Cambridge A Level Media Studies 9607 — 2022 May/June Paper 4 · Variant 1

1 Analyse the challenges of regulating the media in the digital age. [15] Postmodern media

Mark scheme: 1 EITHER Media regulation Analyse the challenges of regulating the media in the digital age. 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: Debates differing national/international laws and access to content/platforms/sites ‘Wild west web’ Role of regulators Impact of local Social/ Cultural/Political contexts Social media exemption US lawSection 230 provides a safe harbour for third party providers who are not construed as publishers of their users’ content Rise of ‘fake news’/factchecking/blue ticks vs anonymity QAnon and conspiracy sites Youtube and social mediaage-appropriate controls (lack of) Graphic contentdeep fake video. 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 Explain the knowledge and understanding needed by audiences in order to make sense of postmodern media texts. [15] Power and the media

Mark scheme: 2 AND/OR Postmodern media Explain the skills needed by the audience in order to make sense of a postmodern media 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; Understanding of theories of Postmodernism eg pastiche and how they apply to texts eg: Borat Subsequent Movie Film, Personal History of David Copperfield, Lovecraft Country, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Stranger Things, Real Housewives of… Community 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 ‘The media condition the way we think.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? [15]

Mark scheme: 3 AND/OR Power and the media “Ownership of media companies is restricted to a privileged minority, which means that the media are never fully representative.” How far 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: ‘Effects theory’ Uses and Gratifications/Hypodermic models Gramsci and Hegemony Theories of Dominant Ideologies and resistance to them Curran and Seaton’s work on influence of the pressPower Without Responsibility Concentration of ownership limits pluralistic voices Audience TheoryStuart Hall/Morley Different readings of texts Democratisation offered by webcyber utopians vs dystopian views the online amplifies inequalities in society 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. 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. 9 marks 6 marks Media Concepts Contexts & Critical Debates Use of Terminology Analysis of how meaning is created, including use of theory Use of Examples Sophisticated understanding of and insightful reference to several relevant key concepts 3 marks Insightful understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question 3 marks A wide range of media terminology is used precisely and accurately, and with sophistication, to make subtle points 3 marks 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 3 marks Insightful and fully appropriate selection of examples from a wide range of texts 3 marks Clear understanding of and appropriate reference to some key concepts 2 marks Clear understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question 2 marks Media terminology is used appropriately, to make clear points 2 marks 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 2 marks Clear and appropriate selection of examples from a range of texts 2 marks Marking criteria for Section A Question 1, Question 2 and Question 3 Basic understanding of and minimal reference to any key concepts 1 mark Minimal understanding of the wider contexts or critical debates raised in the question 1 mark Basic use of media terminology, with frequent errors which impede communication 1 mark Basic analysis, from case studies which may not be appropriate to the question Minimal references to even basic media theory 1 mark Basic and minimal selection of examples, may lack relevance in parts 1 mark No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks Section B: Media ecology

4 ‘Given the dominance of global media, there are now few opportunities for local voices to be expressed.’ How far do you agree with this statement? [30]

Mark scheme: 4 ‘Given the dominance of global media, there is now very little space for local differences.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Indicative content Material listed below demonstrates how candidates might approach the question. It is a description of possible content only. It is not prescriptive, nor is it exclusive; examiners must be careful to reward original but well-focused answers. This question is synoptic so candidates should draw on their learning throughout the course, and may also make connections between this learning and other, related, areas. Candidates may address: Arguments around cultural imperialismhistoric domination by US popular culture and resistance to it by local producers Local hubs (Bollywood/ Nollywood) rivalling Hollywood Impact of diaspora in geographical spread of local audiences (and impact upon mainstream global media) Rapid growth of emerging markets and their influence on cultural imports (John Boyega  and other black actors  replaced by Chinese actor Liu Haoran from Jo Malone ad for their domestic market) criteria:  Media concepts (AO1) [6 marks]  Contexts and debates (AO1) [6 marks]  Use of terminology (AO1) [6 marks]  Analysis of how meaning is created (AO2) [6 marks]  Use of examples (AO2) [6 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 B Question 4 AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates, using terminology appropriately. 18 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. 12 marks Media Concepts Contexts & Critical Debates Use of Terminology Analysis of how meaning is created, including use of theory Use of Examples Sophisticated understanding of and insightful reference to several relevant key concepts 5–6 marks Insightful understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question 5–6 marks A wide range of media terminology is used precisely and accurately, and with sophistication, to make subtle points 5-6 marks 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 5–6 marks Insightful and fully appropriate selection of examples from a wide range of texts 5–6 marks Clear understanding of and appropriate reference to some key concepts 3–4 marks Clear understanding of the wider contexts and critical debates raised in the question 3–4 marks Media terminology is used appropriately, to make clear points 3–4 marks 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 3–4 marks Clear and appropriate selection of examples from a range of texts 3–4 marks Marking criteria for Section B Question 4 Basic understanding of and minimal reference to any key concepts 1–2 marks Minimal understanding of the wider contexts or critical debates raised in the question 1–2 marks Basic use of media terminology, with frequent errors which impede communication 1–2 marks Basic analysis, from case studies which may not be appropriate to the question Minimal references to even basic media theory 1–2 marks Basic and minimal selection of examples, may lack relevance in parts 1–2 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks No creditable content 0 marks