Industry Theorists Flashcards
How many industry theorists are there?
3
What is Hesmondhalgh’s theory?
Cultural Industries Theory
Industrialisation of the media industry has made it easier for producers/conglomerates to maximise profits and reduce costs at the same time.
In order to make a profit, conglomerates minimise risks by becoming vertically integrated (owning production, distribution and exhibition companies), sticking to familiar formats, genres, recognised actors and narratives.
What is Curran and Seaton’s theory?
Power and Industries Theory
The media industry is dominated by a small number of giant conglomerates who are driven primarily by profit and power.
These conglomerates buy smaller companies through horizontal or vertical integration which increases their profit and power over the consumers who have no choice but to support these conglomerates, as their products are a majority of what is available.
This means that there is a lack of diversity within the media products, mainly because the owners of the conglomerates are members of the hegemonic group of white, upper class, rich men who have very close-minded negative views on anyone who is different to themselves.
Independent ownership is valued because once profit and power are no longer considered the most important goals, this allows more risks to be taken meaning more diversity and more creativity in the media being produced.
What is Livingstone and Lunt’s theory?
Regulation Theory
The media industry requires high levels of regulation in order to ensure that all audiences are protected from harm, but regulation is becoming increasingly difficult due to the developments of the Internet.
So much content (10 years worth per day on Youtube) is being published faster than it can be reviewed and it is very easy for young people to bypass age certificates with the click of a button.
Furthermore, giant conglomerates can easily avoid regulation because they either regulate themselves (previously BBC) which leads to a bias in what they believe should be allowed, or because the power they possess is so significant that they can get away with certain behaviours (News of the World phone hacking scandal) because they are seen as “untouchable” and other companies are scared to call them out.
