Curran And Seaton

Question 1

Summarise all of the key ideas of Curran and Seaton

Answer 1

Curran and Seaton suggests that media industries are dominated by a small number of conglomerates that tend to be profit and power oriented.
Concentrated ownership results in a lack of choice, diversity, opinion and creativity. Independent diverse ownership results in more choice and diversity of products. The internets ability to allow diverse voices to be heard is limited.

Question 2

Concept 1 Curran and Seaton

Answer 2

Media industries are dominated by a small number of conglomerates. Thus patterns of ownership and control are the most significant factors in how the media operates.

Question 3

Concept 2 Curran and Seaton

Answer 3

The media industry/companies are profit driven and power oriented, usually engaging in practices to maximise profit and minimise risk.

Question 4

Concept 3 Curran and Seaton

Answer 4

Concentrated ownership results in a lack of choice, diversity of voices and ideas. Free market competition produces format driven content. (Remakes)

Question 5

Concept 4 Curran and Seaton

Answer 5

Independent diverse ownership results in more choice,diverse and creative products.

Question 6

Concept 5 Curran and Seaton

Answer 6

The internet does not offer a level playing field. The natural advantages of conglomerates mean that they could affect a sizeable web presence quickly. The web has turned into a place of commerce rather than a place to share and discuss.

Question 7

Questions to consider

Answer 7

Do any of the companies we have learnt about …

1. Profit/ power driven or challenge this?
2. Does independent diverse ownership always result in more choice/diversity?
3. Are certain ideas being projected to the masses which are a result of concentrated ownsership?
4. Does the internet offer independent creators freedom/ or is the affect of internet limited?

Question 8

What theorists would challenge Curran and Seaton?

Answer 8

Steven Neale:
- would argue audiences prompt producers to continually adapt genre driven material rather than create formula driven products.