1. Lucy Smith

2. THE THEORY
 Blumler and Katz 1974
 Suggests that the audience control what is produced
by the media
 e.g. for a magazine the audience will decide what
artists the magazine will feature – the magazine will
comply with audience to ensure it’s success
 Without the audience there would be no media
 Instead of focusing on the question ‘what does the
media do to people?’ this theory looks at ‘what do the
people do to the media?’
 There are four criteria for the audience to obtain for
satisfaction with media products............

3. 1. Diversion
This is the need to remove themselves
from their normal activities, from everyday
life – an emotional release.

4. 2. Surveillance
Being educated about factors that might
help you or help you accomplish
something.

5. 3. Personal Identity
Using media to find out about yourself,
sometimes people that are represented,
mirror us in some way.

6. 4. Personal Relationships
Social aspect – being up to date on media
provides a substantial conversation
topic.

7. Application
Diversion
NME Provides an
escape from daily
life – allows
audience to indulge
themselves in music
world.
Surveillance
NME provides
readers with
updates on
popular
celebrities
lives
Personal Identity
Readers of NME
may idolise or
identify themselves
with Kurt Cobain
Personal
Relationships
Razorlight’s new
album could
provide
conversation
topic with friends