Question 4: Economics and the media

Question 1

Market values and democratic values

Answer 1

Market values and democratic values can be one in the same. A market-based system can promote the medias independence from government.

Question 2

Petrova Study

Answer 2

In the early 19th century, newspapers had great incentive to be partisan, because there patronage system allowed politicians to distribute public jobs, if elected. Party control was very strong because of the absence of the secret ballot and at this time, newspapers were part of the political machine.

Question 3

Ways parties influenced partisan newspapers

Answer 3

• Used party funds to sponsor newspapers – which restricted news content
• Granted access to congressional hearings and party caucuses.
• Strict public service requirements

Question 4

Late in the 19th Century:

Answer 4

• with large population growth, more advertising revenue became available.
• Petrova hypothesized that the areas with higher advertisement rates were more likely to have independent papers rather than partisan papers.

Question 5

Hamilton - changing nature of evening network news

Answer 5

• In the 1980s, broadcast networks began to be traded publically, further promoting the economic drive behind media sources.
  - Soft news – news that primarily deals with commentary, entertainment, arts and lifestyle
  - Deregulation of public service requirements
  - Rise of cable, created more competition

Question 6

What this has caused and what does the future hold?

Answer 6

• Overtime, soft news content has increased while hard news content has decreased
• The future for news is uncertain, but it is likely print news will move completely online because of the cost associated with printing, and the decreasing advertising cost. Though – the Sunday edition may continue.