Politics & TV 3

Relationship Between Politics and TV

  • Focus on understanding political TV.

  • Identify key agents of political TV, primarily media corporations.

Key Agents of Political TV

  • Media Corporations:

    • They create and distribute content regarded as political TV, including news, interviews, satire, etc.

    • Corporations are the main actors responsible for political media output.

Changes in Media Corporations

Vertical Integration

  • Media corporations have engaged in vertical integration:

    • This involves acquiring various stages of production, such as:

    • TV production companies.

    • Editing stations.

    • Training studios.

    • Result: Corporations control the entire process from content creation to distribution.

Horizontal Integration

  • Corporations have also pursued horizontal integration:

    • Expanding into different media formats beyond TV, such as:

    • Radio.

    • Online streaming services.

    • Example: Time Warner's expansion includes:

    • Ownership of print magazines.

    • Film and entertainment production.

    • Subsidiaries include Turner companies, Warner Brothers Studios, HBO, and Time Incorporated.

Media Empire Building

  • Media corporations are seen as building empires:

    • Going beyond simple integration to create overarching power structures.

    • This allows for:

    • Control of the media message.

    • Regulation of the content being investigated.

    • Example: Disney as a model of empire building:

    • Oversee various media networks, parks, resorts, and consumer products.

    • Control multiple narratives across various platforms, influencing political TV output aligned with corporate values.

Impact of Corporate Control on Political Messaging

  • Democratic implications of media ownership:

    • Corporations can project certain political messages while suppressing others.

    • Example of Disney's influence on themes in shows like Scandal.

    • Decisions by corporations can shape public perception and narrative priorities in political discourse.

Concentration of Ownership

  • Graphic representation of concentration of ownership in global networks:

    • Key players include:

    • Alphabet (Google).

    • Disney.

    • Comcast.

    • 21st Century Fox (owned by Disney).

    • Facebook.

    • Not limited to the US; this trend is global affecting media ownership and message dissemination.

Theoretical Concepts: Primary Definers

  • Primary Definers:

    • Concept introduced by Stuart Hall.

    • Refers to political and corporate leaders who set the agenda on discussion topics.

    • Important implications include:

    • Define what is worthy of public discussion and interest.

    • Control the narrative around critical political issues.

    • Influence media outlets, including satire and comedy shows.

    • Example: Broadcast standards affecting shows like The Daily Show or the Colbert Report.

Political Engagement Through Media

  • Primary definers also influence how the news is reported.

  • Control over narratives can lead to biases in coverage.

    • Example: Political comedy reacts to narratives set by politicians or media, often critiquing absurdities dictated by primary definers.

Fragmentation of Audience and Democratization of News

  • Changing landscape with a fragmented audience may disrupt traditional primary define roles.

  • More diverse sources of information allow for democratization of news.

  • Case Example: BuzzFeed's influence on political reporting, showing how online platforms can initiate significant news stories.

  • Political narratives are being formed through various channels, potentially leading to a broader discussion environment.

  • Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) contribute to narrative formation by providing alternative views and criticisms of political events.

Summary of Critical Aspects

  • Understanding the interaction between corporate ownership and the political landscape is essential for analyzing how political TV is affected.

  • The role of primary definers and their agendas shape public discourse, whereas public fragmentation offers new avenues for political expression and critique.

  • Conclusion: The landscape of political TV is complex, marked by corporate power, integration strategies, and the evolving nature of news and media engagement.