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Authoritarian theory of the press
Definition
Political system that expects people to obey leaders and minimizes their freedom of speech, assembly, and access to information that would be critical of government or disruptive to the establishment. Media may be independently owned, but are subjected to numerous controls, including prior restraint, licensing, and laws against sedition.
Autonomy
Definition
An idea that refers to the capacity to be one’s own person, to live one’s life according to reasons and motives that are taken as one’s own and not the product of manipulative or distorting external forces. Source: Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Commission on the Freedom of the Press
Definition
Also known as the Hutchins Commission; its public report released in 1947 aimed to assess media organizations controlled by an oligopoly of companies accused of being concerned only with profits and wielding power. Theorizes that: 1) whoever enjoys freedom has certain obligations to society, and 2) society’s welfare becomes the most overriding concern.
Communist theory of the press
Definition
Political system that in theory does not differentiate among social classes, abolishes private property, and distributes wealth equally among citizens. The media are essentially an arm of the government.
Cultural relativism
Definition
Belief that each culture is entitled to its own standards and should be assessed on its own terms; principle that an individual human’s beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of his or her own culture. (See “Relativism”)
Democratic socialist theory of the press
Definition
Combines Marxist ideals and writings of classic libertarians; recognizes the uniqueness of a fully developed media system that has been given free rein in a laissez-faire marketplace but frowns on increased monopolies and concentration of media ownership. (“Laissez-faire” suggests meaning to let people do as they think best, and government should not interfere.)
Democratic socialist theory of the press
Definition
Combines Marxist ideals and writings of classic libertarians; recognizes the uniqueness of a fully developed media system that has been given free rein in a laissez-faire marketplace but frowns on increased monopolies and concentration of media ownership. (“Laissez-faire” suggests meaning to let people do as they think best, and government should not interfere.)
Developmental theory of the press
Definition
Media theory reflecting modern nationalist and political independence movements; it draws from socialist thought and development principles. Media personnel are often expected to be “cheerleaders” for the developing nation-state.
First Amendment
Definition
U.S. Constitution’s assurance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, no establishment of religion, and the right of the people to peacefully assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Hutchins Commission— see “Commission on the Freedom of the Press”
Definition
Also known as the Hutchins Commission; its public report released in 1947 aimed to assess media organizations controlled by an oligopoly of companies accused of being concerned only with profits and wielding power. Theorizes that: 1) whoever enjoys freedom has certain obligations to society, and 2) society’s welfare becomes the most overriding concern.
Laissez-faire
Definition
Allows industry to be free of government restriction, especially restrictions in the form of tariffs and government monopolies. It means “Government should not interfere.”
Libertarian theory of the press
Definition
Political system in which people are free to think, behave, and communicate as they want.
Locke, John
Definition
English libertarian philosopher who articulated the theory that justified revolution against tyranny and gave the British parliament supremacy over the king. A highly influential moral reformer, Locke advocated Christian ethics, social contract theory, and natural rights of life, liberty, and property.
Machiavelli, Niccolo
Definition
Italian philosopher who advocated strong central government and said, “The ends justify the means.” Machiavelli may have grazed at the fringes of philosophy, but the impact of his musings has been widespread and lasting. His writings are maddeningly and notoriously unsystematic, inconsistent, and sometimes self-contradictory. He is best known for his treatises on realist political theory (The Prince) on the one hand and republicanism (Discourses on Livy) on the other. The terms “Machiavellian” or “Machiavellism” are used by philosophers concerned with a range of ethical, political, and psychological phenomena. Source: FreeDictionary, Standard Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Mill, John Stuart
Definition
English libertarian philosopher who viewed liberty as the right of mature individuals to think and act as they please, so long as they harm no one else in the process. He is credited with developing the most sophisticated theory of utilitarianism
Milton, John
Definition
English libertarian poet who wrote the speech Areopagitica, which called for an open marketplace of ideas and the self-righting process.
Prior restraints
Definition
Censorship or other measures that prevent communications from reaching the public.
Revolutionary theory of the press
Definition
Media are instruments of radical change, bringing about or supporting a political or social revolution.
Sedition
Definition
Criticism of the state; an illegal resistance against authority and tendency to cause disruption or overthrow the government. Behavior that is intended to persuade other people to oppose their government.
Social responsibility theory of the press
Definition
Media operate within a political system that is an extension of libertarianism and grants freedom “for” specific acts, rather than merely “freedom from” restraints. It is the basis for modern media ethics.
Yellow journalism
Definition
Journalism described as sensational or otherwise untruthful that is designed to scare some readers and draw larger audiences. The term comes from the Yellow Kid comic, which appeared in sensationalist newspapers beginning in the 1890s.
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