The Media & the Role of Meritocracy

• Both traditional Marxist & Neo-Marists agree that media representations of social groups are constructed to support the interests of the ruling class and to maintain their power & control over the rest of society
• Marxists believe that power & control in the media lies with the ruling class including the State and owners of the media, and that they shape the way that social groups are represented and they way in which society as a whole is understood
• Marxists argue that the ruling class are presented as trustworthy and deserving of their position (Entrepreneurs such as Dragons' Den), whilst the poor are represented as feckless, ignorant & underserving ('Benefits Street')
• Marxists view society as engaged in a perpetual conflict between social classes, but the media is seen as portraying society as consensus and that legitimate points of conflict in society are obscured
• Marxists believe that Media owners such as Rupert Murdoch, are seen as important factors in the ruling class's controlling influence with society
• Marxists believe that the media uses particular representations of social class for the benefit of the ruling class
• Marxists believe that the representations of social classes are seeking to manipulate the Proletariat into believing they live in a system of Meritocracy, a system where success is achieved through talent & ability rather than privilege or wealth