CHAPTER 6 NEW MEDIA – NEW THEORY?

DISCUSSING NEW MEDIA When is new theory needed? Fundamental changes in forms of social organization of the media technlogies Fundamental change in social relations being promoted What new media? Primary focus Internet based communication devices Distinction between personal and mass communication

PRIMARY ASPECTS OF NEW MEDIA Digitalization & Convergence Binary code Increased Interactivity Mobility and delocation of sender/receiver Metaphors of the Main functions of the web Gateway Billboard Network Niche Brand

ROLES & RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRADITIONAL MEDIA INSTITUTES Authorship New media; new opportunities and new challenges Copyright Publication Roles are more unclear Gatekeeping Audience Greater autonomy Function changed to searching, consulting, and interacting

MAIN THEMES OF NEW MEDIA THEORY Themes from Mass Media Power and inequality Social integration and identity Social change & development Space and time

CHAPTER 7 NORMATIVE THEORY OF MEDIA AND SOCIETY

NORMATIVE THEORY Defined Refers to rights and responsibility Evaluates how media ought or are expected be Sources of normative expectations with media Social and political theory on press Professional theory and journalism Public opinion Audience Media marketplace State and its agencies

MEDIA AND PUBLIC INTEREST Public interest in media activities Structure Freedom of publication Plurality of ownership Extensive reach Diversity of channels and forms Diversity of information Content

MEDIA AND PUBLIC INTEREST Content Public order and security of state Quality of cultural provision Support for democracy Meeting international human rights obligations

MEDIA AND PUBLIC INTEREST Areas required to prevent harm Respecting individuals Individual rights to privacy etc Harm to society Negative effect of media on children Harm to individuals Copy cat crimes

PRESS AS FOURTH ESTATE: THEORY OF PRESS FREEDOM Theory of press freedom Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mills Fourth estate Edmund Burke Power of press Freedoms of Press Linked with individual freedom First amendment Free marketplace of ideas Struggle for freedom

PRESS AS FOURTH ESTATE: THEORY OF PRESS FREEDOM Struggle for freedom Church and government First Amendment Early 20 th Century

1947 COMMISSION ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS & THE THEORY OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Established due to concerns about American press Private commission Established in 1942, reported in 1947 Chairman Goal of commission Evaluate several areas of press to determine limits on free expression Milestone in Media History First inquiry Government control Example for others Social responsibility

1947 COMMISSION ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS & THE THEORY OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Findings of 1947 Commission Critical of press Concept of social responsibility Key journalistic standards for Press Truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent reporting Forum for comment Common carrier Goals and values of society Eliminate sensationalism Report objectively

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORY Main propositions Obligations to society Truthful, accurate, fair, objective and relevant Free to act Media self-regulated Code of ethics Government intervention

PROFESSIONALISM IN JOURNALISM Various forms Press council Principles of good practice Codes of practice and ethics Most frequent principles Truth Clarity Defense Responsibility Respect

FOUR THEORIES OF THE PRESS BY F. S. SIEBERT Authoritarian Developed in late Renaissance Described control of press Libertarian Free Press Theory 18 th Century – Enlightenment Thinkers Press – search for truth

FOUR THEORIES OF THE PRESS BY F. S. SIEBERT Social Responsibility Soviet Communist Theory Imitates Leninist Principle Russian Revolution, 1917 Government control of media No longer applicable in modern day media (in US)

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING Rationale Regulate transmission Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Developed system to license private operators Addressed social and political issues

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING Primary Goals of Public Service Broadcasting Universal coverage Diversity Minorities Support national culture Political Balanced and impartial Public Interest

MODELS OF NORMATIVE THEORY Liberal – Pluralist Model Basis is original Fee Press Theory Emphasizes the individual and public interest Free marketplace of ideas Accountability Social Responsibility Model Free press comes with obligation Defines actions of responsible media Public Service

MODELS OF NORMATIVE THEORY Professional Model Roles for society and standards Primary concern: public needs Professional autonomy Alternative Media Model Small scale Concern for community Opposes state power Subcultures