Assignment task: As Robert McChesney and Ben Bagdikian point out, a few giant conglomerates have more and more control over the world of media. We must ask ourselves what impact this has on culture and democracy and even on the economy. The government has tended, since the late 1970s, to view media as a commodity and media companies as providers of a product rather than as enablers of political and cultural dialog and debate. Answer the following questions while considering the likely impact of a corporate media model.
1. The media are influential gatekeepers of information about political candidates and political issues. If a candidate proposed dramatically reducing the ability of any one company to control large amounts of media, do you think that candidate would be given a fair opportunity to present such a case to the public?
Why or why not?
2. Newscasts are a main source of profit for television stations. Consider the impact of showing stories that will generate the largest revenue rather than showing those that are the most important for public well-being. Do you think this ever happens? How serious a problem would you say this is?
3. Do you have a story you would like to tell, a book you'd like to write, or a movie you'd like to make about life the way you see it? Even if you don't, some people do. Some people believe the stories that are told never seem to match the way they see the world. If corporate media fail to see profit in a particular worldview, they are unlikely to tell it. Discuss the potential implications of this for your personal freedom of speech opportunities.