MASS COMMUNICATION ASSIGNMENT

MASS COMMUNICATION

LECTURER: KODWO BOATENG

NAME: ISAAC ASIEDU- ODEI

INDEX NO: DCSM 2010019

DATE: 18^TH MAY, 2009

COMPARE AND CONSTRAST THE LIBERITARIAN AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORIES OF THE MEDIA. ILLUSTRATE WITH GHANAIAN BASED EXAMPLES.

Since the 16^th century, scholars and philosophers have tried describe or point the exact relationship between the government and the media. They have also attempted to establish the implications as in freedom and control and the exact function or the role of these two bodies in the development of society.

The history of mankind has shown that, man has seen several political or governmental systems with varying degrees of political, economical and social conditions. Each system of governance has with it, its own media theory developed to articulate and explain this relationship.

The four main leading theories have been authoritarian, libertarian, social responsibility and soviet communist. The most striking point with all these however is that they sharply divided into two. Thus, the first and the last theories are in sharp contrast with the second and the third ones. They disagree on the issue of whether the government should exercise control on the media or the media must be allowed to operate freely. These theories were well crafted and pushed forward by these three scholars in 1956 (Siebert, Peterson and Schramm).

Libertarian and social responsibility theories are direct opposite of authoritarian theory. Here, the idea is to place all forms of communication under the control of government or the governing elite few. They normally justified their control of the media as a means to safeguard and saintly preserve the ordained social order.

But the libertarian theory which was the first to have emerged to counter the practices and the principles of authoritarian was based hugely on the conviction of individuals’ right of selectivity born out of various options. This conviction is perfectly illustrated by these writers (Mc Quail, 1987; Siebert, Peterson and Schramm; 1956).”If individuals could be freed from the arbitrary limits on communication imposed by the state and the church they would “naturally” follow the dictates of their conscience, seek the e truth, engage in public debate and ultimately create a better life for themselves and others”

The social responsibility came in to rectify some of the short comings of the libertarian theory. However there are not many differences between the two theories.

Rather there are many principles that bring them together than those that set them apart. There is one fundamental principle that underlies the two theories. That is John Milton’s self-righting principle. John Milton a strong Libertarian advocate in1844 asserted that, in a fair debate good and truthful arguments will always win out over lies and deceit

Libertarian Social Responsibility theories both thrive on deepened and entrenched democratic countries like the United of States of America, United Kingdom, Japan France and Germany.

But in times of crises and state of emergencies, more extreme levels of Social Responsibility principles are adopted in order to preserve sanctity of the country. For instance, though in Ghana we have largely practiced Social Responsibility theory since 1992 (after the re-birth constitutional rule), the conflicts situations in the north necessitated the introduction of extreme levels Social Responsibility principles. The Konkomba-Nanumba in 1994 and the brutal murdering of the Yaa Naa in Yendi led to the imposition state of emergencies in and around these areas that prevented the media from publishing some issues of the conflict which have the potential to incite or spark up violence.

Furthermore, both theories believe in the freedom of the media, but they have different orientations on the exact kind of press freedom. Whereas, the former believes in freedom without restriction of any kind but latter insists on freedom that is exercised in responsible levels. In addition to the self regulatory mechanism of the media practitioners as propounded by Social Responsibility, it also embraces the setting-up of independent bodies to oversee the activities of the media.

For instance, the 1992 constitution authorizes the creation of National Media Commission (NMC). Article 167 of the constitution empowers the NMC to ensure the promotion of freedom and independence of the media for mass communication or information. Consequently, the National Media Commission as empowered by Law in 1993 set up a commission made up of media experts mostly field operators and came out with a document called The Broadcasting Standards for all media houses in the country. The commission was chaired by Tim Acguah Hayford. Some of the commission members were:David NEWTON, Cyril ACOLATSE, Kwesi TWUM, Frances ADEMOLA, Kwaw ANSAH, John HAMOND, and Ms Sarah Akrofi QUARCOO.

Libertarian and Social Responsibility are firm believers in the idea of the media being the market place for the sharing of ideas involving the public. Libertarian presses that, people are rationale beings hence will be able to decipher the truth from lies. However, social responsibility contrast s by arguing that, though truly humans are discerning beings not all are ready to use their skills of thinking to pick out the truth from the packed lies and half truths. Hence, there ought to be a duty on the part of the media to carefully select their content in order not to destabilize the society with any jaundiced reportage.

Again, the two theories are accountable but are accountable to different publics of the society. The libertarian is accountable to the owners of the media houses but the operators of social responsibility theory are accountable to the general public.

Finally, whereas, the libertarian does not entertain any kind of government involvement, in the social responsibility the government can sometime issue out laws and regulations if the public interest is not being served. For instance, in Ghana the government introduced the criminal libel law to safeguard the reputation of innocent citizens who were being defamed recklessly by the media.

References: Joseph R. Dominic, Dynamics of Mass Communications

Kimberly K. Massey, Mass Communication

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana

National Media Commission, Broadcasting Standards

Baran and Davies, Mass Communication Theory