appropriate reference to some key concepts Clear understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question Media terminology is used appropriately, to make clear points Clear analysis of texts from one or more case study is used to respond appropriately Occasional references to relevant theories, not always accurately used or understood Clear and appropriate selection of examples from a range of texts 2 marks 2 marks 2 marks 2 marks 2 marks Marking criteria for Section A Question 1, Question 2 and Question 3 AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using terminology appropriately. 9 marks AO2: Analyse media products, and evaluate their own work, by applying knowledge and understanding of theoretical and creative approaches, to explain how meaning is created, supported with relevant textual evidence. 6 marks Media Concepts Contexts & Critical Debates Use of Terminology Analysis of how meaning is created, including use of theory Use of Examples 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks 3 marks Basic understanding of and minimal reference to any key concepts Minimal understanding of the wider contexts or critical debates raised in the question Basic use of media terminology, with frequent errors which impede communication Basic analysis, from case studies which may not be appropriate to the question Minimal references to even basic media theory. Basic and minimal selection of examples, may lack relevance in parts 1 mark 1 mark 1 mark 1 mark 1 mark No creditable content No creditable content No creditable content No creditable content No creditable content 0 marks 0 marks 0 marks 0 marks 0 marks