AQA GCSE Media Studies key terms

An image format with greater resolution and visible detail than standard definition.

The circumstances of a particular period, including events and developments that influence a media product’s creation.

Ownership or acquisition of businesses operating at the same stage of an industry, such as several film-production companies.

A publication’s recognisable design identity, including recurring colours, fonts and layout.

A media product that combines conventions from two or more genres.

The combination of features from different genres within a media product.

A theory proposing that media messages directly affect a passive audience, with little resistance or variation in response.

A recognisable cultural or social representation with lasting significance or influence.

A system of ideas, values and beliefs, including beliefs about what is right, desirable or normal.

The alteration of an image, for example through cropping, retouching or changing its colours, which can affect its meaning.

A story suggested rather than fully shown, which the audience helps construct from available clues.

An optional purchase of digital goods or services made within an app using real money.

A media business that is not owned or controlled by a larger parent organisation.

A film made outside the control of the major film studios, often through smaller production companies and partnerships.

A record company that is not owned by one of the major music companies. An independent label can still operate commercially and release highly successful music.

Media organisations operating outside the ownership or control of a larger parent organisation. Independence does not necessarily mean being not-for-profit.

Communication within the story world which the audience observes or overhears, rather than being addressed directly.

Legally protected creative material or branding which can be used commercially, including through authorised adaptations and licensing.

A production made jointly by companies from more than one country, sharing resources, funding or expertise.

A company that provides access to the internet, rather than necessarily creating or hosting the content people access.

A relationship or reference between media products that influences meaning through an audience’s knowledge of another product.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation: an industry-funded regulator that handles complaints about participating newspapers and magazines under the Editors’ Code of Practice.

A reasoned assessment supported by relevant evidence, rather than an unsupported personal opinion.

The geographical or legal area within which an authority has power to apply and enforce rules.

The placing of elements beside one another so that their relationship contributes to meaning.

The arrangement and positioning of elements within a media product.

A payment collected from television licence holders which provides public funding for the BBC.