Power and Media Industries Theory - A1

Power and Media Industries Theory

Power and Media Industries Theory is a political economy approach to the media – arguing that patterns of ownership and control are the most significant factors in how the media operate. Media industries follow the normal capitalist pattern of increasing concentration of ownership in fewer and fewer hands. This leads to a narrowing of the range of opinions represented and pursuit of profit at the expense of quality or creativity.

The internet does not represent a rupture with the past in that it does not offer a level playing field for diverse voices to be heard. It is constrained by nationalism and state censorship. News is still controlled by powerful news organisations, which have successfully defended their oligarch.

• Newspapers should reflect the interests of an audience otherwise they will go out business. 
• They should be liberal and anyone should be able to make one. However, this does not happen in practice due to cost and the press can be used as a propaganda tool to influence the audience. 
• Because there are far fewer newspaper owners than there are readers, an audience only receives a small number of opinions. 
• Whilst many hoped the internet would make this fairer, due to lower costs, Curran and Seaton believe this hasn’t happened in practice as the big news organisations control the majority of online news.

Find examples of articles within The Big Issue, that challenge the representations within mainstream news or offer a different view on the world focusing on different news values to those found in mainstream news media. 

 

The Big Issue is an independent magazine that is often sold on the streets by homeless, marginalized, and disadvantaged people. It also aims at culturally, ethically and socially aware audiences who care about their surroundings. Since the Big Issue is a social enterprise, existing to help homeless and vulnerably housed people, inform readers about social issues and is not owned by a large conglomerate, it is not blinded by profit. The magazine does not produce repetitive media to gain huge amounts of money and power, but tells outsider stories and features voices that are rarely heard in the mainstream media. It is not a luxury brand but has a clear sense of identity and its content is not easily replicated with the clear ethos and social conscience, which is unique in the magazine marketplace, Therefore, the Big Issue offers a wide range of articles challenging the representations of mainstream news and considering diverse viewpoints and ideologies. 

Tabloid newspapers, such as the Daily Mail and the Sun, often focus on gossiping about scandals and personal lives of celebrities and stars, as well as the British royal family. Britain's public life is basically in the hands of tabloids, as they shape public opinion and give the owners power and influence, hence their obsession with the royal family. Due to the royals’ popularity, glamour and scandals, reporting about them help tabloids sell tons of newspaper. Especially after the interview with Megan Markle and Prince Harry as it has recently gained attention from people from all over the world and dominated the mainstream news media. However, the Big Issue delivers an unconventional and different point of view with the article “We should be focused on ending poverty, not the rowing royals”. Written by the Founder and Editor-In-Chief, the article suggests that people tend to look up to or focus on someone who’s different from them, for instance being fascinated by the life of royalty. He stated that many individuals are interested in the royals’ behaviours and actions than their next-door neighbour's, even though there are more important issues that need to be addressed. These unhealthy interests and distractions will take people’s minds away from saving the economy and helping children go back to school. The article offers a different perspective and reminds the audience of the problems which are much more crucial and significant than the royal family members. 

The Daily Mail is famous for its conservative, right-wing stance and is seen as the “voice of middle England”. It is one of the biggest-selling newspapers in the UK and is owned by the DMGT, a powerful media company and the billionaire, Jonathan Harmsworth. The fact that the Daily Mail is under the ownership of one of the largest organizations indicates that the owners may interfere with the content, resulting in a limited variety of opinions within the newspaper. There have been occasions when the paper attacks the Labour Party, Muslims, foreigners, and show signs of racism and sexism. For instance, one of its front pages was considered sexist and offensive as the editors disrespected, objectified two female leaders and focused on their legs rather than their important discussion of leaving the EU. On the other hand, the Big Issue featured a book author to talk about the treatment of young women in modern society with the title “It’s time we listened to what teenage girls have to say”, which has the opposite intention compared to the Daily Mail. The issues of girls having to fit into social standards and other people criticizing their decisions were addressed in the article. The writer also stated that her male colleagues would sometimes comment on a girl’s appearance by saying they don’t understand the way she dressed and finding how girls try to find themselves silly. Therefore, the Big Issue has challenged the standardized representations of women and gave readers a different viewpoint on this matter from a woman herself, since they care about gender equality. 

To conclude, the examples of articles in the Big Issue show that the magazine provides the audience members with meaningful and open-minded points of view on various news values to those found in the mainstream media. Since it is owned by an independent conglomerate, the editors tend to project positive and unconventional values, messages and ideas. Despite the fact that they have the power to shape people's ideologies, the Big Issue is not blinded by money like many large companies.