Does it really matter who controls my media? Yes, it matters who controls my media! Individuals should not have the power to control mass media, I’m looking at you Mark Zuckerberg and Rupert Murdoch.
Millions of humans around the world look to the big media companies for information to form serious opinions and make decisions that affect their lives. We rely on the media so heavily to provide us with facts and interpretations of our world everyday! Because the information we receive allows us to understand and be influenced on our social and political decisions, it is critical that we are well-informed on a wide range of issues, gaining access to diverse views and credible, truthful information. An ideal media landscape would be one that expresses a diversity of ideas whilst keeping governments and businesses accountable – not one that is skewed to mirror the political standings of the owner. An effective media model is essential to a fair and functioning socio-political world and democracy.
“Diversity of media ownership is crucial to ensure that a small number of owners don’t have undue political influence; and/or limit the agenda for public discussion; and/or disenfranchise minority or alternative views.”
Andy Nehl, 2005 – MEDIA DIVERSITY: If media diversity is so important, how did we get here?
“According to McAllister, Australia has one of the highest concentrations of media ownership in the world (Pusey and McCutcheon, 2011). A concentration of media ownership is a process whereby progressively fewer individuals or organisations control increasing shares of the mass media.”
Kristy Ngu, 2014 – Media Ownership – Why does it matter who ‘controls’ the media?
The issue of media ownership is that publications are laboriously regulated and biased which decreases their accurate investigative and journalistic nature. Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch – who owns a number of Australia’s major capital city newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph and The Herald Sun – is widely recognised for abuse of media power. Murdoch has a history of instigating large advocacy to his prefered political parties through his media avenues e.g loud headlines against the Rudd government.
Facebook’s owner, Mark Zuckerberg is reason that more than 2 billion people are connected online. Both owners have a huge responsibility. If the media becomes overly concentrated on skewed politics or ideals; it can allow for a lack of diversity in public opinion, conflicting interests and suppression of journalistic freedom. The consequences of this is a poorly informed public. Thus, it is critical for media to be less biased and more freed to ensure everyone has the right know expansive, diverse, detailed and accurate accounts of the news.
My trust in news sources since learning of the mass media ownership has become less and less. Now, I’m somewhat cautious and skeptical of the credibility the news I consume holds. Ultimately, mass media is fluid and constant, therefore it’s difficult to navigate reputable sources and remind myself that a lot of the media in Australia is terribly skewed. I’ll now be seeking more diversity and research in my news and checking my sources. You never know where Murdoch lurks.
Reference List
Unknown (2019). MEDIA DIVERSITY: If media diversity is so important, how did we get here? – Centre for Policy Development. [online] Centre for Policy Development. Available at: https://cpd.org.au/2006/03/media-diversity-if-media-diversity-is-so-important-how-did-we-get-here/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2019].
KRISTYHN27. (2019). Media Ownership – Why does it matter who ‘controls’ the media?. [online] Available at: https://kristyhn27.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/media-ownership-why-does-it-matter-who-controls-the-media/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2019].
Kassam, R. (2019). Fox News At Facebook Meeting Is Misdirection: Murdoch and Zuckerberg Are Deeply Connected Over Immigration. [online] Breitbart. Available at: https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2016/05/18/fox-news-at-facebook-meeting-is-misdirection-murdoch-and-zuckerberg-are-deeply-connected-over-immigration/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2019].
internet kid 