News - (print) Media Industries

Question 1

Who owns the production of news?

Answer 1

Journalists, editors and printers

Question 2

Who has control over distribution?

Answer 2

Owners and editors

Question 3

Who controls news content?

Answer 3

Editors

Question 4

How does the normal capitalist pattern of distribution fit with newspapers? (Hesmondhalgh)

Answer 4

There is increasing concentration and integration. Cultural production is owned and controlled by a few conglomerates.

Question 5

Why is news so risky?

Answer 5

Because it’s shelf life is so short especially with the 24/7 news cycle

Question 6

What do newspapers have to rely on to sell newspapers to minimise risk?

Answer 6

Formats such as gossip, lifestyle journalism, opinion sections and sports journalism to minimise risk

Question 7

What drives journalism (especially for The Daily Mail)?

Answer 7

Profit motive

Question 8

Advertising revenue has declined due to the decline of print and online news. Why does this impact journalism?

Answer 8

Led to a decline in expensive journalism such as international news and investigative reporting and rise in cheap journalism such as gossip and celebrities

Question 9

Why has there been a narrowing of a range of opinions in newspapers? (73% of our newspapers are owned by 2 men!)

Answer 9

Increased concentration in fewer hands, so a narrower range of opinions and a pursuit of profit over quality or creativity

Question 10

Why are newspapers different to other industries in terms of profit?

Answer 10

They don’t usually make a profit but they are a means of gaining political and social control

Question 11

Who owns The Daily Mail? (Proprietor ownership)

Answer 11

Viscount Rothermere (jonatan harsmsworth) and the DMGT

Question 12

Who owns The Guardian?

Answer 12

The GMG and the Scott Trust

Question 13

Why is media plurality a live political issue?

Answer 13

Because there is such limited competition and narrow voices 7 companies run all the print industry in the UK

Question 14

What ranking of free press in the world do we have?

Answer 14

24 (2022)

Question 15

Why is press freedom important?

Answer 15

Limits the control and power of the owners but is vital for democracy

Question 16

Are newspapers allowed to be politically bias?

Answer 16

Yes but should not just represent the views of their owners (eg Brexit and The Daily Mail)

Question 17

Why should owners not have much control or interference?

Answer 17

It would destroy the credibility of the newspaper, would be resisted by the editor and cannot look like an organ of propaganda

Question 18

Why is the Scott Trust important?

Answer 18

It protects editorial independence, safeguards journalistic freedoms and the newspaper’s liberal values

Question 19

Why is the Leveson Inquiry important?

Answer 19

It tried to limit the close relationship of politicians and journalists as seen through the meetings politicians had with Murdoch before elections

Question 20

Give one example of indirect power the owner yields.

Answer 20

By appointing the editor who will, in turn, decide the political stance of a paper

Question 21

Traditionally, how did newspapers gain revenue?

Answer 21

Tabloids - price of paper (large audience but less wealthy so not attractive to advertisers)

Quality - advertisers (smaller audiences but wealthy so lots of advertisers)

Question 22

What is a media baron?

Answer 22

Wealthy individuals or proprietors who own the paper or a group of papers

Question 23

When was the major turning point in the print industry?

Answer 23

2004 and the introduction of Web 2.0

Question 24

Why is moving online beneficial?

Answer 24

Production - reduced environmental costs

Distribution- reduced cost of getting papers out plus globalisation

Circulation - increases circulation through apps and social media plus allows interaction

Question 25

What does the use of news values tell us?

Answer 25

That news is socially constructed- editors choose what news to report on and how. (Can you name 10 news values??)

Question 26

Why is IPSO important?

Answer 26

1. It holds newspapers to account
2. protects rights of individuals
3. upholds standards of journalism
4. maintains freedom of expression for the press

Question 27

What news values will The Daily Mail prioritise?

Answer 27

Negativity, threshold, personalisation, elite people/nations

Question 28

Who regulates The Daily Mail?

Answer 28

IPSO

Question 29

How could you describe The DMs style of reporting?

Answer 29

Using hyperbole, sensationalism and personalisation

Question 30

Who is The Guardian’s current editor?

Answer 30

Katherine Viner

Question 31

Who regulates The Guardian?

Answer 31

It is self regulating

Question 32

What are The Daily Mail’s views influenced by?

Answer 32

Conservative values of law, government, family, religion and education. Traditional and patriotic