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How democracy influences the media
Impact of media as social institution on society and individual
Impact of media as social institution on society and individual
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Diversity is a prominent feature of Canadian society and the mass media – such as broadcasting and print news media. Canadians are not only multicultural and diverse in race, ethnicity, gender, disability, language and age, but are also diverse in terms of viewpoints and perspectives (Dewing 4). In her 2008 chapter, “How Are Immigrants Seen – And What Do They Want to See? Contemporary Research on the Representation of Immigrants in the Canadian English-Language Media,” Minelle Mahtani argues, “Canadian media have the power to create social agendas, construct ideologies, frame social issues, providing the lens through which Canadians view themselves and their fellow citizens” (Mahtani 232). In other words, the mass media shape our identities …show more content…
As a result, the mass media also play a pivotal role in the proper functioning of democracy. In Des Freedman’s 2008 book, The Politics of Media Policy, he asserts that “[i]n a liberal democracy, citizens require free and unfettered access to information and a full range of views if they are to make informed judgements about issues in the public sphere” (Freedman 7). That is, Canadian democracy thrives when citizens have access – through the mass media – to a wide range of diverse viewpoints and information needed to form their own comprehensive conclusions about issues of public concern and unite as a nation to generate possible solutions to these issues (Freedman …show more content…
Freedman argues that the individuals and groups who own and finance the mass media control media content – or the information that is available to the public (Freedman 106). One prominent issue that the Canadian media industries encounter is the excessive concentration of ownership in the mass media. In their 2014 article, “Media Ownership, Public Participation, and Democracy in the Canadian Mediascape,” Leslie Regan Shade and Michael Lithrow state that the concentration of ownership occurs when a tiny number of media corporations “end up (through mergers and acquisitions) owning the majority of media [outlets],” thus limiting the amount of information and content the public has exposure to (Shade & Lithrow 177). Moreover, the excessive concentration of ownership results in less competition in the mass media industries; an increase in the political and economic power of these concentrated media corporations; and a lack of diversity of viewpoints in the media content, as marginalized communities have little to no ownership or control of the mass media (Freedman 106; Shtern and Blake 89). Shade and Lithrow assert that Canada has “one of the most consolidated media systems in the world,” with four mass media corporations – BCE Inc. (Bell), Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Quebecor – owning and controlling a majority of the media outlets (Shade &
Multiculturalism policy was first adopted in Canada in 1971, which reaffirms the dignity and value of all its citizens regardless of ethnic origins, race, religious affiliations, or language. Part of this policy, Canada confirms the rights of all the aboriginals along with the recognition of two official languages. Indeed, multiculturalism has great importance since its main purpose is to give equal treatment to all the citizens (Daniel, 2010). It ensures that all individual citizens could still maintain their identities, and have pride with their ancestry. Through this initiative, the Canadian government was able to give their citizens a feeling of self-confidence, making them more open to their diverse cultures. The multiculturalism policy
Michael Parenti (2002) declares media in the United States is no longer “free, independent, neutral and objective.” (p. 60). Throughout his statement, Parenti expresses that media is controlled by large corporations, leaving smaller conglomerates unable to compete. The Telecommunications Act, passed in 1996, restricted “a single company to own television stations serving more than one-third of the U.S. public,” but is now overruled by greater corporations. (p. 61). In his opinion, Parenti reveals that media owners do not allow the publishing of stories that are not beneficial and advantageous. Parenti supports his argument very thoroughly by stating how the plutocracy takes control over media in multiple ways: television, magazines, news/radio broadcasting, and other sources.
Canada holds the same beliefs about pubic broadcasting as Lowe & Jauert (2005). As a nation that is not only democratic but multicultural and diverse, media influence plays a major role in bringing together and shaping the Canadian society. Howev...
Conflict theory claims that advertising does not sufficiently address issues of inequality in society. (Brime, Roberts, Lie, Rytina 2013, p.462) There are five major media outlets that form a monopoly of the media industry in Canada: CTVglobalmedia Inc. owned by Bell Canada, Rogers Communications Inc. Controlled by the Rogers family, Shaw Communications controlled by the Shaw family, CBC/Radio Canada, and Quebecor Inc. Controlled by the Péladeau family. (Brime, Roberts, Lie, Rytina 2013, p.462-463) CBC/Radio Canada is the only publicly owned media company in Canada, whereas, approximately 90% of the media in Canada is privately owned. (Brime, Roberts, Lie, Rytina 2013, p.464) This allows for 90% of advertising content to be chosen by wealthy corporations. In an American study, 93% of newspaper editors admitted to advertisers attempting to influence news stories and 37% admitted that advertisers have influenced their stories. (Brime, Roberts, Lie, Rytina 2013,
“Multiculturalism” entered public speech in the late 1960s and early 1970s in Canada that focused on unique cultural diversity, nationalities, and ethnicity across the nation. Multiculturalism and Immigration are important factors in the development of Canada to attain a strong multicultural example of economic stability, social and political growth which leads to the emergence of Canada’s identity and culture.
National Identity, TV, and CBC. A COMPASS Poll for CanWest Newspapers, Global TV, and the National Post. 1-39. Retrieved from http:// http://www.compas.ca/data /020429-NationalIdentityTVAndCBC-PC.pdf
Canada has long been called "The Mosaic", due to the fact that it is made up of a varied mix of races, cultures and ethnicities. As more and more immigrants come to Canada searching for a better life, the population naturally becomes more diverse. This has, in turn, spun a great debate over multiculturalism. Some of the issues under fire are the political state's policies concerning multiculturalism, the attitudes of Canadians around these policies, immigration, the global market, and a central point is the education and how to present the material in a way so as to offend the least amount of people. There are many variations on these themes as will be discussed in this paper.
Vipond, M. (2000). The Mass Media in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers.
Mixed race individuals have a long history within the world, particularly within Canada; and are a by-product of the continuous globalization and interaction of different ethnic groups caused by the influx of immigration to most Western countries. Consistently discussed within the media, the mixed race demographic of Canada is steadily expanding, and have admittedly created a more prominent emphasis on the importance of recognizing their demographic. The mixed race population within Canada has an influentially beneficial role within the nation, as is seen through their influence within history, Canada 's demographics, and media.
40 Fleras, Augie and John Lock Kunz. Media and Minorities: Representing Diversity in a Multicultural Canada. Toronto: Thompson Educational Publishing, 2001: 30.
The current issue of inadequacy of social inclusion of recent elderly immigrants in Canadian is directly related to the lack of a long-term, multi-dimensional and pan-Canadian
Mordecai Richler. These writers are not meant to represent any ethnic group as a whole,
Growing up with a diverse community makes you realize that Canada is growing and slowly becoming a Multicultural society. Multiculturalism as stated in the textbook, is defined as allowing and accepting different cultures and providing them encouragement and support to keep their culture and diverse traditions (Mintz et al. 2015, 34). In 1971, Canada became the first country in the world to adapt the official policy of multiculturalism. (Government of Canada. “Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship” 2012). Canada grants all residents of Canadian citizens regardless of their “racial or ethnic origins, their language, or their religious affiliation”. (Government of Canada. “Canadian Multiculturalism: An Inclusive Citizenship”
The effects of concentrated ownership in the Canadian newspaper industry Newspapers are rooted together with the public sphere, globalization, and mass media. The newspaper and the public sphere give citizens an opportunity to examine matters of public concern and global matters. Does this mean that those involved with the Canadian newspaper industry and ownership ultimately wield the power in Canadian society by exercising this influence to mold the Canadian opinion of readers (Wagenberg & Soderlund, 1975)? Historically, multiple independent newspapers existed, but this had significantly lessened over time with the rise of concentrated ownership in the newspaper industry. Canada has the most concentrated ownership of any country in the free
One of the fundamental roles of the media in a liberal democracy is to critically scrutinise governmental affairs: that is to act as a watchdog of government to ensure that the government can be held accountable by the public. However, the systematic deregulation of media systems worldwide is diminishing the ability of citizens to meaningfully participate in policymaking process governing the media (McChesney, 2003, p. 126). The relaxation of ownership rules and control, has resulted in a move away from diversity of production to a situation where media ownership is becoming increasing concentrated by just a few predominantly western global conglomerates (M...