UK news. Flashcards
Bagdikian.
The concentration of the ownership of media created ‘Lords of the Global village.’
How many corporations controlled the media (US.)
1983- 50 corporations.
1992- 22 companies controlled 90% of mass media.
2011- 5 corporations. Disney, NewsCorp (Murdoch), Time Warner, Viacom, CBS.
Problems with such a concentrated ownership.
-Less diversity in views.
-Marxist: spreads false class consciousness, promoting their ideas. Financially benefits the bourgeoisie.
-Abuse their power: phone hacking scandal.
-Controls the media narrative eg Covid.
-Hides wrongdoing of the upper class: partygate.
Cyber media owners.
-Apple.
-Microsoft.
-Samsung.
-Google.
Media and globalisation.
Most countries produced their own media before globalisation. It is now shared worldwide.
-Technology: there is less traditional media. Communication is interconnected, so more products are consumed.
-Trade: adverts promote their goods through new media.
Problems with the global media.
-Everyone has the same beliefs regardless of culture. Cultural/ media imperialism.
-Marxist: the media does not question the RC because Marxist voices are suppressed in mass media. GLOBAL MASS OF UNTHINKING ROBOTS.
McPhail+ electronic colonialism.
Other countries accept western values and disregard their own cultures ideas.
Curran + press barons.
1937- four men controlled nearly half of all daily newspapers in the UK. They were called press barons. Several companies control the newspapers. There is still the same degree of concentration.
Right+ Left-wing newspapers.
Left-wing: The Guardian, Daily Mirror, Daily Star.
Right-wing: Sun, Daily Mail, Times, Daily Telegraph, Daily Express.
Murdoch’s companies.
-Acquired newspapers in Australia+ New Zealand.
-Expanded into the UK 1969: news of the world, the sun, the times (first British broadsheet.)
-Adopting electronic news: Harper Collins, Wall street journal.
-Found BSkyB in 1990, also expanding into Asia and south America.
Owning several publishing companies impact on media diversity.
There is a low diversity of opinion, as the owner will influence the opinion put forward. It reduces alternative views that challenge authority eg left wing views- less people will adopt the views. Eg Murdoch being negative towards conservative politicians during his support for Blair.
Guardian figures.
The Guardian doesn’t share circulation figures- advertisers won’t want spots in irrelevant newspapers.
Marxists on the concentration of ownership.
An example of the bourgeoisie owning the means of production. It is concentrated in the hands of a few- they more easily promote dominant ideology.
