Representation- information

Representation- process by which the media presents the "real world" to an audience. Media texts are artificial, constructed versions of reality 
Even factual media- such as news- goes through the processes of selection, organisation and editing that shapes its content

Mediation

Media texts are a construction of reality and play an important role in the way we view the world.
Reality is therefore a subject to mediation which is the process that takes place when a media text's meaning is created
When mediation takes place, an institution, individual or even technology comes between actual event and the audience

Stereotypes

A stereotype is a standardised, usually oversimplified mental picture or attitude towards a person group, place or event. They act like codes that give audiences a quick common understanding of a person or group of people usually relating to gender, cast, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social role, or occupation
Media messages have to be communicated quickly which often means relying on stereotypes. stereotypes work as a kind of shorthand where a word, image or sound will stand for a lot more.

Representation: dominant or alternative?

A media representation will either reinforce or challenge the stereotype. if it reinforces the stereotype, its a dominant representation. if it challenges stereotype its an alternative representation