News - (print) Media Industries Flashcards
(32 cards)
Who owns the production of news?
Journalists, editors and printers
Who has control over distribution?
Owners and editors
Who controls news content?
Editors
How does the normal capitalist pattern of distribution fit with newspapers? (Hesmondhalgh)
There is increasing concentration and integration. Cultural production is owned and controlled by a few conglomerates.
Why is news so risky?
Because it’s shelf life is so short especially with the 24/7 news cycle
What do newspapers have to rely on to sell newspapers to minimise risk?
Formats such as gossip, lifestyle journalism, opinion sections and sports journalism to minimise risk
What drives journalism (especially for The Daily Mail)?
Profit motive
Advertising revenue has declined due to the decline of print and online news. Why does this impact journalism?
Led to a decline in expensive journalism such as international news and investigative reporting and rise in cheap journalism such as gossip and celebrities
Why has there been a narrowing of a range of opinions in newspapers? (73% of our newspapers are owned by 2 men!)
Increased concentration in fewer hands, so a narrower range of opinions and a pursuit of profit over quality or creativity
Why are newspapers different to other industries in terms of profit?
They don’t usually make a profit but they are a means of gaining political and social control
Who owns The Daily Mail? (Proprietor ownership)
Viscount Rothermere (jonatan harsmsworth) and the DMGT
Who owns The Guardian?
The GMG and the Scott Trust
Why is media plurality a live political issue?
Because there is such limited competition and narrow voices 7 companies run all the print industry in the UK
What ranking of free press in the world do we have?
24 (2022)
Why is press freedom important?
Limits the control and power of the owners but is vital for democracy
Are newspapers allowed to be politically bias?
Yes but should not just represent the views of their owners (eg Brexit and The Daily Mail)
Why should owners not have much control or interference?
It would destroy the credibility of the newspaper, would be resisted by the editor and cannot look like an organ of propaganda
Why is the Scott Trust important?
It protects editorial independence, safeguards journalistic freedoms and the newspaper’s liberal values
Why is the Leveson Inquiry important?
It tried to limit the close relationship of politicians and journalists as seen through the meetings politicians had with Murdoch before elections
Give one example of indirect power the owner yields.
By appointing the editor who will, in turn, decide the political stance of a paper
Traditionally, how did newspapers gain revenue?
Tabloids - price of paper (large audience but less wealthy so not attractive to advertisers)
Quality - advertisers (smaller audiences but wealthy so lots of advertisers)
What is a media baron?
Wealthy individuals or proprietors who own the paper or a group of papers
When was the major turning point in the print industry?
2004 and the introduction of Web 2.0
Why is moving online beneficial?
Production - reduced environmental costs
Distribution- reduced cost of getting papers out plus globalisation
Circulation - increases circulation through apps and social media plus allows interaction
