MC 4090 Lecture : MC 4090 Notes
Document Summary
What is the purpose of the media: inform, entertain, communicate. 1960s: supreme court changes libel law, particularly for public officials and matters of public concern. 1970s: watergate leads to more confrontation between government and media: growing concern over large libel awards. 1970s/1980s: news councils form as alternative to courts. 1980s: libel reform proposed, retraction, declaratory judgment, then damages trial. 2000s: news councils close for lack of media support. Media accountability: the american media"s accountability system is based on retaining a balance between honoring the first amendment and freedom of the press/speech, while effectively holding the media accountable. In the liberal media market such as the us, self regulation is the only acceptable form of control mechanism according to classic liberalism : codes of conduct exist as a means of improving a company"s credibility. Some are enforced or exist for the sake of appearances. 1947 hutchins commission: a public inquiry into the behavior of the press.
