Governments, businesses and citizens across the world are only beginning to understand the profound implications of living in a hyper-connected world. Organisations operating across borders must recognise that the users of that information, and their governments, often have different cultural norms, values and expectations. These norms are changing as digital natives come of age and challenge old orthodoxies. Digital technologies continue to evolve, making it ever more difficult for anyone to control or regulate the manner and flow of information (World Economic Forum, 2013).
According to an International Media Concentration Research Project, led by Professor Eli Noam of Columbia University, ‘Australian newspaper circulation was the most concentrated of 26 countries surveyed, and among the most concentrated in the democratic world’ (Flew, 2013). Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp Australia, the Fairfax Media and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) are all examples of mass media communicating systems of norms and values. The first two accounted for 86% of newspaper sales in Australia in 2011, as compared to 54% for the top two newspaper owners in the United Kingdom and as low as 14% for the top two in the United States (Flew, 2013). News Corp and Fairfax have been seen to express a response to political climates according to their owners’ rather singular perspectives. Allegations of news media bias in Australia during the past several years are nothing new, in each case these players are after a different goal (Tucker, 2013).
Table of Contents
1. Case Studies of How Mass Media Communicate a Standard System of Norms and Values
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the influence of mass media conglomerates on political and social discourse, specifically focusing on how media ownership structures in Australia shape the communication of norms, values, and political agendas.
- Analysis of media concentration in the Australian landscape.
- The role of media moguls in shaping federal political outcomes.
- The intersection of commercial interests, specifically the National Broadband Network, and media coverage.
- The influence of private corporate ownership on editorial independence and journalism.
- The shifting dynamics of media consumption from traditional print to digital platforms.
Excerpt from the Book
Case Studies of How Mass Media Communicate a Standard System of Norms and Values
Governments, businesses and citizens across the world are only beginning to understand the profound implications of living in a hyper-connected world. Organisations operating across borders must recognise that the users of that information, and their governments, often have different cultural norms, values and expectations. These norms are changing as digital natives come of age and challenge old orthodoxies. Digital technologies continue to evolve, making it ever more difficult for anyone to control or regulate the manner and flow of information (World Economic Forum, 2013).
According to an International Media Concentration Research Project, led by Professor Eli Noam of Columbia University, ‘Australian newspaper circulation was the most concentrated of 26 countries surveyed, and among the most concentrated in the democratic world’ (Flew, 2013). Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp Australia, the Fairfax Media and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) are all examples of mass media communicating systems of norms and values. The first two accounted for 86% of newspaper sales in Australia in 2011, as compared to 54% for the top two newspaper owners in the United Kingdom and as low as 14% for the top two in the United States (Flew, 2013). News Corp and Fairfax have been seen to express a response to political climates according to their owners’ rather singular perspectives. Allegations of news media bias in Australia during the past several years are nothing new, in each case these players are after a different goal (Tucker, 2013).
Summary of Chapters
1. Case Studies of How Mass Media Communicate a Standard System of Norms and Values: This chapter introduces the global challenges of information regulation and provides a detailed analysis of media concentration in Australia, highlighting the significant influence of entities like News Corp on both political processes and cultural narratives.
Keywords
Mass Media, Media Concentration, Political Bias, News Corp, Fairfax Media, Australian Politics, Digital Transformation, Editorial Independence, National Broadband Network, Public Broadcasting, Journalism, Media Ownership, Cultural Norms, Corporate Influence, Journalism Ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this research?
The work explores how mass media organizations utilize their reach to disseminate specific norms, values, and political perspectives, with a detailed focus on the Australian media landscape.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the concentration of media ownership, the intersection of political power and media influence, the impact of corporate interests on public infrastructure, and the evolving nature of news consumption.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to demonstrate how concentrated media ownership can influence public opinion and democratic outcomes by examining specific instances of political pressure and corporate bias.
Which methodology is employed in the study?
The study utilizes a case study approach, drawing on academic research, news reporting, and documented instances of media influence to analyze the relationship between owners and political agendas.
What content is covered in the main body?
The main body examines the influence of Rupert Murdoch and News Corp on Australian elections, the commercial motives regarding the National Broadband Network, the role of mining magnate Gina Rinehart in media ownership, and the decline of traditional print media.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Mass Media, Media Concentration, Political Bias, Corporate Influence, and Editorial Independence.
How does media ownership impact the National Broadband Network (NBN) discourse?
The text argues that media owners like Rupert Murdoch exerted influence to cripple the NBN construction to protect the commercial dominance of their cable television interests.
What role does sport play in the Australian media landscape?
Sport is highlighted as a critical cultural norm and a major driver for pay-TV subscriptions, which media organizations strategically utilize to secure and maintain their subscriber base.
How is the influence of newspaper owners on politics changing?
The text suggests that while traditional newspaper influence was once potent in swinging elections, the rise of digital platforms and diversified news consumption is diminishing this historical power.
What is the significance of the "Washington Post" vs. "Washington Times" experiment mentioned?
The experiment indicates that increased news exposure, regardless of a publication's political stance, is more significant in shaping voter perceptions than the specific ideological spin of the outlet.
- Quote paper
- Nick Birch (Author), 2013, Communication of norms and values in mass media, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/269684
