Sir John Reith Sir John Reith was the first Director General of the BBC, and he had
particularly strong views on broadcasting as having a cultural and
moral responsibility as a means of educating and informing the masses.
He once famously stated –
‘It is occasionally indicated to us that we are apparently setting out
to give the public what we think they need- and not what they want –
but few know what they want and very few what they need. In any case
it is better to overestimate the mentality of the public than to
underestimate it. He who prides himself on giving what he thinks the
public wants is often creating a fictitious demand for lower standards
which he himself will then satisfy’ (1924)
This statement is one which has caused much controversy throughout
the years that Reith headed the BBC, and this essay will attempt to
discuss the BBC as an institution, the reasons that the BBC felt they
had a cultural responsibility to society, the arguments in favour of
the Reithian views and those in opposition, and the role in this of
media policy.
The BBC was formed in 1922 and was known then as the British
Broadcasting Company. It began as a radio broadcaster with a
commercial mission, and the manager at this time was John Reith, an
engineer. In 1927, the company became the British Broadcasting
Corporation, and Reith was knighted in the same year. Nine years
later, in 1936, the BBC began its television service. According to
Gorman and McLean, ‘(the BBC’s) approach to television was heavily
influenced by John Reith’s defin...
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...that they can continue to fulfil this aim.
To conclude, it is clear to see why the BBC traditionally felt they
had a cultural aim to educate society. Not everyone has access to
education, and in this sense it is important that there are provisions
for less privileged communities to gain information about things that
are happening in the world. It is also important that there is a
provider of unbiased information in the media, so that people can make
informed decisions and become better citizens. Whilst there are some
who disagree with what they believe to be an ‘elitist’ approach to
programming taken by the BBC, the BBC does still try to provide for
all tastes and minority groups, without the aim of making as much
money as they can, and the fact that they are funded by the license
fee helps to make this possible.
There were many occasions in history wherein the French and English Canadians have clashed but the first major historical event to tear the relationship into pieces was the Northwest Rebellion. The French Canadians regarded the Northwest Rebellion a noble cause and Louis Riel a hero who stood up to protect the rights of the French-speaking Métis. The English saw the rebellion as a threat to Canada's sovereignty and Riel as a traitor.
Sir John A. Macdonald was one of Canada's founding fathers. He is most remembered as being Canada's first Prime Minister, running the government from July 1, 1867 until November 5, 1873. Macdonald would become Prime Minister once again on October 17, 1878 and would stay in this position until June 6,1891. While he was leader of the country he faced his own share of political obstacles, including Confederation, the Metis rebellion and threats of an American he is among the greatest leaders Canada has ever seen and played a significant part in the forming of Canada as a country.
In the minds of most Americans, the name of Paul Revere forever conjures up the image of the lone patriotic rider shrouded in the darkness of the New England night. His mission: to inform the countryside that the Regulars are coming. On this night, the fate of the natural rights of all men in the new world seemed to rest on his shoulders. As terrifically romantic as this thought may be, it is far from the truth. Revere's midnight ride was anything but the heroics of just one man; rather, it can be much better summarized as the collective effort and doings of all New England Whigs. (ANB)
This also parallels the way that society functions at times, where it is perceived that the need of the many outweighs the needs of the few or of the one. While this is sometimes correct, it can often be a road leading to disaster, especially if lives are thrown away or ignored for the sake of a fool's venture.
The most manageable way to approach such an intricate and abstruse concept such as public order is to first establish it as a means...
Imagine being back in the colony of Massachusetts before the Revolutionary war. As you walk down the streets of Boston, you meet a young man named Johnny Tremain. After listening to his story, you think of the different ways you could describe him. You could describe him by his looks, by his personality, and by the talents he portrays. His character is so interesting that it's hard to describe his skilled talents, his complex personality, and his adored physical features.
This is better explained by the public servant knowing why he is doing the job and who it is benefiting, socially, and how he is impacting and making a change for the better in their own mind, personal. In the first two “chapters” of Caught between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to
"One if by land, two if by sea"- the supposed famous words spoken by Paul Revere to Colonel William Conant, an American soldier stationed in the steeple of the North Church in Boston, waiting to send the signal of the proposed path of the British invasion on April 18, 1775 to Paul Revere. According to the legend, Paul Revere was to be placed across the Boston Bay from the North Church waiting for the signal from Colonel Conant. The Colonel was to hang one lantern in the steeple of the church if the British showed signs of an invasion on land, or display two lanterns in the spire if evidence existed a sea invasion by the British. Once Paul Revere saw the two signal lanterns hanging in the steeple, signaling the imminent approach by sea of the British forces, he began his ride from Charlestown to Lexington to Concord, warning the citizens of these towns of an approaching British invasion. So began the famed "midnight ride of Paul Revere," a ride which warned the colonists of a forthcoming revolution that would shape the future of America.
To promote citizen ownership by involving them directly in the justice process, providing opportunities for
...lic relations disaster that is the net, in some ways is the fundamental are really good?” The fundamental of what we need is what can be achieved. Public Relations cannot only be accomplished by higher individuals. It can be best achieved through someone who has experience with it first-hand. It should be accomplished. From my past to my present I can identify with those just want more for themselves and their families.
government’s ability to hold true to its true purpose, which is to establish a government
a need for a good not yet acquired or possessed.” In other words we want what
want, but also with what they don’t realize they want. Based on this, our product
Policies taken by the respective Governments of each and every country in the world are an important aspect of our life whether we choose it or not. Policies are normally adopted to solve major problems faced by the public. It is the duty of the State to see to it that the problems are solved keeping the majority and at the same time ensuring proper justice is done and ethically on the right side of it. So, it is important that there be a public policy and it matters that they need to cater to the majority and aid them by providing solutions to their problems and ensure a smooth functioning of the state. And as a citizen of the nation, public policy matters to me because it provides me a platform to assess the decisions taken by the state on behalf of the nation and with proper knowledge people like us can aid in the betterment of the society by providing inputs or question the policy if it seems improbable.
Public policy can be defined as “What ever governments choose to do or not do” (Dye, 2008, p 2). In the context of this essay, public policies are a set of actors by the government in order to reach out to the masses. The ministries and departments are mandated to deliver specific mandates in the form of public goods and services.