The gatekeeping theory
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The gatekeeping theory was originally proposed by psychologist Kurt Lewin to describe the decision-making process involved with food selection and consumption, with the housewife acting as the gatekeeper. Within media industries, gatekeepers are typically producers who ensure any media product accurately portrays the intended message to the target audience before distribution. As the assigned gatekeeper for a group media project, the author will have final approval over any changes made before public distribution.
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The gatekeeping theory
- 2. The gatekeeping theory was introduced by a psychologist called Kurt Lewin. He based his theory upon the processing of food. He said that before an item of food is sold, there have to be many various decision making processes that have to be taken by the gatekeeper before the products are consumed. His example was that of a housewife. He said that she has the job to take control of what is made for food and that various food related decisions are taken by the woman of the household so she is the gatekeeper of food essentially.
- 3. HOW IS THIS THEORY USED WITHIN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY? The media industry has gatekeepers in a different context. Gatekeepers are usually the producers and they have the important job of making sure that every aspect of the production that has been created is relevant and that the product portrays the message that the creators wanted to give out to the target audience. If the gatekeeper feels that this is not the case they have the power at the last stage to make any drastic changes that they feel may impact the relay of the chosen message. I will be the gatekeeper within my group and this will mean I will have the power at the end of production to make any changes before distribution.