Ruling Allows Television Networks The Freedom example essay topic

Monday, June 2nd, 2003 will be potentially the day we look back and say that was the day that we changed the way we watched television, listened to the radio, and read the newspaper. Why June 2nd? Well, simply because this was the day that The Federal Communications Commission ruled in favor 3-2 that there be a "relaxation of media ownership rules". Basically, the FCC had changed is allowing the major media market owners to become even bigger and control more of the nations viewing and information by one company. As expected, everyone is not happy with the ruling of the FCC. The ruling allows television networks the freedom to control more of their local affiliates and lets a company own both a newspaper and television station in all markets except in small towns.

As we look at the internet and cable television, media companies struggle to keep up with the internet and the quickness of reporting news to the world, as networks are always competing to provide the entertainment valued shows that cable generally tend to offer as a quality alternative. Consider that one company did own 2 or maybe 3 television stations, that company now can provide better programming since that company is able to control multiple networks at once. With that in mind, more selection will be offered to the viewers, rather than watching similar programs on different channels because the different networks are trying to fight for a particular timeslot. When then happens is that television becomes un entertaining with superficial, desperate people that will do anything to be on TV. As previously stated, not everyone was as happy with the FCC ruling as the major television executives. Ownership of a single company of the top TV stations and dominant newspaper in a city would let it virtually control local news coverage, said Gene Kimmel man of Consumers Union.

"That means less competition for stories, lazier journalism and fewer independent voices essential to democracy", he said. (1) Even though it is sought to believe that the ownership by a single company of the top TV stations can and will most likely control local news coverage, in turn, there will be less competition for stories, lazier journalism, and eventually lead to predictable journalistic coverage. But the fact of the matter is that in passing the relaxation of media ownership, I predict that the competition for stories amongst reports will maintain the aggressive journalism attitude and the competition will still be there. Possibly lead to more detailed, informative coverage with a company having more control over the media and what to report only what is worth reporting. If you think about it, regardless if a company owned 1 station or 10 stations, you can only report on what people are willing to tell you, how much they want to tell you, or how much they are allowed to tell you. All the ruling did was make it more flexible for the media to express their speech, rather than putting more limitation on our constitutional right, freedom of speech.

What people do not understand is that there are other ways of receiving your information than watching the news on TV. The TV should be for entertainment purposes only, that's the problem with people nowadays is that no one is media literate. Regardless of what you see on television, people still have to make decisions whether or not to trust what they see on television. The FCC ruling gives companies more freedom to provide an "ideal" journalistic coverage for particular markets. But this does not apply to all markets.

As we look closer of the limitations the ruling has expressed, the ruling tends beneficial to companies in market areas that have nine or more television stations. The reason being is that the market areas with four to eight television stations, those companies within that market area are not allowed to own both a TV station and a newspaper. While in the areas with nine or more television stations, a company is allowed to own a newspaper, a television station, and several radio stations. This ruling will affect the mostly newspaper publishing companies because they will then be allowed to buy a television station and basically promote one business by using the other. I support the ruling of the relaxation of media ownership because this will allow the media to be a competitor with Internet and cable with regards to news coverage and entertainment valued programs without having to pay the Internet and cable bills. Also, I predict that since the journalist coverage will stay aggressive and journalists will continue to compel themselves to report the news as before.

I believe that this will not have much change, if any at all, on how we receive the news. The only difference will be a change in ownership and possibly a change in name or logo of a particular station. From what I have researched, I believe that the changes the FCC had ruled in favor for will help improve television and news broadcasting move forward in a positive direction.