Media, Ethics, and Freedom of Expression: A Comprehensive Overview
Media Companies and the State
Commercial media are large companies governed by economic logic, aiming to generate profit. Media tend to concentrate in areas with high population density, a phenomenon known as localization.
Types of Media Mergers
- Horizontal Merger: The same economic group owns several media of the same type (e.g., radio stations).
- Vertical Merger: A business group owns several different media types.
- Expanded Merger: A set of business owners, associated in various ways, form industries such as TV producers, record labels, and theater companies.
- Extended Merger: The same group owns not only media but also industries or companies providing services in other economic sectors (e.g., construction, textiles, paper).
Ethics and Professional Deontology
Ethics
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with morality and human obligations. It encompasses the set of moral norms that guide human behavior.
Morality
Morality refers to the goodness or malice of human actions, belonging to the realm of consciousness.
Deontology
Deontology is the science of professional duties.
Political and Legal Factors in the Media
Understanding the operation of the media requires knowledge of the laws governing its operation in a country.
In most European nations, the state reserves the right to transmit radio and television signals. However, in the United States, media has always been privately owned.
In Argentina, media operation is governed by Law 22,285 of radio broadcasting, passed in 1980 by the military dictatorship. This law has not been fully reformed by subsequent democratic governments. In 2009, the President’s Office submitted a draft law called “media law K.”
Statutory References for Press Freedom
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, 1789: “No man should be molested for his opinions, even religious, provided their manifestation does not disturb public order.”
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, 1948: “The right of every human being to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media.”
- Constitution of Argentina, Article 14: “Every inhabitant of the Argentine soil has the right to express their ideas and opinions freely.”
Knowing Our Rights
Right to Report
Domestic legislation recognizes the right of all persons to express themselves without censorship. This right is violated when artistic demonstrations are banned, programs are censored, “blacklists” are created, or threats prevent journalists from disclosing information.
Some government strategies to prevent program broadcasting include:
- Advertising orders
- Lifting of the monopoly of newsprint
Right to be Informed
This right refers to receiving information and opinions, and having access to knowledge. It also includes the right to select the media and messages received, and to be informed truthfully. This is known as the right to pluralism, which ensures a healthy and participatory information environment.
Right to Reply
Based on the Pact of San José de Costa Rica (1969), Article XIV states: “Any person affected by information bias or offensive statements through the media and who are drawn to a massive public is entitled to effect correction or reply by the same means.”
Censorship
Censorship is the prohibition or restriction of a publication whose content is considered inappropriate for a social or public sector.
Types of Censorship
- Prior Censorship: Prohibiting a program, radio broadcast, or written publication before its contact with the public.
- Basic Censorship: Occurs at the time of broadcasting or publication.
- Post Censorship: Performed after the emission has occurred. It involves collecting fines, removing or reducing official propaganda, or prohibiting the use of raw materials or satellites.
Censorship in Spain
Throughout history, the right to freedom of expression has been violated in Spain, particularly during periods when democracy was interrupted.
Press Styles
Gutter Press
This style aims to impact the receiver by making news more attractive through sensationalism, scandals, and common vocabulary.
Traditional Press
This style presents an objective picture to the receiver, prioritizing political, economic, and international news. It caters to a trained or informed public.
New Journalism
: It includes analysis and views on the news, includes humor and irony.