Representation Investigation Representation refers to the construction in any medium, mass media of aspects of ‘reality’. This can involve things such as places, people, objects, events, cultural identities and others. Such representations may be in a speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures. It basically shows the audience or viewer what it is, and what people will think of it as. What it represents, for example, The Statue of Liberty would represent and symbolise New York, just like Big Ben would represent London.