How media messages are made — Media, 11–13
Every post, video, advert and news report is made by someone for a reason. Learn to notice the choices behind a media message.
A media message is built
A media message does not simply appear as a perfect window onto reality. Someone chooses the words, pictures, sounds, order and length, while leaving other things out. These choices guide what we notice and how we may feel about it.
Why look for the choices?
People once often treated printed news, radio or television as if each gave the whole story. But every medium has limited space, time and attention, and creators must select what to show. Asking “Who made this, for whom and why?” helps us understand the message instead of accepting it automatically.
Example: one event, two messages
A school team wins 3–1. Post A shows the captain lifting the cup and says, “Champions at last!” Post B shows a defender falling and says, “A lucky escape.” The score is the same, but the image and words spotlight different parts. Compare what each post includes, omits and makes you feel.
Trap: “It is just a picture”
It is reasonable to trust a clear photo because cameras record something that really happened. The trap is forgetting that a real moment can be cropped, posed, edited or shown without context. Before deciding what it proves, ask what happened just before and after the frame.
Use: read the construction
Use this when you see a dramatic thumbnail, a campaign poster, a short video or a news headline. Notice the creator, intended audience, purpose, chosen details and missing details. You do not have to reject the message; you are checking how it was built before you trust or share it.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…