Topic 2: Ownership and control of the media Flashcards
What does Bagdikian 2004 say about concentration of media ownership?
Argues that if USA media was owned by different companies there would be 25,000 owners. By 2014, media ownership in USA concentrated by only 6 cooperations.
Who are considered the big 6 media conglomerates in the USA?
Comcast, Disney, 21st Century Fox/ Newscorp, Time Warner, Viacom and CBS corp
What does Curran (2003) say about the British newspaper industry?
There has been similar concentration of ownership in the British newspaper industry.
1937- 4 men owned national and local newspapers
2015- 7 individuals dominate ownership.
Define Horizontal integration.
When large media companies own various types of media, for example, Newscorp owning newspaper companies, publishing houses and film studios.
Define Vertical intergration.
Where one company owns all stages of media production, for example companies owning film studios and the cinemas where the films are shown.
Define Lateral Expansion/ Diversification.
When media companies branch out into non media companies/new business areas. For example Virgin media selling insurance and train surfaces.
Define Global Conglomeration.
Where media companies operate in the global market, for example Newscorp owning loads of different. types of media companies across. Asia, Europe and North America.
Define Synergy.
Where a media product is sold in several different forms, often as a form of marketing. For example a film will be accompanied with a soundtrack album, toys etc.
What is Technical Convergence.
Where several unrelated technologies are put in one media system. For example having music, films etc on one device.
What is Doyle (2002) suggest about why we study media ownership?
It is important for societies to have a pluralistic media provision. If concentration of media ownership occurs in society there is danger that abuse of power will go unnoticed and democracy will suffer.
What is the pluralist theory?
Modern capitalist society is democratic. All groups are given a media platform to express views on. The mass media is seen as essential and impartial facilitators of this ideal, as most people gain political knowledge from the media.
What do Pluralists say about the audience who consume media?
Readers, viewers and listeners are the real power holders because they exercise consumer sovereignty. If they do not like a media advertised product, they will not buy and the media will go out of business
What do Pluralists say about State Government control of the media?
The power of media owners are restricted by state or government controls. This combination of audience and regulator prevents media owners imposing biased content onto the general public.
What do pluralists say about the economic rationality of the media?
The concentration of media is purely economic as it helps to attract larger audiences. This reduces costs and increases ad revenue.
What do pluralists say about consumer demand?
Consumers hold the power, what they buy more of / like, they will see more of in the media. The media will advertise things that have more chances of attracting consumers.
What do pluralists say about democracy and the media?
The media is an essential source of democracy, as it is the main source of political information that helps the public know who to vote for.
What is PSB?
Public Service Broadcasting, they are media outlets controlled by the state. They aim to be impartial and to cater for everyone. The BBC is an example of a PSB.
What do pluralists think about PSB?
They see PSB as impartial and objective media. They are a counterweight to any bias that might occur in the private sector of media.
What do pluralists think about media professionalism?
Believe journalists have too much integrity to be biased and compromise the media. The media has a strong tradition of investigative journalism which has targeted those in power. Eg. Watergate.
What are some criticisms of pluralist idea’s about media professionalism?
Curran- Owners employ journalists that conform to their views, which makes them biased.
Trowler (2004)- Journalists become biased by forming relationships/attachments with their subject.
What are some criticisms of pluralist idea’s about consumer demand?
Blumler and Gurevitch (1995)- Surveys of general public show they don’t trust journalists, If there is no communication between the two, how does the media know what consumers want?
It’s hard for the public/consumers to know what they want to see if the media is their only source of information.
What are some criticisms of pluralist idea’s about state government control/regulation?
Thornham (2007)- Feminists dismissed by journalists as too extreme. Journalists do not want to express radical views in the media as they fear regulators shutting them down.
Regulators are getting too strict and protective over the media and limiting what opinions consumers get to see.
What are some criticisms of pluralist idea’s about essential parts of democracy.
Powerless groups do not have resources to set up media companies to communicate their points of view. Means Consumers do not have a diversity of opinions to choose from. Some views may be seen as too ‘radical’ or ‘extreme’.
What is the overall Marxist theory?
Capitalists exploit the W/C for their own economic gain. They use Ideological strategies such as ISA and RSA to keep the W/C in check and to excuse inequality.
