Media System Theories

 

There are 4 press theories, they are Authoritarian Theory, Soviet-Communist Theory, Libertarian Theory, and Social- Responsibility Theory. 

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1. Authoritarian Theory:

• Developed in 16th & 17th century England

• Supports and advances the policies of the government in power

• Privately owned

• Authorities have the right to permit any media and control it by providing license to the media and make certain censorships

• Role of media: Educate, propaganda

• Eg. Dictatorship and old-style kingdom (Burma) - Myanmar

 

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2. Soviet-Communist Theory:

• Developed in the Soviet Union

• Contribute to the success and continuance of the Soviet socialist system (dictatorship of the party)

• State owned

• Assumptions:

• Collective interest is more important than individual

• Press freedom decided by government

• Role of mass media: instruments of party, unite people and carry out party and state plans

• Eg. Former Soviet Union, North Korea, Laos

• Variations are still practiced in communist China and Cuba

 

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3. Libertarian Theory:

• Adopted in England after 1688, and in the U.S., and is influential elsewhere in the world

• Free from any authority or censorship

• Idea of individualism; people are rational and able to judge good ideas from the bad

• Privately owned

• Role of media: inform, entertain, sell, as well as discover truth and check on government

• Eg. United States, Europe etc in the past

 

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4. Social Responsibility Theory:

• Mid 20th century: An outgrowth of the libertarian theory

• Between authoritarian and libertarian theory

• Self-regulation

• Privately owned

• Responsible use of media: from objective reporting to investigate reporting

• Role of media: Serve the public

• Eg. United States, Europe, Asia etc

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