"Bad" Ads versus "Blah" Ads

We are interested in exposing hidden truths in media messages, which is why our focus in going to be on "bad" ads--ads that contain negative messages or disempower certain groups of people--versus "blah" ads: ads that use persuasive techniques but don't disempower anyone, therefore leaving us with no hidden truth to expose.

Terms: 

Disempower: make a person (or group of people) less powerful or confident; to make someone feel inferior, less in control of their lives.

What disempowers you as a student? As a son or daughter? As a friend?



Empower: to give power or authority to an individual or group of people.

Media empowers and disempowers individuals (social effects)

Explicitly or implicitly, the mainstream media convey hidden messages of values, power and authority. Often times, certain values or individuals are empowered, while others are disempowered. In media literacy, what or who is absent may be more important than what or who is included.