The British Media

Introduction Most British people have daily exposure to the media in one form or another, whether it be to the TV, radio, or print media such as newspapers or magazines. As with most countries, the media provides the community with news, current affairs, sporting information, and entertainment on a huge scale.

British Newspapers A large proportion of the British population reads newspapers of one type or another, mainly for news and current affairs about various topics, from politics and world events, to local sporting results. The newspapers are profit making businesses, and so most of their revenue is derived from selling advertising, which pays for the production of the newspapers and the collection of the information by reporters.

Broadsheets and Tabloids British newspapers can be divided into two general classifications: Broadsheets and Tabloids. Broadsheet newspapers are larger in size than tabloids, and usually contain different sorts of stories. Broadsheets are more oriented towards well- educated people, and tend to contain articles more concerned with in-depth issues of politics and culture.

Broadsheets and Tabloids Because they are very concerned with politics, broadsheet newspapers often exhibit a preference for one side of politics or the other, supporting either the conservative or labour party. Often this means that people will choose to read a certain paper because it agrees with their political beliefs.

Broadsheets and Tabloids Tabloid newspapers, on the other hand, are more concerned with publishing stories of a sensational and/or attention grabbing type. Typical subject matter for the tabloids is gossip and scandal among famous people, such as sporting and TV or movie stars, or politicians, and especially stories about the royal family. Tabloid newspapers are more concerned with entertainment than informing people, and resort to tactics such as publishing photos of pretty girls not wearing many clothes

The Broadcast Media The broadcast media includes radio and television programming, although television is by far the more popular form. With so many people in the UK watching television regularly, TV has a lot of influence on the everyday lives of UK citizens. Everyone wanting to watch TV in the UK has to pay for a TV license.

The Broadcast Media The money which the Government collects from the TV licenses is used to provide funding for the BBC, or British Broadcasting Corporation. The BBC is a government owned and run service which produces and broadcasts TV and radio programs, and also publishes online content such as news and current affairs, in many different languages and different parts of the world.

Importance of the Media in a Democracy The freedom of the media to publish information without excessive government intervention is a very important concept for democratic countries, and the UK is no exception. Democracy is based on the idea that citizens are in effect ruling themselves, that by voting for representation in government, every citizen has a say in the running of the government.

Media and Democracy In order for the citizens of a democracy to make informed decisions about their own government, they need to have access to all of the relevant information. If relevant information is restricted through government control or censorship, the citizens cannot make reasonable decisions about their government, and so the the country becomes less democratic.

Media and Democracy The free flow of information and ideas is a means to give the citizens of a democracy access to information needed to make decisions about government. Freedom of the media is an extension of the more basic concept of freedom of expression, or, as it is more usually called, freedom of speech. The free flow of information and ideas means that different viewpoints can be considered.

Media and Democracy One of the UK’s most famous poets, John Milton, was also outspoken on the subject of freedom of expression, during a time when democracy in the UK was still being developed. He argued that in order to find the truth of any matter, the widest range of ideas and knowledge needed to be investigated.

Media and Democracy Milton’s work “Areopagitica”, in which he explains his beliefs in freedom of expression, was written in response to a government decision to require a license for any printed publication. He believed that the freedom to print publications without this type government control or censorship was essential, and though religion was central to his arguments, they are still considered relevant today.

Limitations to media freedom Although UK is considered to have a free media, this does not mean that the media can publish whatever it wants. In cases of national security, it may be illegal to publish information such as military secrets. Publishers of information which is considered to be a deliberate attempt to damage someone’s reputation may be sued. Courts may order some information not available due to trial considerations.

Politics and the UK Media Politics in the UK depends on getting the highest number of votes possible in an election, and the media is the best way for politicians to access the greatest number of people. Politicians and political parties must therefore focus a lot of effort towards making themselves look good for the media, and design their campaigns to get the most out of any media exposure.

Politics and the UK Media Almost all of the contact that politicians and political parties have with voters outside of election day will be through the television or newspapers.