World Press Systems PDF

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World press systems part 1. ...

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World Press Systems Deciding what’s news Theories or Concepts ● What are theories? ○ Explanations or guide books for what is going on Five press concepts ● Western ● Authoritarian ● Communist ● Revolutionary ● Developmental ○ Press systems tend to reflect the values of the political and economic systems of the nations where they operate. - hachten and scotton Western ● Established tradition of independent journalism along with democracy, laws, civil liberties, private capital, literacy ● Comes from… ○ Libertarian ■ Truth is discovered only through a clash of competing claims ○ Social responsibility ■ Press has responsibilities to serve society ● Supported primarily through advertising ● But also through subscriptions and other payments from consumers ○ Subscribe to publication or other media ○ Pay cable, satellite and other provider fees ○ Donations (public broadcasting model) ■ “Support fact-based journalism,” “subscribe or donate” Authoritarian ● Press is always subject to direct or implied control by the state. ● Usually leaves press alone if it does not criticize or challenge the government ○ Developed in England, 16th-17th centuries ■ Printers could operate with government permission, not challenge the government Communist ● One-party press has a monopoly on news ○ Only a few countries still have it ■ Developed from Soviet communist system ● Press is scaffold that holds….??

Revolutionary ● Illegal and /or subversive communication against the state, or to overthrow a government ○ Underground press in France in WWII ○ Dissident press in Soviet Union ○ Impact of Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, in Egypt, Iran and the “Arab Spring” ● Media take on new power and importance in an age of global communication Developmental ● The media help build a nation and support government ○ Information becomes property of the state and must further national goals ○ The mass media and information must further the national goals, such as fighting illiteracy and poverty, building a political consciousness, strengthening the economy ● Sharing ideas Authoritarian vs. Western (two main systems) ● Western ○ News and info belong to people and journalists have right to pursue and report news ○ I.e: US, Great Britain, Canada, India, South Korea, Nicaragua, México, Argentina ● Authoritarian ○ Control news and info/restrict dissemination of news ○ I.e: Singapore, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Turkey, Russia ■ Some overlap with communist system Trends ● While authoritarian systems are still dominant, western concept of the press has continued to expand ● Millions of people- particularly in Asia and Europe- have joined the vast world audience of international communication Consider the Western Model ● “Infotainment” ○ Blending of news and entertainment that makes celebrity news and earthquakes similar ● Western System ○ Most operate with a lot of freedom ○ Most are supported with advertising ■ Many hope for more consumer support through subscriptions The British Press ● Serious newspapers ● British press has more of a partisan tradition (more political perspective)

○ Bit more edginess, opinion Attracting more of a U.S. audience ○ BBC official: US readers wanting a different perspective British tabloid invades US ● British tabloid features extensive gossip ● Tabloids are infamous ● Mix sleazy news with hard news ●...