The Media & the Role of Ideology

• Marxists believe that, as part of the Superstructure, the media helps the ruling class transmit its ideology, and portray the existing unequal system as fair & legitimate
• Marxists believe the media helps create a 'false class-consciousness' where the Proletariat can't challenge the unequal, exploitative system
• Ralph Miliband (1969) wrote his book 'The State in a Capitalist Society'
• Ralph Miliband wrote his book 'The State in a Capitalist Society' in 1969
• Ralph Miliband (1969) argued that the ruling class use the media to control society by creating a false picture of reality that represents Capitalism in a positive way
• Ralph Miliband (1969) argued that the media presents inequalities created by the Capitalist system in such a way as to make them appear inevitable, justifiable and effective for society, so the Proletariat accepts the values of the Capitalist system
• Ralph Miliband (1969) was concerned about the impact of the Media and referred to it as the "new opium of the people" (drawing on a reference about religion from Karl Marx, 1844)
• Ralph Miliband (1969) argued that the media has replaced religion as the institution that acts like a drug to numb the senses and produce an illusion of happiness that is not real & takes the Proletariat's attention away from the exploitation of the Bourgeoisie & the Capitalist System