Power of Media and Industries

James Curran and Jean Seaton's Theory:

'Diversity is in the public interest- But modern societies suffer from the collective attention deficit disorders' 'The public interest has to work harder to be noticed, and we need agile but resourceful media to do that'.

Monopoly: Exclusive ownership or control of something. e.g: Stagecoach

Conglomerate: A large corporation consisting of multiple smaller companies.

Subsidiary: A smaller company owned by a larger corporation.

Vertical integration: A particular corporation works as an individual company. For example Universal cinemas only showing their films in the past. 

Disney is an example of the 'Big Six' media conglomerates.

A benefit of conglomerates is that they can get involved in as many forms and genres of media they wish.

Curran and Seaton on monopoly:

'It extends their range of business and political connections, increases their corporations's prestige and, through judicious editorial appointments, contributes to the maintenance of public opinion favourable to private enterprise'.

Conglomerates are primarily driven by the logic of profit and power.

An issue with conglomerates is that smaller companies are lost.

Rupert Murdoch is a fair right wing elderly Australian man.

Conglomeration allows manipulation of the audience. For example Rupert Murdoch owns The Sun and Fox, therefore he can use one company to advertise/support another while being able to criticise opposing companies.

Curran and Seaton's power and media industries theory is a negative view on large companies owning multiple small companies (conglomerates). Power without responsibility.