Control of New Media Flashcards
what are the five main theories on who owns the new media
-corporations
-government
-marxists
-neo marxists
-pluralists
give two examples of legal controls of the media
Equality Act 2010 forbids expression of opinions that encourage hatred or describe nation based on ethnic group or religious beliefs
Obscene Publications Act 1959 forbids publication of anything obscene and indecent
describe 5 ways the government controls and influences media output
-press conferences with journalists
-leaks and off the record briefings
-refusing to issue broadcasting licenses
-refusal to use some forms of computer software and blocking access (China and Google)
-electronic surveillance and monitoring of website
what is the marxist view on the control of the the media
-bourgeoisie own and control new media and use it to spread dominant ideology to maintain and justify their power over w/c and create FCC
what are the criticisms of the marxist view (3)
-neo marxists point out that the bourgeois don’t have time to micro manage media content
-pluralists argue that the media is just meeting public demand for profit
-too deterministic assumes ppl are passive puppets
what is the neo marxist perspective
-media promotes hegemonic dominant ideology bc many ppl with media jobs are from upper class privileged backgrounds so have the same values as higher up executives
give evidence that supports the neo marxist perspective (2)
-the Glasgow University Media Group found in the 70s the majority of journalists were white m/c men
-51% of journalists in Britain were privately educated
give a marxist criticism of the neo marxist perspective with an example
-marxists would argue that owners of the new media force their agenda onto the audience
-eg Daily Express journalists cheer on striking minors despite regularly printing articles attacking miners union leaders
what is a pluralist criticism of the neo marxist perspective
-Whale ; views of new media are a result of public demand and profit
-there is a diverse array of media companies that offer alternative views to the popular media outlets however they remain the most popular for a reason
give a general critics of the neo marxist perspective
-very hard to prove people are indoctrinated rather than simply agreeing with the message
what is the pluralist perspective on ownership of the new media
-mass media reflects public wants and companies must meet public demand to stay in business
-audiences are free to choose what media to consume therefore popular media is popular for a reason
-companies too busy with economic issues to push political agenda
-power of media owners is restricted by gov control
give criticisms of the pluralist perspective (6)
-media owners appoint /promote editors who agree with their views/values which inherently pushes political agenda
-owners push constraints onto editors and journalists for profit
-journalists often go to groups that are not marginalised for sources
-only rich groups have resources launch media companies
-serious journalism limited by media choice as quality declines in favour of infotainment
-ppl have been socialised into believing that media provides them what they want but the media created their tastes
