Is the Media Oligopoly Destroying Democracy?

For my research paper, I discussed the current ownership of the American media industry and how this industry has evolved over recent decades. The rapid and dramatic consolidation of ownership among powerful conglomerates has culturally redefined this country’s culture and values primarily through film, music and television. These popular mediums have significant impact on the well being of democracy, targeting the public as consumers as instead of informed citizens.
Television and film has evolved dramatically, glorifying socially sensitive issues and stigmas through the magnification and liberal use of these themes, such as promiscuity, drugs and violence. Audiences are able to inconsequentially enjoy socially unacceptable behaviours vicariously through the stars of reality television, drawing wide appeal and high ratings. Mega conglomerates controlling the media focus on high ratings and high profits, paying attention to what factors encourage the public to consume. The exploitation of socially sensitive issues is changes the values of the public, neglecting the importance of a citizenry.
Music is an important medium associated with artistic expression, historically defining culture through inspirational songs and artists. The music industry has become an oligopoly, controlled by conglomerates that have transformed art into business and artists into celebrities, primarily for marketing products and brands. Music, film and television have become mediums for not only entertainment, but a strategic collaboration of the media owners to distract the public from important social and political issues with advertisements, product placements and the importance of consumerism.
The quality and diversity of media content has been severely impacted, coming from a very narrow source of companies with objectives to exploit the public for increasing wealth, power and control. The mega conglomerates are giving audiences what they believe audiences like, and audiences are being submissive and accepting of the content that is provided without question. The failure for the public to take advantage of innovative mediums, such as the Internet, that have immense potential power for individuals to become involved is aids the dominant conglomerates in defeating public democracy with the transition into a consumer-based society.

To learn more about the American media industry and the impact on democracy, watch Bill Moyers special on the FCC Media Consolidation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sbJk1MurCk

The Persuaders

From watching the video, “The Persuaders,” I realized how careful individuals must be when they read the newspapers and watch news on the television. Famous consultants, such as Frank Luntz, believe they understand what is at the center core of humans, and what specifically drives individuals to buy and what affects individuals through research and strategy. Frank Luntz came up with several famous headlines, such as “War on Terror” and the “Death Tax.” Frank Luntz believes this is just another way of saying “War on Iraq” and the “Estate Tax,” but it seems considerably clear that Luntz understands these carefully chosen words that have impact on audiences are used to take advantage of individuals through scare tactics and misguided information.
Too many Americans don’t understand domestic issues because they are reading papers and watching news programs that are full of misleading slogans. The famous headline “The War on Terror” leaves individuals scared, depending on any higher political power to save them from this frightening and intimidating “War on Terror.” Too many individuals fail to understand the issue with more depth because the headlines seem to say enough for some. The public is easily persuaded, especially through mediums suchs as television and the newspapers, which is concerning because these are sources where the public shouldn’t have to worry about manipulative campaigning and bias and misleading news. The public needs objective news, especially from popular and widely used mediums, otherwise the public wont be able to trust anything they read or hear.

Advertising content

Advertisement in today's media has an overwhelmingly significant role in society's culture. Advertisements are posted and exhibited through virtually every medium of information, including billboards, radio, television, movies, magazines, newspapers etc,. Every individual in society is affected by advertisements because everybody is being constantly exposed to media advertisements. The impact of advertisements today is extremely controversial in regards to the content and the motivations from producers of the products being advertised and the advertisement agencies, which can be very profitable with advertisement being an essential part of a business.
The content in today's advertisement is especially controversial because there is the objective for advertisers to grab the attention of the audiences and promote the product in a desirable light. Methods for this are very eye-catching, with strong emphasis on sex, violence and other cultural stigmas that are being exploited in advertisements with the security of free speech and freedom of expression. Although freedom and liberties are very important and should arguably not be de-regulated under many circumstances, but the effects of negative and inappropriate content in advertisements are having a negative impact on society, glorifying behaviours and attitudes that are unhealthy. Children and teenagers, who are more deeply impacted and influenced by media, have a more materialistic attitude, seen solely as consumers to advertisers. Advertisers have resources, strategies and research tools to target specific interest groups for products in the most profitable ways, which questions their motives and principles when advertising products to individuals. Are the methods and approaches used in advertising appropriate for the viewers? In many cases, not. Should there be an intervention of government regulations to ensure that there is some decency and morality in advertisements? It would seem imperative in a constantly product-consuming society that is losing touch with its values.

Channel 1

I have never heard of Channel 1, which is surprising since apparently this program is viewed by millions of teenagers across the nation every morning. After watching the channel one program in lecture the other day, I was shocked by the lack of subtlety of blatant advertisements targeting teens, who are easily influenced. The primary sponsor, Cingular, suggested that teens are like zombies without the ownership of a cell phone and teenagers are encouraged to pressure their parents for material commodities such as this to be socially accepted. Although it seems as though Channel One is a program dedicated to educating students about important current global issues, the priorities of the network are clearly commercial advertisements.
I feel that it is frightening how much emphasis is placed on the power of purchasing and the desire for people to own as much "stuff" as possible and to buy the newest, latest and greatest product in the market. New innovations are put out onto the market all the time, encouraging people to constantly by the newest and updated technologies. Individuals in this society are being turned into consumer zombies, surrounded by advertisements telling them they need to buy certain products to make them feel a certain way and to be socially accepted. Even through a program that is supposed to target kids and educate them on important global issues, Channel One dedicates more airtime promoting products. It is frightening living in a society that places so much emphasis and importance on the economy and how much people are spending and buying. There are more important concerns in the world today that need the same, if not more, amount of attention, and the media is an important factor in spreading this message and informing citizens about current issues as opposed to advertisements for Cingular's most popular featured phone of the moment.

The Internet

The accessibility of the internet to the entire country is an important necessity that is denied to a surprisingly high proportion of the United States. Although some may not consider the internet to be an essential and necessary tool for living and survival, the internet is an important means for success and thriving in this country. The internet allows access to a seemingly infinite amount of information that can give individuals the ability to educate themselves and stay on top of current issues and events. In addition, the internet is being used increasingly more in jobs and in educational institutions. The internet is arguably the most useful and powerful resource one can use for everyday life.
Politically, the internet is an important way for individuals to be acknowledged and share their opinions with others. The internet gives everyone a voice, allowing more freedom and anonymity. The internet gives an individual the chance to contribute to society through this mass medium. Without the access to internet, millions of voices are not heard.
I feel that the internet should be affordable or even free to the entire country. As this world becomes increasingly dependent on the internet for jobs, relationships, research etc., denying the ability to access the internet would put those denied at a significant disadvantage in this society.
This is a generation of technological advancement that should give everyone the right and ability to experience and advantage from important inventions, specifically in reference to the internet.

Pirating

The piracy of movies, music and general entertainment is actively and commonly practiced globally, robbing the movie industry of potential royalties and profits. Although pirating is highly illegal and is technically considered stealing, I honestly feel that downloading music and purchasing bootleg DVDs shouldn't be handled with such authority and severity. Today, the average price for a DVD is $20, and the average price for a theater ticket is $8, which are expenses too costly for a majority of people. Entertainment has become a highly profitable industry that has turned this form of art into a commodity and monopoly, depriving audiences of a more creative and diverse variety of entertainment and maximizing profits by keeping costs excessively high.
Music and theater are culturally and historically forms of expression that are shared with others for meaning and enjoyment. Pirating and illegally downloading music may be considered stealing, but in my opinion, entertainment has been stolen from this culture by strong emphasis on capitalism. When individuals can hardly make enough income to pay rent and utilities, how are the majority of individuals expected to purchases one movie for $20? Downloading music and movies is arguably balancing out the exorbitantly high prices that the entertainment industry has been charging to consumers. I feel that it is unacceptable for purity and the artistic element of music and film to be turned into products for market. Individuals should have the right to listen, watch and enjoy different forms of art and media without being taken advantage of with high prices. Music and film is being exploited for its ability to make profit.

Cultural Imperialism

The United States, arguably being the most dominant and influential country in the world, has had a significant imposition of media on countries globally. There is a great scale of popularity in regards to US music, movies and television, but the agreement that US entertainment is a negative influence on other countries has been universal. Cultural imperialism is defined as corrupting the cultures of other countries with American values. These values are clearly evident through the constant and strong focus on sex, drugs and war. Cultural stigmas and taboos are glorified, and taken to extremes that often push the limit of what many consider appropriate and necessary. It doesn't seem surprising that the majority of other countries dislike American influence in their media. The US has great impact on audiences all over the world, in terms of business and culture, making US programming easily accessible to viewers in other countries. In regards to public television and media, the US is much more liberal and open to what types of shows they allow to air, posing unwanted and unneeded material on global televisions.
When I travel to Singapore annually to visit family, I am always surprised by how many American shows air on Singapore public television. I have seen Friends, Lost, Surviver, American Idol and even American CNN on constantly, proving the incredible influence the US has on small countries on the other side of the world. Personally, I find cultural imperialism a true problem in this world, because television and entertainment are extremely powerful tools, which the US is taking full advantage of. There is an excessive focus on sex and drugs and less focus on world news and more important global and even domestic issues. I feel that if the majority of other countries would prefer not to have US media in their countries, then the US needs to be more respectful of these wishes because business isn't nearly as important as cultural values and traditions.