AQA GCSE Media Studies key terms

A character controlled by the game's programming rather than directly by a player.

A way of communicating meaning without words, such as an image, gesture or facial expression.

An affectionate longing for the past, which media products can create through familiar images, styles and sounds.

A media organisation whose main purpose is not to distribute profit to owners. Any surplus can be reinvested in its work.

An organisation that uses any surplus to support its purposes rather than distributing it as profit to owners.

A non-player character controlled by the game rather than directly by a player.

The Office of Communications: the UK regulator responsible for areas including television and radio broadcasting.

Content available when the audience chooses to access it, rather than only at its original broadcast time.

Access to programmes at a time chosen by the viewer rather than only at their scheduled broadcast time.

A situation in which a person's identity is not known to others, for example when someone posts online without revealing their real name.

A UK law that places safety duties on online services, including duties to address illegal content and protect children from harmful content.

A person whose interpretations and views influence other members of a particular group.

An audience interpretation that recognises but rejects a product’s intended meaning.

A business model in which users pay an initial price for an app or game and can also make purchases within it.

The vocal features that accompany speech, such as tone, pitch, volume and pace, rather than the words themselves.

Bias in favour of a particular group, individual or argument rather than an impartial treatment.

An audience assumed to receive and accept media messages with little critical interpretation or resistance.

A social system in which men hold dominant positions of power and authority.

A restriction requiring users to pay before accessing some or all of a website’s content.

Pan European Game Information: a system that classifies video games by age suitability and provides information about their content and interactive risks.

A music video centred on an artist or band performing the song, rather than primarily telling a separate story.

A recognisable public identity built around a person through recurring images, messages and values.

The audience need to explore, affirm or develop a sense of who they are through media.

The people involved in making or promoting a media product, including performers, directors, writers and producers.

Radio broadcasting without the required authorisation or licence.

A company or service that hosts media content created by others; YouTube is an example.

A tendency to favour a political party, position or viewpoint through the selection and presentation of information.