Does it matter who owns the media?
Over the past weeks in BCM class, the concepts I’ve learnt have afflated me to reflect on this question. This was the question constantly at the back of my mind as we studied the system and nature of Government-owned media VS Private-owned media, it was also a provoking thought when we were looking at the examples of Rupert Murdoch’s media—the Murdoch empire—and China’s media.
So today, I will be sharing my thoughts with you in two parts: 1. Does it matter? 2. Does it REALLY matter? In the second part I reflect on the divide of media ownership (Government VS Private). Hopefully my reflections will not come off arrogant in anyway, I don’t assert that my opinions are superior to yours. To each his own, and here is mine. 🙂
Part 1: Does it matter who owns the media?
Of course, so! The more I understand the far-reaching effect the person/persons who own(s) the media have, the question of “power” was my next train of thought. If I could paraphrase this question, it becomes, “Does it matter who has power in Media?” I believe we should concern ourselves with who is in power in the different areas of the world, and it’s our job to choose our leaders wisely—if we are given the choice.
A widely accepted understanding is that with power comes great responsibility. Therefore, in our perfect ideology, I would think that we would desire someone with integrity—an uncorrupted leader—who has: 1. A passion to cultivate the art scene (entertainment) 2. A thirst for truth (news) 3. Lastly, an appreciation for the medium media is, someone who can see the value of media as a tool for good purposes (education), to own the media we are using. In essence, it will always matter who is in power. So, we could say, it does matter who owns media.
Part 2: Does it really matter who owns the media?
The study of government-owned media and private-owned media, I believe was the context of this reflection. Now that we understand, the difference and the pros and cons of the two style of ownership, does it matter how media is controlled?
My answer is, no. It does not matter because, both ways have its own pros and cons. They say that governments are biased in their portrayal of media, but, private-owned media can be biased too! Take for example Rupert Murdoch, his media has a slant. Murdoch chooses what should be disclosed and what shouldn’t, his media empire then follows his preference to portray things in a certain angle. So, the media we think is “free” in reality is not “free”. This applies to all forms of media, government or private alike.
We are consuming media that has been worked on by many different individuals, and with each individual the content goes through before the audience views it, it has already been tainted by someone’s style or a company’s stand, maybe a reporter’s worldview or a script writer’s beliefs etc.
Some governments are more corrupted than others, while some private companies are more corrupted than others. Can any form of media owned by humans become corrupted? Yes there can always be this possibility, we will never know what truly goes on behind the scene.
Even if we leave out corruption and we suppose that all media are great, and they present content as untainted as possible, it is still a presentation.
Media is still media— a presentation, and with all presentations, I believe it is more important how the audience evaluates the information than evaluating the presenter.
NICOLE INEZ SHO 
Hey Nics,
Nice picture to start off your post! It captures my attention. I agree that power is important and with power, it comes with great responsibility. Just like electing a right president to rule the country, the media should also be ruled by people who has the ability to provide reliable sources of information to the public and to ensure unity among the nation. Everyone is not perfect so in one way or the other, before it goes out to the eyes of public, it would have been tainted or biased in some ways. Everyone has their own judgments and take for example, “hot” news, everyone has different stands, different perspectives but it would be flawed in some way due to opinions or judgments by the one who is presenting the information. They might choose to disclose or expose more information due to how they see things. Ultimately, it is how we allow media to controls our minds.
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Hi Nicole, I thought it was interesting that you viewed the question into two parts. Does it matter and does it really matter. Indeed, due to imperfect information, we would always be on the receiving end of the news hence we would probably never know what is going on behind the scenes of media information distribution. Also, even if we know how corrupted or biased whoever is behind the media, it is sad to say that we would not be able to do much about the fact. Its a sad truth, but its the truth. However, I am happy to say that through experiences, people are increasingly becoming more critical about the facts that we are given. Therefore, it is indeed important for audience, regardless of age to evaluate about the information that we are provided instead of simply welcoming it with two open arms. 🙂
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Hi Nics, I sensed no arrogance from your well-thought points. It is true that media will be biased no matter who owns it. How we can choose to be the better controller, has to be based on its concerns for national interests, and ultimately our interests. We cannot constantly doubt information presented to us, so we’ll have to choose the bias that serves a greater good. Therefore, it is a given that the owner of media should be trusted to be incorruptible and focuses on growth and development of the nation. Indeed, “freedom of the press”, realistically, can be simply seen as the freedom to express and convince others of your own bias! Your final point reminded me of something truly fundamental. Whichever party presents information to an audience, the information is already loaded with every aspect of the presenter’s experience and background, which forms the perspective. Nothing we see or hear can be purely objective, and viewers are just as guilty of said biasness 🙂
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Hi Nic, I agree with you that as corrupted as government media is, privately owned media is as corrupted too. It is difficult to judge who is sending out a true message and who is not, thus, we could not do much about it. It is how we receive or evaluate news that matters. If we receive it positively it will be good for us and if we receive negatively it will be bad for us. No one is really honest in the world as everyone is imperfect on their own. Interesting post though! It makes me really wonder what the best media that we can rely on is.
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