Semiotics and Binary Opposition

Representation is the way in which people, groups, cultures and ideas are shown or indeed reflected through media. Moreover, it is paramount to understand the fact that media, such as television or radio, can never be 'live'. For instance, a 'live' concert broadcast claiming to be 'live' doesn't give an impression of the gig's atmosphere in it's entirety. It is simply the production teams impression of the event, and it's important to differentiate between being there in the flesh, or just watching a 'reflection' of the truth.

Three Key Terms:-
Macro Analysis is a broad analysis and covers perceptions on a wider scale.
Micro Analysis is looking in more detail, and how it was created.
Mediation is the process where media institutions are the go between; they select and organise material for their audience.

Semiotics Glossary:-
Signifier: Any material thing that signifies.
Signified: The concept a signifier refers to.

So therefore:
Indexical Sign: Signs where the signifier is caused by the signified.
Symbolic Sign: The relation between sinfier and signified is purely conventional and culturally specific.
Iconic Sign: Signs where the signifier resembles the signified.


Binary Opposition:-
A concept developed by Strauss and Barthes whereby if you cannot experience the opposite of an emotion (eg. Sadness), you cannot feel the emotion itself.