5.2 Media and Culture

Version 1.3 June 2017                                   (Previous Version)

This Chapter discusses the various media used to construct and transmit artistic and cultural works, with a special focus on how we transmit and obtain news and current affairs information that affects our beliefs and values.  Chapter 5.1 focusses on the arts and culture, rather than news.

It is difficult to control the news media and communications companies, for a number of reasons:

●   We generally support freedom of speech as a defense against corruption and tyranny;

●   Media companies are often large, foreign owned and foreign controlled;

●   It is hard for small media companies to remain competitive and financially viable;

●   Elected politicians are wary of upsetting media owners, who may turn voters against them.

On the other hand, national governments do have the authority, power and duty to control the media:

●   Most countries have laws preventing the disclosure of military or state secrets, censor depictions of violent sex, and provide access to the courts for cases involving libel and slander;

●   Some countries have laws opposing vilification of minorities;

●   Too many countries have laws against blasphemy or laws against criticizing the rulers;

●   In too many countries, the media is controlled by the government or the politicians.

So the principle that governments should control the media to some extent is widely accepted.  The discussion concerns where the line is drawn and what content is of legitimate concern.  It is difficult to foresee the ways in which the expanding use of electronic communications, via TV, the Internet, computers, and so on, will change the way we learn about the world and react to it.  But there are reasonable principles for better control the media, and we all need to be better media consumers.

We propose to look at media and culture under the following headings:

1. Technologies:	How does the media used to transmit ideas affect their impact?
2. Media Controls:	How can societies control media, and to what extent should we?
3. Media Producers:	Can publishers improve their product?	Is it reasonable to break down this area into these topics at this level? Click on feedback, or add a comment below, to tell us if you agree or disagree, or suggest improvements.
4. Political Censorship:	When is government censorship OK?
5. Cultural Taboos:	Should we censor sex and violence?
6. Balance:	Can multiple outlets provide balance?
7. Media Consumers:	Can we improve our news consumption?

As stated in the chapter overview, this is the current summary of our conclusions in this area:

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