THE PRESS AND THE NORMATIVE THEORIES
DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE LIBERTARIAN AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORIS OF THE PRESS IN RELATION TO THE CONDUCT OF THE MEDIA IN GHANA.
The libertarian theory of the press was developed in England and the U.S.A. after1688. This theory takes the philosophical view that man is rational and able to discern between truth and falsehood and therefore can choose between a better and worse alternative. Libertarians believe that individuals should have complete freedom of action, provided their actions do not infringe on the freedom of others. (Ref: Britannica concise encyclopaedia)
The chief purpose of this theory is to inform, entertain, sell- but chiefly to help discover truth, and to check on government. In the libertarian theory the media was controlled by self-righting process of truth in a free market place of ideas and by the court. The theory gives way for the media to be owned by private individuals. The theory sought for press freedom and objectivity. The press was used as a platform for expression of divergent opinions.
The libertarian theory was an instrument which was used to check on government and the media was used to meet the needs of society. The media was seen as a market place where ideas were exchanged as commodities where the people had the freedom to choose what they wanted to hear or read. What the theory offers is power without responsibility.
Unlike the libertarian theory, the social responsibility theory was developed in the 20th century and practiced in the U.S.A. The chief purpose of this theory is to inform, entertain and sell but chiefly to raise conflict to the plane of discussion. The SRT provides for private ownership of the mass media. Regulations were put in place to promote cultural and political pluralism. The theory is particular about the professionalism of the job (journalism)
In his speech in 1940, the Commission on the Freedom of the Press stated that, ‘it is the press that must be the “more alert” and keep the public informed, for an informed populace is the corner stone of democracy’.
The theory does not deny the rationality of man; rather man is viewed as capable of using his reason to search for the truth. Therefore the press which is seen as the more alert element of the community is to guide man in searching for the truth.
The press is to determine which persons, which facts, which versions of the facts shall reach the public. The press therefore, is to practise responsible journalism to the general welfare of the public. The press is to be sincere, truthful, and impartial, play fairly, be decent and respect individual privacy.
Siebert, Peterson and Schramm noted that the press is supposed to be socially responsible. The media should see that all sides are fairly presented so that the public can have enough information to decide on. (Ref: Britannica Concise Encyclopaedia)
In this theory, the media is controlled by community opinion, consumer action and professional ethics. (Ref: theories of press chapter 12 ‘ethics’). In this theory, the media must assume obligation of social responsibility, and if they do not someone must see that they do.
As seen in both theories, the media’s main role in the society is to act as a watchdog. The media is to bring to light all wrongs and rights and to act as check on government, individuals, social groups and other institutions. But who is to bring the media to task? The society. Society yearns for the truth and it is therefore the media’s responsibility to bring out the hidden truth.
The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana granted the media its freedom and independence where the media was given a platform to express opinions and views and to report tactfully. The constitution also gave way for the media to be established and owned by private individuals and prevented the media from being controlled or interfered by government.
The constitution mandates the media to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the Ghanaian populace. Therefore the media is to check the government and its operations. The constitution also made way for the establishment of the national media commission to promote and ensure that there is freedom and independence of the media. The commission is also to put in regulations for the registrations of newspapers and other publications. The regulation is not to control or direct the professional functions of a newspaper.
In Ghana, although the freedom of the press is guaranteed, the media is tasked to be responsible in its dissemination of information. Unfortunately, this freedom has caused for the establishment of many newspapers and radio stations that are not going according to the laid down proceedings of the national media commission.
The media is supposed to go according to the ABC of journalism. The media is supposed to be accurate, balanced and credible in its reportage. The media is not supposed to be biased.
In Ghana, an organised body called the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has been established. And this body has drawn up code of ethics which is supposed to serve as a ready guide to members of the association in the state owned media, private media and local freelance journalist.
The code is meant to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behaviour in carrying out their duties. (Ref: GJA code of ethics: preamble.)
The code also mandates members to play their watchdog role with a high sense of responsibility without infringing on the rights of individuals and the society in general.
Looking at the standards set by the National Media Commission and the GJA, the media is supposed to adhere to the SRT as propounded by Siebert, Paterson and Schramm. The theory puts in place measures that the media is to follow in its service to the public:
The media is to beware that the people have the right to true information.
The media should have respect for national and ethnic values. There should be no discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, colour, creed, gender, or sexual orientation since this can lead to violence and unstableness in the country.
Unfortunately, because the media in Ghana has been given the platform to express divergent opinions, it is been abused by the same society which is supposed to serve as a check on the media. This has caused for the so called “pro” and “anti” newspapers and stations in Ghana.
REFERENCES:
1. David McHam’s communication law centre: Media Law and Ethics: Class notes: Four theories of the Press.
2. Four theories of the press: by Wilbur Schramm, Siebert and Theodore Paterson
3. 1992 constitution of Ghana: chapter 12
4. The GJA code of ethics.
5. Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the Mass Media (5th Edition) by Werner J. Severin and James W. Tankard
6.
The libertarian theory of the press was developed in England and the U.S.A. after1688. This theory takes the philosophical view that man is rational and able to discern between truth and falsehood and therefore can choose between a better and worse alternative. Libertarians believe that individuals should have complete freedom of action, provided their actions do not infringe on the freedom of others. (Ref: Britannica concise encyclopaedia)
The chief purpose of this theory is to inform, entertain, sell- but chiefly to help discover truth, and to check on government. In the libertarian theory the media was controlled by self-righting process of truth in a free market place of ideas and by the court. The theory gives way for the media to be owned by private individuals. The theory sought for press freedom and objectivity. The press was used as a platform for expression of divergent opinions.
The libertarian theory was an instrument which was used to check on government and the media was used to meet the needs of society. The media was seen as a market place where ideas were exchanged as commodities where the people had the freedom to choose what they wanted to hear or read. What the theory offers is power without responsibility.
Unlike the libertarian theory, the social responsibility theory was developed in the 20th century and practiced in the U.S.A. The chief purpose of this theory is to inform, entertain and sell but chiefly to raise conflict to the plane of discussion. The SRT provides for private ownership of the mass media. Regulations were put in place to promote cultural and political pluralism. The theory is particular about the professionalism of the job (journalism)
In his speech in 1940, the Commission on the Freedom of the Press stated that, ‘it is the press that must be the “more alert” and keep the public informed, for an informed populace is the corner stone of democracy’.
The theory does not deny the rationality of man; rather man is viewed as capable of using his reason to search for the truth. Therefore the press which is seen as the more alert element of the community is to guide man in searching for the truth.
The press is to determine which persons, which facts, which versions of the facts shall reach the public. The press therefore, is to practise responsible journalism to the general welfare of the public. The press is to be sincere, truthful, and impartial, play fairly, be decent and respect individual privacy.
Siebert, Peterson and Schramm noted that the press is supposed to be socially responsible. The media should see that all sides are fairly presented so that the public can have enough information to decide on. (Ref: Britannica Concise Encyclopaedia)
In this theory, the media is controlled by community opinion, consumer action and professional ethics. (Ref: theories of press chapter 12 ‘ethics’). In this theory, the media must assume obligation of social responsibility, and if they do not someone must see that they do.
As seen in both theories, the media’s main role in the society is to act as a watchdog. The media is to bring to light all wrongs and rights and to act as check on government, individuals, social groups and other institutions. But who is to bring the media to task? The society. Society yearns for the truth and it is therefore the media’s responsibility to bring out the hidden truth.
The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana granted the media its freedom and independence where the media was given a platform to express opinions and views and to report tactfully. The constitution also gave way for the media to be established and owned by private individuals and prevented the media from being controlled or interfered by government.
The constitution mandates the media to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the Ghanaian populace. Therefore the media is to check the government and its operations. The constitution also made way for the establishment of the national media commission to promote and ensure that there is freedom and independence of the media. The commission is also to put in regulations for the registrations of newspapers and other publications. The regulation is not to control or direct the professional functions of a newspaper.
In Ghana, although the freedom of the press is guaranteed, the media is tasked to be responsible in its dissemination of information. Unfortunately, this freedom has caused for the establishment of many newspapers and radio stations that are not going according to the laid down proceedings of the national media commission.
The media is supposed to go according to the ABC of journalism. The media is supposed to be accurate, balanced and credible in its reportage. The media is not supposed to be biased.
In Ghana, an organised body called the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has been established. And this body has drawn up code of ethics which is supposed to serve as a ready guide to members of the association in the state owned media, private media and local freelance journalist.
The code is meant to ensure that members adhere to the highest ethical standards, professional competence and good behaviour in carrying out their duties. (Ref: GJA code of ethics: preamble.)
The code also mandates members to play their watchdog role with a high sense of responsibility without infringing on the rights of individuals and the society in general.
Looking at the standards set by the National Media Commission and the GJA, the media is supposed to adhere to the SRT as propounded by Siebert, Paterson and Schramm. The theory puts in place measures that the media is to follow in its service to the public:
The media is to beware that the people have the right to true information.
The media should have respect for national and ethnic values. There should be no discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, colour, creed, gender, or sexual orientation since this can lead to violence and unstableness in the country.
Unfortunately, because the media in Ghana has been given the platform to express divergent opinions, it is been abused by the same society which is supposed to serve as a check on the media. This has caused for the so called “pro” and “anti” newspapers and stations in Ghana.
REFERENCES:
1. David McHam’s communication law centre: Media Law and Ethics: Class notes: Four theories of the Press.
2. Four theories of the press: by Wilbur Schramm, Siebert and Theodore Paterson
3. 1992 constitution of Ghana: chapter 12
4. The GJA code of ethics.
5. Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the Mass Media (5th Edition) by Werner J. Severin and James W. Tankard
6.
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