Political Economy of the global media business: Why corporate interests shape the news

Essai , 2008 , 10 Pages , Note: Distinction

Médias / Communication - Médias et Politique, Communication politique

This paper will briefly trace recent developments in the media industry, before examining the role of the state and neo-liberal ideology in shaping the global communication system. After analysing the effects of media concentration, special focus will be put on the concept of commodification in the media industry and the notion of cultural hegemony and dependency of media. Thereby, it will be argued that elitist corporate interests shape the news content in order to guarantee a profit friendly political environment.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Media concentration
• Neo-liberal ideology and the role of the state
• Commodification
• Cultural hegemony
• Corporate public sphere

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to examine the political economy of the global media business and its relationship to the shaping of news content. It will trace recent developments in the media industry, analyze the role of the state and neo-liberal ideology in shaping the global communication system, and explore the effects of media concentration, commodification, and cultural hegemony.

• The influence of corporate interests on news content
• The role of neo-liberal ideology in shaping the global media system
• The impact of media concentration and commodification on media content
• The concept of cultural hegemony and its influence on media coverage
• The implications of these factors for democracy and public discourse

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The first chapter explores the phenomenon of media concentration, detailing the growth of large media conglomerates through vertical and horizontal integration. The chapter argues that these processes have resulted in a non-competitive media landscape dominated by a few powerful corporations with intertwined ownership structures. This lack of competition, it is suggested, fosters the shaping of media content according to underlying corporate interests.

The second chapter examines the role of neo-liberal ideology and the state in shaping the global media system. It argues that neo-liberal policies, often implemented through government intervention, have created an environment conducive to corporate concentration and deregulation of the communication sector. This, in turn, has led to a media system that prioritizes corporate interests and promotes neo-liberal values.

The third chapter focuses on the concept of commodification in the media industry. It argues that the primary source of income for media companies is advertising, which creates a bias towards content that supports corporate interests and prioritizes consumerism over citizenship. The chapter also explores the concept of the "commodity audience" and how media content is designed to attract and appeal to specific consumer groups.

The fourth chapter discusses the concept of cultural hegemony, arguing that large media conglomerates promote media content favorable to elitist business interests because they are themselves ideologically part of the elite. The chapter examines how cultural hegemony operates to maintain the existing socioeconomic order and suppress alternative viewpoints.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The paper explores the political economy of the global media business, focusing on corporate interests, neo-liberal ideology, media concentration, commodification, cultural hegemony, and the shaping of news content. It examines the role of the state in shaping the media landscape and the implications of these factors for democracy and public discourse.

• Université: Macquarie University
• Cours: ICOM 816 Communication & Political Economy
• Note: Distinction
• Auteur: MIR, MA Sebastian Plappert (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2008
• Pages: 10
• N° de catalogue: V153918
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640663224
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640663279
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Global Media Business, International Communication, Political Economy of Communication, News, influence