Media, Markets, and Democracy (Communication, Society and Politics)

Giving people the media they want is thought to justify the move toward deregulation that has swept media policy circles. Freedom of the press is thought to require resistance to government interventions in the media realm. This book uses economic and democratic theory to undermine the premises of both beliefs. It also relies on these theories to evaluate journalistic practice, to recommend appropriate governmental policy toward the media, and to defend a preferred constitutional conception of press freedom. These issues should be vitally important to anyone interested in the proper practice of journalism, media policy, a free press, or democracy. "The mass media and free press should serve people both as consumers and as citizens. Critics claim that government interventions in media markets prevent audiences from getting the media products they want. Political theorists assert that a free press is essential for democracy. The critics' claim is incorrect and the theorists' assertion is inadequate as a policy or constitutional guide. Even if markets properly provide for people's desires or preferences for most products, Part I of this book shows that unique aspects of media products systematically cause markets to fail in respect to them. Part II shows that four prominent, but different, theories of democracy lead to different conceptions of good journalistic practice, good media policy, and proper constitutional principles. While implicitly favoring a theory of "complex democracy," Part II makes it clear that the choice among democratic theories is crucial for understanding what should be meant by a free press. Part III explores one currently controversial issue - international free trade in media products. Contrary to the American negotiating position relating to media products, both economic and democratic theory justify deviations from free trade."--BOOK JACKET Government interventions in media markets are often criticized for preventing audiences from getting the media products they want. A free press is often asserted to be essential for democracy. The first point is incorrect and the second is inadequate as a policy guide. Part I of this book shows that unique aspects of media products prevent markets from providing for audience desires. Part II shows that four prominent, but different, theories of democracy lead to different conceptions of good journalistic practice, media policy, and proper constitutional principles. Part II makes clear that the choice among democratic theories is crucial for understanding what should be meant by free press. Part III explores international free trade in media products. Contrary to the dominant American position, it shows that Parts I and II's economic and democratic theory justify deviations from free trade in media products. Baker challenges the premises of deregulation of the media and government interventions in this sphere. While arguing for a constitutional conception of freedom of the press, he argues that economic and democratic theories justify deviations from free trade in media products C. Edwin Baker. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 309-364) And Index.