The Influence Of Media Ownership

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Media ownership matters because the media is a powerful tool that can be used to influence a whole society. When the media is in the hands of five companies, it becomes dangerous because they essentially control what we see in television, in the newspaper, on the streets, etc. Right now, the media is dominated by five companies: Time Warner, Walt Disney Company, Viacom, News Corporation, and Bertelsmann AG. These five conglomerates own various companies in different industries. Media conglomerates are companies that companies in various forms of mass media. For example, Walt Disney Company owns Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, Hollywood Records, five stations on ESPN Radio, Disney on Ice, Marvel Entertainment, ABC Television Network, ABC News, ABC Sports, Disney Channel, ESPN, ABC Family, Disneyland resorts in multiple countries, and much more. Time Warner owns Warner Bros. Pictures, the CW Television Network, HBO, …show more content…

Berlusconi, an important figure in Italian broadcasting and publishing, used media to win over the public. As the owner of television networks, he was able to get four times the exposure of other candidates on television. As prime minister, he had the right to replace the board of directors of three television channels, and therefore, able to control 90% of Italian television programming. Using media, he continued to win elections and stay as the prime minister. Michael Bloomberg, a media entrepreneur, became rich from selling technology to businesses. He used to newfound popularity to become the mayor for New York in 2001. Similarly, in present day, Donald Trump uses his widespread recognition of the Trump business and his celebrity status to influence the public to vote for him as president in the 2016 presidential elections. Through private media ownership, these three businessmen were able to gain political

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