Media Conglomerates

MEDIA CONGLOMERATES

WHAT THEY ARE, WHY THEY’RE BAD

WHAT IS A CONGLOMERATE?

• kuh n-glom-er-ita corporation consisting of a number of subsidiary companies or divisions in a variety of unrelated industries, usually as a result of merger or acquisition.

What is a moNOPOLY?

• muh-nop-uh-lee exclusive control of a commodity or service in a particular market, or a control that makes possible the manipulation of prices.

The BIG TEN

CONSEQUENCES OF CONGLOMERATES

• Media become loyal to sponsors, rather than to the public interest.

• For the general public, there are fewer diverse opinions and voices available.

• Only a few companies represent the interests of a minority elite control.

• For minorities and others, fewer opportunities are available for voicing their concerns and reaching the public.

• Healthy, market-based competition is absent, leading to slower innovation and increased prices.

THE NEW MEDIA REVOLUTION

• Websites, blogs and wikis have democratized the process of information dissemination.

• This is called citizen journalism or citizen media.

• Citizen media take audiences out of the traditional media and weaken the role of information professionals.

WHO OWNS THE BIG CORPORATIONS?