Advertisers and the Governement

• What can advertisers and the government do?

  They can influence news content
• What does Herman and Chomsky argue?

  They argue that media outlets are profit seeking. They rely on the gov and corporations for big stories. Therefore, they can influence the media by threatening to damage their profits
• What do Edwards and Cromwell suggest?

  They pointed out that some advertisers didn’t want to appear next to images of the Iraq war (2003-2011). Therefore, the images were suppressed in favour of less serious content, so papers could continue to advertise and make money

  They also argued that the media often leaves out criticisms of the UK gov. actions

  E.g. the media blamed the negative impact of the Iraq War on those in power in Iraq
• How is the media regulated?

  By their own organisations, the Press Complaints Commission, which monitors standards and deals with audience complaints, so the content of the press is self-regulated
• How are social media bloggers regulated?

  They aren't regulated, so they have more freedom. However they do still have to obey the law
• what are Libel Laws?

  They ensure people dont publish lies
• What are Contempt of Court?

  Stop people from publishing anything that might damage a court case
• What happened in 2011?

  News of the World journalists were reported to have been hacking into the mobile phones of people connected to major stories. This scandal led to the Leveson Inquiry (2011-2012).
• What is the Leveson Inquiry?

  It looked at whether the press should be able to self-regulate or should be regulated by the government. The inquiry recommended that the PCC should be replaced by a body with legal backing to make regulation more effective
• Freedom of the Press

  • Some believe that the press have a duty to hold the powerful to account
  • If the government regulated the press it may not be able to do this
  • However, Hodkinson said the idea that the press represent the people against those in power is wrong
  • Hodkinson highlighted the fact that sometimes the press had worked with the gov. and police against the publics best interest