This document provides guidance for answering an exam question on contemporary media issues in the online age. Students will be asked to answer one of two questions analyzing how online media has developed and impacted media production, consumer behavior, and convergence. They must use specific case studies and research to demonstrate understanding across at least two media forms. Students should discuss the historical context, current issues, and future debates related to online media and the chosen topics. Potential topics include music/film distribution, online television, gaming, news, or other forms of user-generated content.

1. Section B: Contemporary Media Issues -
Media in the Online Age

2. The Critical Perspectives Exam – 2 hrs
Section A:
Theoretical Evaluation of
Production Section B:
Contemporary
Media Issues
Q1(a)
25 marks
Media in the
Online Age
50 marks
Q1(b)
25 marks

3. Section B: Contemporary Media Issues
Media in the Online Age
You are required to answer one question (out of a
choice of two) on the contemporary issues and debates
surrounding different forms of media in the online age.

4. Media in the Online Age Past questions
• "For media audiences, the internet has changed
everything." Discuss.
• Explain the extent to which online media exist alongside
older methods of distribution in 2010.
• How important to change in the media is the idea of
convergence? Refer to at least two media in your answer.
• "The impact of the internet on the media is revolutionary."
Discuss.
• Discuss the extent to which the distribution and
consumption of media have been transformed by the
internet.

5. • You must prepare and use specific case
studies, texts, debates and research of the
topic to demonstrate understanding of the
contemporary issue. This understanding must
combine knowledge of at least two media and
a range of texts, industries, audiences and
debates.

6. Prompt questions
You must be prepared to answer an exam question that relates to one
or more of these four prompts:
• How have online media developed?
• What has been the impact of the Internet on media production?
• How is consumer behaviour and audience response transformed
by online media, in relation to the past?
• To what extent has convergence transformed the media?

7. There should be emphasis on the historical, the
contemporary and the future in relation to the chosen
topic, with most attention on the present:
• Historical – dependent on the requirements of the
topic, candidates must summarise the development of
the media forms in question in theoretical contexts.
• Contemporary – current issues within the topic area.
• Future – candidates must demonstrate personal
engagement with debates about the future of the
media forms / issues that the topic relates to.

8. 'Candidates might explore combinations of any two
media, considering how each (or the two in converged
forms) can be analysed from the above prompts.‘
Examples might be:
• music downloading and distribution
• the film industry and the internet
• online television
• online gaming
• online news provision
• various forms of online media production by the public
• or a range of other online media forms.