NORMATIVE THEORIES:Authoritarian Theory, Libertarian Theory, Limitations

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Theories of Communication MCM 511

LESSON 05

NORMATIVE THEORIES

Our attention will be on the normative theory SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORY .As this is

predominantly used to guide and legitimize most large media in the world.

Social responsibility theory has emerged as seemingly as an ideal standard for media that further was

considered unnecessary. In the past 30 years although there has been an unprecedented growth and

consolidation of control in the media industries, and as a result, gigantic conglomerates dominate the

production and distribution of media content, they have found that SR theory provides practical

guidelines for their operations and legitimizes what they do.

We will contrast it with theories popular in different parts of the world. We will speculate about its

future, as new industries based on new media technologies emerge will social responsibility theory

continue to guide them or will alternative develop?

The origin of Normative Theories of Media

Before we go into details of SR theory first we will discuss other theories which ultimately led to SR

theory.

We will discuss

· Authoritarian Theory

· Libertarian Theory

· Chicago School

· Totalitarian media Theory.

· Civic or public journalism

Authoritarian Theory

Libertarian theory arose in opposition to Authoritarian theory- an idea that placed all forms of

communication under the control of a governing elite or authorities. Authorities justified their control as

a means to protect and preserve a divinely ordained social order.

In most of countries, this control rested in the hands of king who, in turn, granted royal charters or

licenses to media practitioners. These practitioners could be jailed for violating charters and charters or

licenses could be revoked. Censorship of all types, therefore, was easily possible.

Authoritarian control tended to be exercised in arbitrary, erratic ways.

Sometimes, considerable freedom might exist to publicize minority viewpoints and culture as long as

authorities didn't perceive a direct threat to their power.

Unlike Totalitarianism, authoritarian theory doesn't prioritize cultivation of a homogeneous, national

culture. it only requires acquiescence (compliance) to a governing elite.

Libertarian Theory

In rebelling against authoritarian theory early libertarians argued that there should be no laws governing

media operations. Free press means that all forms of media must be totally unregulated. Early

Libertarian argued that if individuals could be freed from arbitrary limits on communication imposed by

church and state, they would "naturally" follow the dictates of their conscience, seek truth, engage in

public debate, and ultimately create a better life for themselves and others. They believed strongly in the

power of unrestricted public debate and discussion to create more natural way of structuring society. In

AEROPAGETICA, a powerful libertarian published in 1644 by ,John Milton asserted that:

"In a fair debate good and truthful arguments will always win out over lies and deceit. If this is true it

followed , then a new and better social order could be forged using public debate."

This idea came to be referred to as MILTON'S SELF-RIGHTING PRINCIPLE, and is still cited by

contemporary media professionals. However, the author of Declaration of Independence, Thomas

Jefferson believed in the Self-righting principle so strongly that he once said:

Theories of Communication MCM 511

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers

without government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter."

The writing of Milton was developed in the North American colonies the support was found in writings

of John Stuart Mill who argued in ON LIBERTY, that

"The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race,

posterity as well as the existing generation, those who dissent from the opinion , even more than who

hold it .If the opinion is right , they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth; if

wrong, they lose what is almost as great a benefit , the clearer perception and livelier impression of

truth produced by its collision with error."

These libertarian ideals are also seen as the heart of the United States long-term experiment with

democratic self-government. The American Revolution against Britain was legitimized by libertarian

ideals. Patrick Henry's famous comment

"Give me liberty or Give me Death."

These libertarian principles were also adopted in the "Bill of Rights". (First 10 amendments to U.S.

constitution). It asserted that all individuals have natural rights no government, community, or group

can unduly infringe upon or take away. The ability to exercise dissent, to band together with others to

resist laws that people find to be wrong, to print or broadcast ideas, opinions and beliefs- all of these

rights are proclaimed as central to democratic self government.

Unfortunately, most early libertarians had a unrealistic view of how long it would take to find the

"truth" and establish an ideal social order. In the 18th century it became clear that "truth" couldn't be

quickly or easily established, some libertarians became discouraged. They drifted between libertarian

and authoritarian views. But despite the priority given to communication freedom, one sees number of

restrictions on communication, accepted by media practitioners and media consumers. Examples, Libel

laws to check the publication of information that will damage reputations. Laws against offensive

language, pornography, information that would interfere with a defendant's right to a fair trial.

Whenever new media technologies are invented, it is necessary to decide how they should be regulated.

The debate over communication freedom never ends, sometimes the balance shifts toward expanding

freedom and other times, freedom is curtailed.

The question is why it is necessary to place limits on communication freedom. The common reason

could be, where do the rights guaranteed to you by the constitution end and those of another begins?

What happens when groups attempt to stir up hatred and resentment against racial or ethnic minorities?

Should media practitioners be allowed to invade our homes, publish erroneous information about us, or

deceive us with false advertising? Do media professionals have the right to produce and distribute

anything that will earn profits, or should some limits be placed on them?

If so, who should place and enforce those limits? If laws are written to protect individuals from

irresponsible media, can these laws become a means of censoring the media?

These feelings were particularly developed in the United States in the 1800s, during the penny press and

yellow journalism eras. Public confidence in both business and government was shaken by recurring

depressions, widespread corruption and injustice. Public respect for newspapers also receded as

publishers pursued profits and created news to sell papers. Social movement sprang up to call for new

laws and greater government regulation. A group who believed in direct regulation of media, most often

by a government agency or commission. These include advocates of TECHNORATIC CONTROL,

people like Harold Lasswell and Walter Lippmann.

They argued that media practitioners can't be trusted to communicate responsibly or to use media to

serve vital public needs. Some sought of oversight or control is necessary to ensure that important needs

are satisfied. The views of these advocates were considered most seriously during times of crisis when

we need media to serve specific needs

Theories of Communication MCM 511

Anti-trust legislation was enacted. Libertarians feared that these laws and regulations would go too far,

they sought to rekindle public support for liberation ideals. So they developed an idea of SELF

REGULATING MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS. And hence, formed a NEW FORM OF RADICAL

LIBERTARIANISM.

Self-regulating marketplace of ideas

In libertarianism, the notion that ideas should be put before the public, and from that "marketplace' the

public will choose the best. This idea is a variation of a fundamental principle of capitalism- the notion

of self-regulating market. In classical capitalist theory as formulated by Adam Smith, there is little need

for the government to regulate markets. An open and competitive marketplace should regulate itself. If a

product is in high demand, prices will "naturally" rise as consumers compete to buy it. This encourages

other manufacturers to produce the product. Once demand is met by increased manufacturing, the price

falls. If one manufacturer charges too much for a product, then competitors will cut their prices to attract

buyers. No government interference is necessary to protect consumers or to force manufacturers to meet

consumer needs. Another term used to refer to these ideas is the Laissez-faire doctrine.

Laissez-faire doctrine

The idea that government shall allow business to operate freely and without official intrusion. The same

idea of `free marketplace of ideas' when applied to mass media it meant that if ideas are `traded' freely

among people, the correct or best ideas will prevail. The ideas compete and the best will be `bought'. So

in the media system the marketplace of ideas meant that if someone comes up with a good idea and then

transmits it through some form o mass communication. And people like the message. Then people buy

the message, pay for its production and distribution costs.

Once these costs are covered, the message produce earns a profit. If people are wise message

consumers, then the producers of the best and most useful messages will become rich and develop large

media enterprises while the producers of bad messages will fail. If good ideas succeed these ideas

should become more easily available at lower cost. Similarly bad ideas cost should rise and access to

them should lessen.

And eventually truth should triumph as envisioned by the early libertarians.

Limitations

But there are some difficulties in applying logic. As media content is far less tangible than other

consumer products. The meaning of individual messages can vary tremendously form one person to the

next. Just what is being traded when news stories or television dramas are bought and sold? When we

buy newspapers we don't buy individual stories we also buy other features which we might find

offensive but others might not.

Advertisers buy time on the TV shows; they do not necessarily buy the rightness or correctness of the

program's ideas. Sponsors pay more to advertise on programs with large audiences. If the advertiser

support permits bad messages to be distributed for free-maybe people are less discriminating if they

don't have to directly pay to receive these messages? So the media market place is a bit more

complicated than the marketplace for toothpaste, and shampoos.

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