Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person

 Cultural Studies, Media, Power, and the Truly Educated Person

This blog has been written as a response to a thinking activity given by Dr. Dilip Barad. It focuses on analyzing the topic from a critical perspective and presents my own interpretations and reflections.

For further information, you can visit the teacher’s blog through the provided link. Click Here 

Introduction to Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies is a multidisciplinary area of research that explores how culture influences identity, power dynamics, and social organization. Emerging in the mid-20th century, it draws insights from sociology, anthropology, literature, and media studies. The discipline examines topics such as popular culture, race, class, gender, and globalization, seeking to understand how meanings are produced and how they shape everyday experiences.

It critically investigates how elements like language, literature, media, and social practices either maintain or question dominant ideologies. Through this lens, Cultural Studies reveals the connections between culture, politics, economics, and societal norms, uncovering the underlying systems of power and inequality.

Cultural studies emerged as a reaction against two main schools of thought at the time: liberal humanism, which emphasized individual human values, and orthodox Marxism, which focused mainly on class struggles. The shift from studying just literature to studying culture as a whole was sparked by thinkers like Matthew Arnold, who wrote "Culture and Anarchy", discussing how culture shapes society. Later, pioneers like Richard Hoggart and Raymond Williams in 1950s Britain expanded these ideas. They helped establish the Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, which played a big role in challenging the traditional focus on elite culture, which was valued as "Art for Life's Sake" by figures like Arnold. Instead, cultural studies began to look at everyday culture and how it shapes the experiences of ordinary people. 

Media and Power: Understanding Their Relationship in Contemporary Society

In the video, Eric Liu uses animation to explain different types of power and how power operates in society. He identifies six main forms of power.

One of these types is closely linked to government and bureaucracy. Through the use of physical force, authorities can influence what people choose to believe or reject. For example, the protests by teachers over TET-TAT recruitment — and the subsequent police response involving violence and arrests — illustrate this kind of power. I came across this information through media reports.

Another form of power is wealth, which exists in nearly every nation regardless of its status or development. Economic power not only dominates through production and ownership but also exerts influence over laws, policies, and governance.

The state, through its constitution, rules, and policies, plays a major role in directing social behavior. It determines what people can or cannot do. For instance, when the government encourages startup culture, it shapes the public mindset toward entrepreneurship, focusing on business opportunities, profit, and loss.

Social norms serve as another means of exercising and regulating power. They shape how festivals are celebrated, how people behave in public, and how topics such as religion, caste, politics, and economics are discussed and understood within society.

Ideas are closely tied to knowledge, and as Michel Foucault explains, power and knowledge together create social discourses. Over time, certain notions—such as “Brahmins as the intellect of society,” “whites as superior,” or “men as more rational”—have been produced, circulated, and accepted as truths within specific contexts.

This concept is quite self-explanatory, especially in the context of a democracy, where the majority holds the power to shape opinions, beliefs, and collective perceptions.

The Role of Media Studies in the Modern Digital Era

Cultural Studies aims to break down the divide between high culture and popular culture, while also merging insights from disciplines like literature, sociology, media studies, and anthropology. This interdisciplinary method invites the analysis of diverse cultural expressions—from popular music and daily life practices to classical art and media representations. Yet, the vastness of this field can sometimes pose challenges for both educators and learners as they attempt to relate cultural products, such as songs or television programs, to larger social and ideological frameworks. Within this framework, the term “discourse” describes the ways in which cultural forms—such as films, literature, or social traditions—connect with power structures, dominant ideologies, and established societal values.

Noam Chomsky argues that true education involves the ability to inquire and create independently, without external controls. He cites the views of the founder of the modern higher education system, William von Humboldt, who emphasized the importance of this ability for a fulfilled human being.

"It’s not important what we cover in the class; it’s important what you discover."

Noam Chomsky emphasizes the importance of self-education and personal growth in achieving genuine human fulfillment. He points out that discovery, whether cultural, intellectual, or creative, requires self-reflection and effective use of resources. This means developing the ability to ask thoughtful questions, explore new ideas, and create inquiries that reflect one’s own curiosity and insights. 

For example, students may explore how social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram influence public perception and drive political movements like the Arab Spring or the #BlackLivesMatter campaign. These digital spaces provide people with opportunities to voice their opinions, question dominant narratives, and contribute to a more inclusive exchange of ideas.

Encouraging independent and critical thinking is essential—students should be able to question established beliefs and remain open to diverse viewpoints. Genuine education goes beyond simply acquiring information; it involves knowing where to seek knowledge, how to evaluate it critically, and how to challenge hidden assumptions.

A truly educated person connects concepts across disciplines, applying insights from one field to question or enrich another. For instance, a student of environmental science might analyze literary depictions of climate change to gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues. Through self-directed learning, individuals take ownership of their intellectual development, fostering a society that is both more informed and more critically engaged.

Cultural Practices: Media representation and marginalized groups

Identity is formed through the roles individuals take on within society, deeply influencing how they perceive themselves. Rather than being fixed, identity continuously evolves through lived experiences, with representation playing a central role in shaping it. How we define ourselves depends largely on our position within social interactions and the surrounding cultural discourse. Cultural Studies focuses on uncovering who holds power in society and how that power determines the extent of individual freedom. Institutions such as governments, corporations, and social norms often dictate the boundaries of what people can say or do.

Frequently, elite groups and political authorities establish laws and ideologies that influence not only our rights but also our ways of thinking. For instance, certain restrictions on freedom of speech can limit genuine self-expression. While we may believe we live freely, it’s essential to question the authenticity of that freedom. As Noam Chomsky observes, society is often divided between a small political elite—who control information through propaganda—and the general public, who tend to accept these narratives without critical examination, resulting in widespread misinformation and confusion.

The media plays a powerful role in shaping public perception and responses to social and political events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, news coverage heavily influenced how people understood the virus and followed safety measures. Conversely, positive media portrayals can empower marginalized groups. Films like Black Panther celebrated Black identity and challenged racial stereotypes, while the Netflix series Sex Education promoted acceptance of diverse sexual orientations. However, media can also distort information to protect dominant interests, often silencing minority voices.

Ultimately, it is crucial to analyze media critically and remain aware of the power structures that shape both representation and identity. Doing so allows us to gain a deeper understanding of who we are and how we fit into the broader social framework.

Critical Media Consumption:

Looking at my media consumption habits, I realize how much media shapes my worldview and daily choices. News outlets, social media, and entertainment influence my views on politics, culture, and social justice. For instance, portrayals of certain communities can either reinforce stereotypes or promote empathy.

Taking a critical approach to media is essential for becoming a well-rounded person. By questioning sources, spotting biases, and considering different perspectives, I can better understand media narratives. Following credible voices like Dhruv Rathee, who highlight social issues and provide balanced analysis, helps shape my understanding too.

Ultimately, being thoughtful about the media I engage with enables me to make informed decisions, stay open-minded, and grasp the complexities of the world. This process enhances my knowledge and empowers me to participate more actively in important conversations.

References : 

Barad, Dilip. “Cultural Studies: Media, Power and Truly Educated Person.” https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2017/03/cultural-studies-media-power-and-truly.html?authuser=0. Accessed 25 10 2025.

Jones, Josh. “An Animated Introduction to Noam Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent and How the Media Creates the Illusion of Democracy.” Open Culture, 13 March 2017, https://www.openculture.com/2017/03/an-animated-introduction-to-noam-chomskys-manufacturing-consent.html. Accessed 25 October 2025.