According to Althusser (1971) the media is part of the ideological state apparatuses [ISAs]. These are the mechanisms used by the ruling-class to control ideas, which support their interests and maintain their power in capitalist societies. The media influences the way in which the poor and working-classes are perceived by the public as lazy, worthless and welfare dependent. Although Althusser’s theory was published in the 1970s, it is still relevant in today’s neoliberal capitalist society. This is demonstrated in Jensen’s (2014) concept of poverty porn and Tyler’s (2015) notion that the material predicament of the poor has become TV entertainment for the masses. The public generally believe what they see, hear and read in the legacy mainstream media. However, the concept of ISAs overlooks the power that new social media platforms have to change how the public see and think about the poor.
i. Refer to two real-life examples that demonstrate how the media demonises some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society.
ii. Is the current system of welfare benefits so generous that it undermines work by handing out ‘free’ payments, or is that a myth? Support your response with evidence, rather than simply writing down your opinions.
iii. How can social media be used to change public opinion about the poor, and in doing so also improve government welfare policies?
SOCIAL ACTION SOCIETY C.I.C. 
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People turn to media to gather their opinion such as elections
the media controls the way we dress and think about others who dress differently
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The media influences the opinions and beliefs of the majority, and this is seen in real life through promotion of brands influencing what people buy and how different events are portrayed in the media influencing public opinion on the matter
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Tailoring people’s explore page to their own interests
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Using media as idealogical state apparatus is arguably easier now as the media is easier to access and more widespread
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the Southport riots with media outlets saying that the male was an immigrant
2010 ripts
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1.mothers with more than 2 kids on benefits
2.making the public think everyone on benefits are lying
I think it’s a myth as there is now a 2 child benefit cap so they aren’t giving money to people who are having kids just for the benefits
the media can stop exaggerating and making the public hate the poor and instead talk about real statistics and real struggles the poor face
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programmes such as benefit street are used as a way to demonise those on benefits and use it to twist the truth. It makes out that those on benefits don’t work at all. Whilst this is the case for some people, a lot of people who claim benefits use it as a means of survival on top of their wages
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social media is more accessible nowadays therefore the idea is spread easier through tv shows and social platforms, the welfare system can be abused but is a good opportunity to those who are unable to work.
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the current welfare state to some is used as an alternative to work. Whilst work should not be a defining point, many see it to be. For example, the ideology of neoliberalism. This ideology reiterates the idea that those on benefits are lazy and don’t work. By saying this, many believe that those receiving benefits are reviving ‘free money’ when this is not the case
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I)
ii) I think that people who work should be earning more than those who just receive benefits. Being “too generous” means SOME people may get comfortable just receiving those benefits
iii) Social Media can be used to accurately show how poor people live and survive day to day. This could then change public opinions to not demonise those who are poorer and it can show many don’t live off government money because they don’t like work. However, the media can be manipulated to continue to demonise them
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Demonising them who are just using the system for their own gain. If we all could no one would work that’s the life people want money just coming in their accounts without having to do much. The media Demonises these types of people looks down on them etc. Creating shows like benefit street to further push the agenda of the working class being too lazy and disgusting.
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The media greatly influences society’s opinions on the poor through audio-visual means to police public opinion, and this is usually seen in shows such as Benefits Street. It is usually negative and seen as exploiting the poor to divert attention from crisis in capitalism (Poverty Porn), however it could have a positive impact if it were to express the victimisation of the poor to wider society and lead to class consciousness, as well as advancements in policies that benefit the poor and society
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the current welfare state does not hand out money as if it grows on trees, but instead the gov have cut the benefit system from 2014-15 by £18 billion and have installed a 2 child cap on benefits, limiting those who want to cheat the system by producing more children
social media can help lobby the gov to make changes to policy & help to change the societal views on the top 1% by factually reporting and enlightening on the fact those are the main ones for causing societal loss of money through tax evasion instead of those at the bottom trying to gain benefits
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I. Demonisation of migrant workers and refugees.
the UK’s benefits scroungers narrative.
ii. The idea that that the welfare benefits are so generous that they undermine work by handing out free payments are largely a myth, not supported by evidence.
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underprivileged people who have been failed by the system and given the identity that they rely solely on benefits to live a life of leisure and fund their lifestyle which is far from the truth for most. With over 60% of people on benefits working, it sums up the notion that the wages we are being paid are not enough and cannot sustain a living standard.
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The perception provided by the media endeavours to blame people for the situation they are in and infact does not fully explain why or how they got there.TV programmes such as Jeremy Kyle and Benefits Street look to mock and use these people purely for entertainment, and to popularise the broadcast.
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As The welfare society has arises, the people of the working class are diminished. And the less working class are paying more taxes to the Government. It is kind of a ideal thing that people are taking more welfares but paying less tax, but all of the policies are making the rich and poor gap and some harassment to the society.
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i – Benefit Street: This focus on portraying them as work-shy and dependent on benefits. Its exploiting vulnerable people for entertainment, reinforcing negative stereotypes about those living in poverty. But also Newspaper Coverage of Food Banks: Some media outlets have run stories blaming the rise in food bank usage on people abusing the system rather than on factors like low wages, unemployment, and benefit cuts.
ii. The idea that the current welfare system is so generous it undermines work is largely a myth. Studies have shown that benefit levels are often insufficient to cover basic living costs, and the majority of people on benefits want to work but face barriers such as lack of skills, childcare costs, or health problems.
iii. Organising Campaigns: Social media can be used to mobilise people to advocate for policy changes, such as increased minimum wage, affordable housing, and better access to education and healthcare.
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Shows like the Jeremy Kyle Show and Benefits street basically use the workless class as forms of entertainment and what’s called poverty porn. One of the reasons why the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society are demonised is because of shows like the ones I’ve listed, and I don’t think any amount of social media awareness can make that part of society less stigmatised.
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it could be seen as generous with what the government is giving however if you look at how the system around those people relying on those government funds then you could have empathy for what it is they are going through. Every person’s circumstance is different. A single mum on benefits with x amount of children will want to prioritise wanting to care for her kids herself as she may not have the support of relatives or friends to upkeep the care of her children or the household. The money she gets probably only holds her over for a couple weeks with it going on groceries, hygienic care, bills, rent etc. These are what we need to look at and analyse who is really to blame.
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the current government giving out free payments is conditioning people into thinking they don’t need to work as if they don’t they are better off as seen in some real life examples. Other examples show that these free payments cause more issues as people shame others for using them. The media could show the real life that people still work while on these benefits as either alone isn’t enough to sustain people.
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Social media can be useful in changing public opinion by shifting from a story of singular fault to it being systematic. Instead of using shows that give a bad narrative on benefits, potentially using real life people to present real live experiences.
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2. Welfare benefits are generally in more lower level than the average wage, which means that full-time employment usually provides a significantly higher income. Therefore, rather than being so generous that they encourage long term unemployment, welfare systems function to reduce economic shocks and support those who are temporarily unable to work.
3. Welfare recipients can share their experiences in social media, and this will help challenge and break negative stereotypes. For example in instagram if campaigns are spread through hashtags, the government may become more aware of existing problems and feel in pressure to correct misinformation and address bad reporting.
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