MEDIA
THEORY Ultimate guide to revision
101
MEDIA INDUSTRY
CURRAN & SEATON
Ownership and Control
Press Baron | Censorship | Ownership | Control | Capitalist | Concentration | Power | Illusion | Oligarchy
CURRAN & SEATON Power
Key Ideas
o Understanding politics of ownership and control are the most significant factors in how media industries operate. o Media industries follow a capitalist pattern; increasing concentration of ownership in fewer hands. o Capitalist structure narrows range of representations and opinions and puts profit before creativity. o The assumption that anyone can publish is an illusion; especially online. o The belief that more socially diverse patterns of ownership help to create the conditions for more varied and adventurous media products.
CURRAN & SEATON Power
Applications
Draws attention to the narrow range of political opinions represented in mainstream media. Draws attention to media moguls, for example; long history press barons, or global dominance of companies like Google and Netflix. Draws attention to the purpose of production and the messages driven by profit. Provides alternative to neophiliac view that the internet is diverse and positive for society.
CURRAN & SEATON Power
Limitations
A focus on ownership detracts from how ideology and media language conventions restrict and determine the construction of a media product. Focus on producer control ignores the power of audience choice and its role construction and distribution of media products.
LIVINGSTONE & LUNT
Regulation
ASA | PCC | IPSO | OfCom | BBFC | VSC | Public Interest | PSB | Globalisation | Media Literacy
LIVINGSTONE & LUNT Regulation
Key Ideas
o Academic argument comes from conducting case studies into the work of Ofcom. o Audiences are consumers who have wants, needs, are social and seek private benefits of using the media and therefore require regulation. o Regulation is offering protection from harmful material whilst ensuring choice, value for money and market competition. o Traditional forms of regulation is at risk due to globalisation, digital media and convergence.
2014 gov. report stated that further formal regulation of internet content might impinge on ‘the free flow of ideas and expression that lies at the heart of the development of the internet’
LIVINGSTONE & LUNT Regulation
Applications
Can be applied to broadcast (and some print) forms of media. Draws attention to distribution and scheduling of TV, primarily in the UK, in the interests of protecting the public. Draws attention to the challenge to TV producers and distributors, caused by globalisation. Draws attention to the way streaming services treats audiences as consumers and enables ‘self-regulation’. Understanding of media audience, responses and effects highlight need for regulation.
LIVINGSTONE & LUNT Regulation
Limitations
Study on Ofcom was limited to UK so may not apply globally. Doesn’t apply if ‘press freedom’ is true. Doesn’t apply if the internet enables ‘freedom of expression’.
HESMONDALGH
Cultural Industries
Globalisation | Digitalisation | Conglomerate | Profit | Risk | Commodification | Ambivalent
HESMONDHALGH Cultural Industries
Key Ideas
o Cultural industries (industrial production of creative texts of cultural value) follow capitalist patterns; production is controlled by a few conglomerates (vertically integrated) to reduce ‘risk’. o Risk is high because of unpredictable nature of reception and success. Production is expensive and creative products become ‘public goods’ that can be reproduced. o Therefore cultural industries rely on ‘big hits’; repetition through use of stars, genre, franchises and narratives. However, industries try to impose scarcity through copy right law.
HESMONDHALGH Cultural Industries
Key Ideas
o Digital technology has commercialised leisure time and increased surveillance by government and companies. o Cultural industries thrive in societies that support conditions where large companies and political allies make money; demand for new products, minimal regulation, political and economic stability. o Producers need to challenge ideologies in order to compete.
HESMONDHALGH Cultural Industries
Applications
Draws attention to institution structure and working practice and highlights issues of profitability. Draws attention to the effects of ownership and control on the success of a product. Helps to understand the risk of high budget production and the industrial features used to minimise risk. Draws attention to competition for audiences and advertising revenue. Provides alternative to neophiliac view that the internet is diverse and positive for society. Recognises audience role in ‘creating the right conditions’ for profitability and distribution.
HESMONDHALGH Cultural Industries
Limitations
A focus on ownership detracts from how ideology and media language conventions restrict and determine the construction of a media product. Ignores the positive impact of regulation and censorship.
INDUSTRY Curran & Steaton Hesmondhalgh Livingstone & Lunt
MEDIA
THEORY Ultimate guide to revision
101