Uses and Gratification Theory

Today in class we spoke about the use and gratification theory, the theory suggests that people actively choose their media products on their needs.
Blumler & Katz discuss audiences consume the media for different needs and in different ways. The media industry is not the only one to blame, people need the media to fulfil their needs and wants.
Media consumers choose texts that fulfil one or more of these needs:

• To be informed and educated about the world in which they live.
• To identify personally with characters and situations in order to learn more about themselves.
• To be entertained by a range and variety of well constructed texts.
• To use the medias as a talking point for social interaction or discussion.
• To escape from their daily grind into other worlds and situations.