Political Influence on Media

1
Political Influence on Media

• Role of government in regulating
• ownership,
• technology,
• content, and
• distribution

• Four Theories of the Press
• Authoritarian
• Socialist-Communist
• Libertarian
• Social Responsibility

2
Radio Act of 1927 Communication Act of
1934
1.Broadcasting is a unique medium not a common
carrier 2. Spectrum Use, but not the ownership
thereof (PICON). Based on scarcity 3. Equitable
Distribution 4. Federal power to regulate is
discretionary, not absolute 5. F.R.C. (1927)
F.C.C. (1934)
3
Political Influence on Media

• Regulation Issues
• Public Interest v. Regulation Debate
• Three Basic Media/Government Relationships
• Regulation Differences based on Technology and
  Known Science
• Media Wants (Favorable) Regulation (aka
  Deregulation)
• Regulation Produces Winners and Losers

Signing the Telecommunications Act of 1996
4
Political Influence on Media

• Regulating Ownership and Control
• Media Outlets
• Programming (Fin-Syn)
• Technology

5
Political Influence on Media
1. Networks/Affiliates (NBC v. US) The
changing nature of networks 2. Licensing
Brinkley v. FCC
Metro v. FCC 3.
Ownership Multiple ownership (Local,
National, Radio/TV) Broadcast/Newspaper
cross-ownership
6
Political Influence on Media

• Regulating Ownership and Control
• Media Outlets
• Programming (Fin-Syn)
• Technology

• Regulating Content and Distribution
• Fairness Doctrine
• Morality Sexuality and Violence Ratings and
  Warnings
• False Advertising
• National Security

7
Political Influence on Media

• 1. Networks/Affiliates (NBC v. US) The
  changing nature of networks
• 2. Licensing
  Brinkley v. FCC
  Metro v. FCC
• 3. Ownership Multiple ownership (Local,
  National, Radio/TV) Broadcast/Newspaper
  cross-ownership
• First Amendment Fairness
  Doctrine Red Lion,Meredith
  Section 315 (Equal Time) Section
  312 (a) (7) Reasonable Time
• Indecency

8
Political Influence on Media

• Regulating Ownership and Control
• Media Outlets
• Programming (Fin-Syn)
• Technology

• Regulating Content and Distribution
• Fairness Doctrine
• Morality Sexuality and Violence Ratings and
  Warnings
• False Advertising
• National Security

9
Political Influence on Media