Global Media: Communication Around the World Chapter 15

Journalists imprisoned for trying to report international news Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian imprisoned in Iran for more than 500 days starting in 2014. As of 2016, China held 49 journalists in prison; Egypt held 23, Iran 19. Imprisonment of journalists keeps news outlets from covering offending countries.

Media Ideals Around the World Four Theories of the Press, first published in 1956 Reaction to Cold War world Theories Authoritarian Communist Libertarian Social responsibility

Authoritarian Theory Roots in royal control of society where aristocracy derived its authority to rule from God. The role of the press is to be a servant of the government, not a servant of the citizenry. Controls press through regulation, intimidation, and force

Communist Theory Product of Cold War Soviet Union Media are an instrument of the Communist Party; independent press is undesirable and should be suppressed. Media should be closely tied to government power. Media’s main purpose is to act as a tool for government propaganda.

Libertarian Theory The only way to arrive at the truth is for ideas to be freely and openly discussed. Different people will have different opinions, and everyone must be allowed to develop his or her own. The most rational ideas will be the most accepted. The theory assumes that government is greatest threat to free press, not corporate interests.

Social Responsibility Theory Press must provide the following social functions: Provide information needed for political system Give public information needed for self-governance Serve as a government watchdog Bring together buyers and sellers Provide entertainment Be profitable enough to avoid outside pressures

Social Responsibility Theory Essentially advocates non-authoritarian media controls Response to Hutchins Commission report of the late 1940s

Norms for the Press in the Twenty-First Century Additional norms for the press in twenty-first century Developing nations may need to implement press controls in order to promote industry, national identity, and partnerships with neighboring nations Do these controls differ from authoritarian controls?

The Internet in the Twenty-First Century The unique nature of the Internet, especially in a global context, poses new moral dilemmas concerning national boundaries, corporate control, freedom of the press, and the rights of individuals.

Going Global: Media Standards Around the World Five Dimensions of Media Control Who controls the media system? Finance How do broadcasters pay the bills? Programming goals What are the media trying to accomplish with their programming? Target audience For whom are the media producing and distributing content? Feedback mechanism How do media organizations hear back from their audience.

Canada, Western Europe, and Great Britain Canadian Media Relatively free press Rules to protect Canadian content Many U.S. media companies produce content in Canada because of lower costs.

Canada, Western Europe, and Great Britain Western Europe and Britain Growing availability of cable/satellite television Broadcast networks heavily regulated with strong public service component Newspapers take a more obvious partisan political point of view than do U.S. newspapers.

Canada, Western Europe, and Great Britain Charlie Hebdo, the Danish Cartoons, and Terrorism 2005: Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten publishes 12 cartoons portraying the prophet Muhammad. 2006: Cartoons are reprinted, leading to rioting in Middle East and dozens of deaths. French magazine Charlie Hebdo has long history of publishing cartoons offensive to virtually every religion, including Islam. 2015: Terrorists attack Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, killing 12 journalists/cartoonists. Hard decision for news outlets on reprinting any of these cartoons. Many from CH too offensive to publish.

Central and Latin America Television dominated by North American, Mexican, and Brazilian programming Popular telenovelas exported to United States Since 1990s, governments more stable, have freer press Growing newspaper circulation

Islamic Countries and the Middle East Elements of Social Responsibility and Authoritarian theories Many of these countries are dangerous for journalists. Television heavily regulated Most popular programming comes from ARABSAT. Importance of “small” and social media Alternative media such as faxes, photocopies, home video, blogs, and social media Mobile devices far more important than computers for online access Internet most important single medium

Islamic Countries and the Middle East Al Jazeera Arab-language satellite news channel that originates in Qatar Popular in Arab world; controversial in West Audience of 40 million viewers dwarfs CNN or Fox Presents a broad Arab version of news rather than that of a single country

Africa Wide range of press controls Newspapers created to serve needs of white colonials; published primarily in English and French Radio is the most important medium. Television not a major medium No dominant language Global popularity of South African pop music

Russia and the Former Soviet Republics No tradition of free press Media generally viewed as propaganda outlet for people in power High levels of self-censorship Government controls television and radio. Media owned privately but closely connected to the government

Asia India Very large media market World’s second largest newspaper readership All India Radio is dominant radio service. Television going through period of growth, increasing freedoms; engage in self-censorship to prevent government controls Mumbai terror attacks highlighted importance of mobile social media.

Asia China Rapidly changing media environment World’s largest newspaper market Talk radio popular, relatively free Levels of free speech vary over time and political regimes Internet closely monitored The Great Firewall

Asia Japan Large manufacturer of media technology and innovations Broadcasting is a mix of commercial and public service. Popularity of manga comic books

Media Transformations: Are We Really Living in a Media World? Marshall McLuhan wrote about the global village in 1962’s The Gutenberg Galaxy. Looked at how electronic media help people interact globally Electronic media do bridge distances. Are we really residents of a global village or just sightseers?