MITOLOGIA CZWARTEJ WŁADZY STEVENA A. SPIELBERGA
MYTHOLOGY OF THE POST OF STEVEN A. SPIELBERG

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the article is the presentation of the basic political ideas contained in S. Spielberg’s movie The Post. Moreover, the specific aim is to present the mythological message of the film and to list the elements that construct it. Another specific goal is to present the ways to reach a mass audience with an ideological message. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Which ideas of the fourth power are exposed in the movie addressed to the mass audience in the US? What are the arguments supporting these ideas? When did the fourth estate in the American system weaken, and why? The analysis uses the mythological concept of R. Barthes and the structural method developed by him (myth analysis). THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The introductory considerations concern the concept of the fourth estate and political myth, then the core of the article discusses the message of the film and indicates the basic problems discussed. RESEARCH RESULTS: S. Spielberg, in the movie addressed to a mass audience, presented the moment of shaping the idea of the fourth estate, in the historical sense it is the war in Vietnam, in the political sense (Pentagon Papers) a conflict between freedom of speech and state security. The fourth power is a political idea, the aim of which is to control the actions of an authority and to defend the domain of the press, its right to form opinions and freedom of speech. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The conclusions of the article are addressed to political science researchers, journalists and politicians. The article shows how the control functions of the executive and legislative power are weakened, and also diagnoses how to repair a malfunctioning political system. In addition, a new source of political analysis, a mass movie, was identified.

• Details
• Contents