Curran and Seaton | Masteringmedia

Curran and Seaton - Power

Curran and Seaton's theory of the media industry, as explored in their book Power Without Responsibility (2010), examines the influence of ownership, control, and profit motives in shaping media content and its effects on society. Their theory focuses on the structure and function of the media industry, arguing that the concentration of ownership leads to a narrowing of perspectives and a lack of diversity in content. They suggest that large media conglomerates, driven by profit, often prioritize sensationalism and entertainment over informative or diverse programming, leading to a homogenized media landscape.

According to Curran and Seaton, media companies often operate in ways that serve the interests of powerful elites rather than the broader public. They argue that “the media is not a neutral forum for the expression of public opinion but a space that is shaped by commercial and political forces.” This concentration of ownership, they claim, limits the diversity of viewpoints and reduces the overall range of content available to consumers. Their theory emphasizes how the media serves the interests of a few powerful corporations, which influences the representation of issues and people in the media.

Curran and Seaton's theory also critiques the idea of “free market” media, suggesting that the idea of a free press is compromised when a small number of companies control the majority of media outlets. This results in a lack of competition and a distortion of democratic ideals, as media corporations often act in their own interests rather than those of the public.

What do Curran and Seaton argue about the concentration of media ownership?
How do media conglomerates influence the content presented to audiences?
According to Curran and Seaton, what is the impact of commercial and political forces on media content?
How does Curran and Seaton's theory challenge the concept of a "free market" in media?
What is meant by the statement “the media is not a neutral forum for the expression of public opinion”?
How does media ownership affect the diversity of viewpoints and programming?
What role do profit motives play in the media industry, according to Curran and Seaton?
In what ways do Curran and Seaton believe media conglomerates distort democratic ideals?

Films help us understand the ideas of media theorists Curran and Seaton, who studied how the media is shaped by power, money, and ownership rather than being completely fair or neutral.

In The Social Dilemma, we see how a small number of huge technology companies control social media. These companies make money from adverts, so their apps are designed to keep people watching and scrolling for as long as possible. This shows Curran and Seaton’s idea that profit is more important than public good. The film also shows how this can affect democracy by spreading extreme or misleading content.
The Post shows how newspapers are affected by both political pressure and money. The owners of the newspaper must decide whether to publish an important story that could upset the government and harm their business. This supports Curran and Seaton’s idea that the media is not free from political or commercial influence.
In Citizen Kane, the main character owns newspapers and uses them to promote his own opinions and interests. This shows how media owners can control what audiences see and think, rather than giving lots of different viewpoints.
All the President’s Men shows journalists trying to uncover the truth, but it also reminds us how difficult this is when powerful people want to hide information. This supports Curran and Seaton’s idea that the media often works within systems controlled by elites.

Together, these films show that the media is not neutral and is strongly influenced by ownership, power, and profit, just as Curran and Seaton argue.