Page 23 - English in Media Discourse

PART FIVE
MEDIA DISCOURSE AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION

A. The role of media discourse in shaping individual and group
identities

The role of media discourse in shaping individual and group
identities is a complex and multifaceted process. Media
discourse, including social media and traditional mass media,
plays a significant role in influencing and shaping individual
and group identities. The following insights from the provided
sources shed light on this topic:
1. Shaping Individual Identity: Media discourse,
particularly through social media, influences the
construction and negotiation of individual identities. It
raises questions about the impact of social media and
related practices on the dynamics of identity, including the
construction, shaping, and negotiation of identity. This
includes considering the dialectic between the individual
and the group, and the potential for digital platforms to
create a shared identity that extends beyond language
barriers 45.

2. Influence on Group Identities: Media, including social
media and other forms of communication technology, has a
significant influence on shaping public opinion and
underlying sentiment. It brings people together, fosters a
sense of belonging and identity, and can also be used to
target individuals, particularly young users, to radicalize
them into specific belief systems and divisive ways of
seeing the world. Furthermore, media discourse can
contribute to the negotiation of group identities in a
multicultural society, impacting the ways in which different
groups are represented and interact within the media 46.

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