Authoritarian & Libertarian Press Theory

Authoritarian Theory

• Places all forms of communication under the control of a governing elite or authorities.
• The media is a servant and mouthpiece of the state.
• Editorial independence is not allowed, this leads to censorship or closure.
• Control is justified to protect a divinely ordained social order.
• Control was typically in the hands of a king, who granted licenses to media practitioners.
• Free speech that criticizes those in power is seen as subversive.
• Practitioners could be jailed, or licenses could be revoked for violations.
• Authoritarian control was exercised arbitrarily.
• Minority viewpoints and cultures might be publicized if they don't threaten the governing elite's power.
• Authoritarian theory prioritizes obedience to the authorities over the cultivation of a homogenous national culture.

Libertarian/Free Press Theory

• The free press serves its readership by informing, educating, and entertaining.
• International trade and urbanization gave rise to social movements demanding individual freedom and free thought.
• Information is knowledge, and knowledge is power.
• There should be free expression from any authority, unchecked by censorship.
• Claims fearlessness in the pursuit of truth.
• People are rational enough to judge good ideas from bad.
• The press shouldn't restrict anything, even negative content, which may provide knowledge for better decision-making.
• The press reminds us that society is not more important than the people comprising it.
• In 1644, John Milton asserted that good and truthful arguments will always win out over lies and deceit.
• Milton’s self-righting principle continues to be cited as a rationale for preserving media freedom.
• Libertarians follow their conscience, seek truth, engage in public debate and aim to create a better life.
• Freedom of the press allows the media to reveal the truth without censorship.
• It gives more value for individuals to express their thoughts in media.
• The theory is excessively positive about the media's willingness to meet responsibilities, potentially leading to negative aspects.
• It ignores the need for reasonable control of media and dilemmas posed by conflicting freedoms.
• WikiLeaks publishing confidential documents is a classic example
• This gives choices to elect a better president, but it may affect their power, restricting libertarian thoughts.

Social Responsibility Theory

• Used in developing countries and third-world nations in the mid-20th century.
• Resulted from the Hutchins Commission on the Freedom of the Press in the US in 1942.
• Pure libertarianism is outdated.
• Allows free press without censorship, but media content should be discussed in public and accept obligations from public interference or self-regulation.
• It is a balance between authoritarian and libertarian theories.
• Media ownership is private, but media has an obligation to the public.
• Moves beyond "objective" reporting to "interpretative" reporting.
• The media are guardians of the democratic process, honest and fair to all.
• Balances freedom with the need for responsibility.
• Both sides of a case should be stated.
• Professionalism was created in the media by setting up a high level of accuracy, truth, and information.
• Includes tasks based on social responsibility of media:
  • Formulate the code of conduct for the press
  • Improve the standards of journalism.
  • Safeguarding the interests of journalism and journalist.
  • Criticize and make some penalty for violating the code of conduct.
• This theory appealed to individual media practitioners to serve cultural pluralism and preserve democracy.
• Basic principles:
  • Media should accept and fulfill obligations to society.
  • Obligations are met by high standards of truth, accuracy, objectivity, and balance.
  • Media should be self-regulating within the framework of law.
  • Media should be pluralist, reflect diversity, and give access to various points of view.
  • Society has a right to expect high standards.
  • The media should avoid anything that might lead to crime, violence, or offense to minority groups.
• A pluralist media in a pluralist society is responsible through multiple ownership.
• Critics believe that media will not play monopoly because questions will raise if media published or broadcast anything wrongly or manipulate any story.
• Media standards will improve, concern all audiences, and be controlled by the government and public organizations.
• One way of meeting the demands of this theory is public service broadcasting, ensuring cultural and political pluralism.

Soviet Media Theory

• Originated after the 1917 Russian Revolution.
• Based on Marxist-Leninist principles, with influence from Hegel.
• Also known as Communist Media Theory.
• Followed by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi in Germany and Benito Mussolini in Italy.
• The government controls all media to serve the working class and their interests.
• The state has absolute power to control any media for the benefits of people by ending private ownership of the press.
• Government media provide positive thoughts to create a strong socialized society.
• Provides information, education, entertainment, motivation, and mobilization.
• All media message systems are in the service of the state and voice of the people.
• The public was encouraged to give feedback to create interests towards the media.
• Looks similar to authoritarian theory, but the core part is different.
• Authoritarian thory is a one way communication, where there is no feedback allowed.
• In Soviet media theory there is two communication, at the same time the whole media is controlled or works under the leadership.
• Private ownership is not allowed so the press can serve people without blockades.
• Allows some restriction based on the nation interest.
• Journalists should support the leadership.

Development Media Theory

• Propounded by Dennis McQuail in 1987.
• Media should support the existing government and its socio-economic development efforts.
• Media should be supportive rather than critical of government until a nation is well-established and economically developed.
• Relates to media in third-world nations.
• Journalism should seek out good news, and bad news stories should be treated with caution to avoid economic damage.
• Media fulfill social and political duties.
• Media freedom should be subordinated to national integration, socio-economic modernization, literacy, and cultural creativity.
• Accentuates the positive, nurtures the autonomy of developing nations, and emphasizes indigenous cultures.
• It is a theory of state support and resistance to competing nations and theories of media.
• As the press performs its responsibilities, it considers the following:
  • Media must accept and carry out positive development tasks in line with government policies.
  • Freedom of the press should align with economic priorities and development needs.
  • Media should focus on areas that affect people's lives.
  • Content should be development-driven and center on socio-economic and political lives.
  • The state has the right to intervene in media operations using censorship if activities are not in line with development objectives.
• Mass media should prioritize coverage of politically, geographically, and culturally contiguous developing countries.

Democratic Participant Theory

• Represents the ideal media purpose.
• Challenges reigning theories and offers a positive strategy towards new media institution forms.
• Stands for defense against commercialization and monopoly while being resistant to bureaucracy.
• Emphasizes the receiver's role in the communication process, integrating rights to relevant information, to be heard, and to hear and be shown.
• Media messages and content shouldn't be affected by bureaucratic and political control.
• Media existence should respect the interests and needs of the recipient, not the media entity.
• Encourages small-scale, multiple, local, non-institutional media because they link senders with receivers Favors interactions' horizontal designs.
• Authoritarian theory leads to media being controlled and censored.
• Libertarian theory leads to media that is free without intervention.
• Social responsibility theory leads to press freedom but with controls.
• Soviet media theory leads to media under the control of the national leader.