Types of Media Systems Western Media System Revolutionary

Types of Media Systems • Western Media System • Revolutionary Media System • Communist Media System • Developmental Media System • Authoritarian Media System

Western Media System • • • Media privately owned Privately supported (advertising) Free flow of ideas/diversity of views Free of government control Rarest form of media existing where. . . Press is 4 th estate

Western Media System • • Common law protects individuals High income, literacy, education Multi-party democracy Tradition of independent journalism

Problems in Western Media • Profit-making emphasis • Concentration of ownership

Revolutionary Media • • • Illegal/subversive Used to overthrow “Underground” Short term People at odds with government Alternative forms

Communist Media • • • Owned and controlled by state Instrument of rule Goal is nation-building “News” is what’s important to state Originally a revolutionary tool

Lenin on communist media “…free press gives freedom to oppress, deceive and exploit the masses…”

Developmental Media • The goal is nation-building • Explain to people their role in the new social order • Temporary • No freedom of expression • Top - down flow of information

Authoritarian Media • • • Oldest form of media Press supports the state Top - down flow of information Ruler decides what is published Maintain status quo Evolved into Communist & Developmental

Political infrastructures • 1 st world: Industrialized • 2 nd world: Communist • 3 rd world: Undeveloped

News • How is it defined? • What is its role/function? • What is the content?

Role of the Media • Autonomous? • Ancillary?

Relationship to government • 1 st world: Press independent • 2 nd world: Press under control • 3 rd world: Press mobilized to aid development

The Global Village • Cultural homogenization • Homogenization of language • The Instantaneous transmission of news: What is its impact?

Media Imperialism • The one-way flow of information to developing nations. • The imposition of western culture and values on developing nations. • Hegemony

U. S. Provincialism • We don’t look outside our boundaries, unless…