Chapter 14: Global Media in the Digital Age

Question 1

What are the four theories of international mass communication?

Answer 1

1. Authoritarian theory
2. Libertarian theory
3. Social responsibility theory
4. Soviet theory

Question 2

What is authoritarian theory>

Answer 2

A theory of international mass communication that holds that authoritarian governments exert direct control over the media

Question 3

What is libertarian theory?

Answer 3

Also called the free press theory, it is a theory of international mass communication that supports the individuals rights to publish whatever she or he wants, even material critical of the government or of government officials

Question 4

What is the social responsibility theory?

Answer 4

A theory of international mass communication that perhaps best describes the media’s role in democratic societies. It asserts that the media are vital to informing citizens in a democratic society and, as such, should be free from most government constraints in order to provide the best, most reliable, and impartial information to the public.

Question 5

What is the soviet theory?

Answer 5

A theory of international mass communication that states that the media should be publicly owned and used to further the needs of the working class

Question 6

What is the bourgeoisie?

Answer 6

“Middle class”

Question 7

What is the public sphere?

Answer 7

An idealized conversational “space” in which people discuss and debate mutual interests and societal issues

Question 8

What is public opinion?

Answer 8

The notion that the public, as a group, can form shared views or ideas about topics and that these ideas guide the public’s actions