CURRAN AND SEATON (MEDIA CONCENTRATION)

Question 1

Can you summarise Curran & Seaton’s theory?

Answer 1

Powerful media companies are profit and power driven, which leads to market domination, concentrated ownership and a lack of pluralism. Alternative, media structures can offer more variety.

Question 2

Media industries are dominated by a small number of power companies (example)

Answer 2

DM is owned by Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) — a commercially driven media conglomerate focused on profit which enjoys almost 25% of the market share in print news industry.

Question 3

What is the 20/20 rule in UK ownsership regulation?

Answer 3

A rule designed to protect media pluralism. It dictates that a company that owns a newspaper group with 20% or more of the national newspaper market share CANNOT hold a broadcasting license to provide news on other public service broadcasters (ITV). This is set out in the Communications Act 2003 and enforced by Ofcom.

Question 4

Why is this concentration problematic?

Answer 4

Limits creativity, diversity, pluralism.

Media products become repeitive, risk, aversive, lacking in creative or political diversity.

Question 5

Alternative media structures can offer more variety, creativity, diversity and media pluralism? example?

Answer 5

Public service broadcasters (like the BBC) or non-profit organizations (like The Guardian) are more likely to support innovation, diversity, and socially responsible journalism.