Film regulation and the construction of a nation: two theoretical perspectives

This study looks at cultural policy through the analytical lens of two major theories of mass media that are considered of major significance in understanding the reproductive roles of media in nation building and maintenance. Focusing on the Israeli context, it examines the reciprocal relations between the State of Israel during its first decade of independence and its developing cinema industry. It highlights the institutionalised processes through which cinema policies were formulated. The study is grounded on discourse analysis of the minutes of Israeli parliament (Knesset) discussions that preceded enactment of the “1954 Law for Encouragement of Israeli Cinema”. The findings show that the legislative initiative, legislation process and the Law itself reflect the hegemonic “Statist-Zionist” ideology that the ruling elite sought to promulgate and naturalise.