First, a "History of Journalism Ethics" by Stephen J. A. Ward of the University of British Columbia. It's a good, concise explanation of how the role(s) of the media have evolved since the 1450s into the 21st century.
One thing that's maddening, though. Ward summarizes an important book titled Four Theories of the Press (1956). But he only lists three:
Authoritarian. Prevailing theory when kings and inquisitors censored the press -- or tried to! -- during the 1500s and 1600s.OK, OK. But what's the fourth theory of the press? Read on.
Libertarian. The English and American theory of a free press owned by private enterprise as a counterbalance to government.
Social responsibility. A 20th-century offshoot of the libertarian model, with more emphasis on the duty of the media to society.
An online journalism course for high school students in Oregon has an excellent summary of the "Four Theories of the Press." There you'll find out the fourth theory was called "Soviet-Totalitarian." (Remember, the book came out in 1956 at the height of the Cold War.) It's basically the same as the authoritarian model.
Also on Oregon's COOLSchool website is a thought-provoking discussion of "Four Functions of the Press." For the record, they are: (1) To Serve the Economic System: (2) To Entertain; (3) To Inform; and (4) To Influence.
How do these functions complement and/or conflict with each other?
"Knowing the functions of the press will help you understand the media and how it works in a free society," suggest Sue and Dean Barr, Eugene, Ore., authors of the curriculum. "Remember, the purpose of a free press is to guarantee free and open debate and discussion. If the media is too cautious, then people come to think the press should make them feel good and bring consensus. There should be a level of discomfort; if no one is ruffled, then the media has failed."
I would add only this: Knowing the functions of the press, and being able to discuss how any conflicts among them might be resolved, will help you write better midterm and final exam essay questions.
17 comments:
Here are the questions again: Post your answers as additional comments to this blog post.
1. How does the historical role of the press as "fourth estate" fit in with the four functions of the press as outlined by the COOLSchool website?
2. How do these functions of the press complement (in the sense of adding something to) and/or conflict with each other?
(Historical footnote: During the French Revolution in the 1790s, the legislative body was made up of three houses or "estates," i.e. the king, the nobles and the common people. The press was called the "fourth estate" or branch of government.)
2. How does this role
... edited version continued from first post:
Delete question below the historical footnote: "2. How does this role ..."
The media uses the four theories of the media in similar ways. they keep the information imfomative and correct, they also find ways to make it interesting to the viewers or readers.
The Economic system is benefited by media because without the media out economy would be in the dumpster. The media is what keeps out economy stable through commercials and advertising. The media entertains us through movies, songs, and even reading. The media informs us with what is going on throughout the world and without it our information would not travel as easy. Finally the media influences us in our decision making in our lifes today.
Whenever something happens in the nation usually the first media to get it out is the news. Which is usually how everyone will find out
Media is the one thing that links the world together. Without media we wouldn't have newspapers, weather reports, or advertisements. These functions complement eachother becuase one person could look at a commercial as a lesson or information while someone else would take it as entertainment
1. Knowing both of the fourth estate and the four functions you will be able to understand the press and how the media works as a free society.
2.The bring us daily news of what's going on in the world or in your local area. It keeps you up to date with basically anything that is going on that would be valuable information the media provides you with, sometimes even some information that shouldn't be released they do to make you buy or pay attention to their certain media distrabution.They also can be gatekeepers on controling what is released and what is not to be released.
1. The fourth estate fits in with the authoritarian theory because they were the only way to get news out, but they were forced to spin the news in favor of the people in government.
2. It complements the other branches because they are able to take thier stance on an issue and spin some news stories out of it to help support their cause or theory.
The historical role of the press as "fourth estate" fits in with the four functions of the press by each has its role to inform us of information, some of it being hidden and some of it gets leaked out. They are the gatekeepers and in general the media doesn't give us all of the information but just the things that will make them money and keep us wanting more. They dont want to show us how many have died in Iraq but maybe a child that we have gave food to, they influence us like that and sometimes keep things away that they shouldn't. This is because they are influcned by the government or someone high up with enough money to keep it quiet.
Without any entertainment no one would be interested in finding out the more important things going on in the united states. So to keep the publics eyes focused on the media there must be something appealing to what they are informing us about. It may not even be on the main topic, but that gives the media a opportunity to do their job
1. The "fourth estate" was the only major social force for England. Since this was the only major social force they used this to inform the country about the news and influenced thier ways of thinking.
2. It informs us on what is happening in today's world.
1. The press has always been a major social force througout history. The information that society receives comes through the press. All aspects of society, such as the economy and the government, are influenced by what the press covers and what it does not. There is a way to get news out there so that it serves the economic system,as well as informs, influences, and entertains the public.
2. These four functions complement
one another well. The economic system is being served when consumers are influenced by the products featured by the media. It also helps the economic system if the consumer is well-informed. As far as the entertainment aspect goes, one of the only ways to get people's attention is through entertainment. A news story, especially one featured on television, can be both informative and entertaining. The important facts can be put out there while being reinforced by video clips or pictures. That would be the entertainment aspect.
1. The press has to do these exact things, they have to inform, and bring in the audience. They have the same functions.
2. The both work together and work with the audience.
1.historical role of the press as in the past and present is to inform the readers. That stays the same. The entertainment role keeps the people interested in the publication. It also lists what you should and should not wear if you want to "fit in" with the famous people. The press also keeps the people informed as far as government things and if there are new rules and laws.
2.Press compliment by adding much needed information to the readers about all types of subjects and topics. They conflict by putting out bad publicity for some businesses.
1. Well, historically, the role of the press is very similar to the roles they play in today's society. Granted, back in the day, it was probably not as entertaining and also didn't do a whole lot for the economy, but... in most respects a lot of similarities may be found.
2. The functions of the press compliment eachother in many ways, but also conflict in some ways. While the press informs you, it also influences you by playing their role as gatekeepers. While informing you, and ultimately influencing you, they're also entertaining you with their information and the formats in which they give it to you. By emphasing the certain points they choose, they also bridge the gap between buyers and sellers in order to aide our economic system. All of these points, though they compliment eachother, can also conflict with eachother. Ex. Sometimes information provided isn't all that entertaining, etc.
You told me to remind you that i handed mine in on paper!~ Thanks Kandy
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