Normative Theories of Mass Media How much censorship?

The movement of professionalism in the media was aiming to make media more responsible and credible. Normative Theory studies the ideal way of operation of media, media management, moral and ethical responsibilities of media, being responsible journalists. Normative theories have a distinct place among media theories since they are dealing with how media should be rather than how the media is.should media distribute any kind of content to get maximum profit in a minimum time? Should media provide some public services without making any material profit? Should media be involved in solving social problems? Should media protect audiences from bad effects of business and bureaucracy? What should be media doing in case of any crisis?

Social Responsibility theory Radical liberitarianism is against any regulation on media operation Media should be literally free to do anything. There are two extreme groups: First amendment absolutists (no law means no law) and advocates of technocratic control. People who believe media should be control couldn’t reach any agreement who should be in charge. Media practitioners point out the problem of controlling media for control people’s interests. Libertarianism theory sees audiences wise enough to differ good from bad.Libertarianism appeared against authoritarian theories leaves media under the control of governmental elite bur unlike totalitarian theories it doesn’t give priority to homogenizing the national ideas jus control of some elites. Celebrating human reason and conscious liberitarianism argued that unrestricted public debate prevents the society from arbitrary social orders.

Libertarianism John : Milton in 1644 stated that a fair debate or argument always win out over lies which we call today self righting principle. But followers of this idea was too naïve in the long process of forming a right decision. By following Milton T. Jefferson declared that he would prefer a press without a government rather than government without a press. Freedom of speech, press and assembly are in the Bill of Rights in the State’s constitution. These how important there are covered by the most important regulations, constitution. As new media appeared such as internet freedom the regulations of media has been debated. The first reason of limitations in communication is that there is a conflict of rights among people and groups and both parts media professionals and audiences. Why these all happened in the states because yellow journalism, depression and injustice public confidence and respect for media had been shaken.

Marketplace of Ideas The idea is originated by Adam Smith advocating that there is no need for the government to regulates markets. The same idea is implemented to the media: Media should be regarded as a self regulating marketplace of ideas: Ideas should be put in front of public an public will choose the best among them according to laissez-faire. Ideas are freely traded among people. Someone could come up with a good idea transmit it through media. If people like it they buy and it turns into profit or if they do not the person will loose. The idea is here the people are wise enough to choose the best and useful messages will become profits. Truth should win in the marketplace, self-righting principle should apply to mass media content as well as to public debate.

Philip Napoli, media policy researcher, defined two interpretations about marketplace ideas: -economic theory based interpretations: emphasize efficiency, consumer satisfaction and competition. -Democratic theory based interpretations : emphasize citizen knowledge, informed decision making, effective self government. The former one is against government regulation while the last one is for the regulations.