1) To what extent do you agree with Alain de Botton's views on the News?
I agree with most of what he's saying, especially the part where he says that there is a plethora of news and that the same stuff keeps being circulated round and round and that we as an audience must recognize this. I also agreed about how with new and digital media that hierarchical structures in newspapers were being broken down, for example on front pages of newspapers and online news sites celebrity news and gossip can make headlines and maybe more political and 'important stuff' is placed further back.
2) How can you link Marxism and Hegemony to de Botton's criticisms of the News?
In the speech he talked about how economic news is very important but then he linked it to Marxism soon after. But this wasn't his only criticism on the news. Marxism and Hegemony suggests that there is one ruling class over other groups and that the mass media is a way of communicating there dominant ideologies in favor of the ruling class which is usually socialist and capitalist views. They do this to appeal to another dominant class to avoid rebelling against them. The use of the mass media helps spread there views to be accepted as a 'norm', for example Patriotism and Gramsci mentioned the compulsory school system.
3) How could you use Pluralism and new technology to challenge de Botton's views on the News?
De Botton sees the News as a Monolith and something that isn't interested in change or interested in the people. However Pluralism and the new technology change that statement. This is because ndm can change the power audiences and institutions have resulting in Institution mainly having to change the way they deliver news, for example being biased to cater one particular group or being balanced like the BBC and exploring both arguments.
4) Choose two news stories from the last six months - one that supportsde Botton's views and one that challenges his belief that the News is used for social control.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/prince-england-rugby-team-lead-9247994 This link challenges his belief that the news is used for social control, the article is about The royal family and the English rugby team lead remembrance ceremonies.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/20/indian-train-derailment-kills-dozens-and-injures-over-100 supports de Botton's views
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