scholarly journals Media Concentration: A Critical Political Economy Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-391
Author(s):  
Manfred Knoche
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
The Political ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Media ◽  
High Level ◽  
Media Concentration ◽  
Media And Communication

This article presents foundations of the analysis of media concentration from the perspective of the approach the critique of the political economy of the media and communication. It outlines the dangers and problems of media concentration, discusses the question of how to measure media concentration, identifies different types of media concentration, and gives a systematic overview of empirical studies of media concentration. As a result of the country comparison on a theoretical (macro) level with an analytically required high level of abstraction, first and foremost identities, commonalities and similarities with regard to the development of media concentration including its causes and consequences can be recognised. The author argues that media concentration also needs to be theorised. It distinguishes and discusses two such theoretical approaches: apologetic-normative competition theories of media concentration and critical-empirical theories of media concentration. Critical-empirical theories of media concentration situate media concentration in the context of the development of capitalism, which requires to use the critique of the political economy as theoretical foundation.

scholarly journals Critical Media and Communication Studies Today. A Conversation

1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Fuchs ◽  
Dwayne Winseck
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Karl Marx ◽  
The Political ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
Critical Media ◽  
The Status ◽  
Political Economies ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media And Communication

This article documents a conversation between us that was first published in parallel on our two blogs http://dwmw.wordpress.com and http://fuchs.uti.at/blog. The conversation deals with our assessments of the status of Critical Media and Communication Studies today. We discuss the work of Dallas Smythe, how to study and assess Google, research dimensions of Critical Political Economy of the Media, how important each of these dimensions should be, the role of ideology critique for Critical Political Economy of the Media, the commonalities and differences between Political Economies of the Media and Critical Political Economy of the Media/Critique of the Political Economy of the Media, the role of Karl Marx for Political Economies of the Media, Nicholas Garnham's recent comments on the field of Critical Political Economy of the Media, neoliberalism and capitalist crisis as contexts for Political Economies of the Media. Comments are very welcome on our blogs, URLs to the specific blog postings can be found in the article sections.

scholarly journals Capitalisation of the Media Industry From a Political Economy Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-342
Author(s):  
Manfred Knoche
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
The Political ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Historical Materialist ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media And Communication ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Mode Of Production

Approaches to the critique of the political economy of communication in society belong to the “forgotten theories” in media and communication studies. But in view of the unmistakable structural change of a media industry “unleashed” by deregulation, privatisation, digitalisation, concentration, globalisation, etc., it seems from an academic perspective necessary to analyse the development of the media industry in close connection with the equally unmistakable general development of an “unleashed” capitalism. This article therefore shows that the analysis of the development processes of capitalism as the undoubtedly globally dominant economic and social system from a political economy perspective makes it possible to analyse, explain, and partly forecast the economisation or commercialisation process in the media industry in an academically appropriate way with regard to its causes, forms, consequences, and further development. Theoretical explanations are offered by the further developments of the analysis and critique of contemporary capitalism based on Marx’s critique of the political economy as a historical-materialist analysis of society. In doing so, the permanent fundamental characteristics, modes of functioning and “regularities” of the capitalist mode of production and the capitalist formation of society are analysed in connection with the particularities of the current capitalisation process in the media industry.

scholarly journals The Crisis-Ridden Capitalist Mode of Production as Driving Force for Restructurations and Transformations in and of the Media Industry: Explanatory Theoretical Elements of a Critique of the Political Economy of the Media

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-307
Author(s):  
Manfred Knoche
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Structural Transformations ◽  
The Political ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Capitalist Mode ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Media ◽  
Mode Of Production

The goal of this article is to explain long term restructurations and transformations of the media industry. In order to do so, the article uses theory elements of a critique of the political economy of the media. The paper is a contribution to the development of theoretical approaches that provide a theoretical analysis of the media in capitalism based on Karl Marx’s concepts. The capitalist mode of production is the primary driving force of media corporations‘ strategic action and of the media economy’s structural transformations. Factors that are of particular relevance in such structural transformations include profit orientation, capital accumulation, capitalist crises, state policies, behaviour of producers and consumers, private property, class relations, the antagonism between productive forces and relations of production, the antagonism of variable and constant capitalism, the antagonism of use-value and exchange-value, and competition. Competition, capital’s need to survive, and capitalism’s immanent crisis potentials force corporations try to create innovations such as new digital technologies. Informatisation, which includes the use of the computer as universal machine and the Internet, is the provisionally latest stage in the development of the productive forces that has affected media technologies and the media industry. The capital-driven structural digital transformation of the media industry has resulted in the convergence of production, distribution and consumption, the creation of a variety of non-tangible digital products, digital rationalisation and automation, and the universal real subsumption of labour under capital. These developments have also created the potential potentials for overcoming the capitalist character of the media economy and advancing decommodification based on the emergence of a universal digital media system.

scholarly journals The crisis-ridden capitalist mode of production as driving force for restructurations and transformations in and of the media industry : explanatory theoretical elements of a critique of the political economy of the media

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Knoche
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Driving Force ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Structural Transformations ◽  
The Political ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Capitalist Mode ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Media ◽  
Mode Of Production

The goal of this article is to explain long term restructurations and transformations of the media industry. In order to do so, the article uses theory elements of a critique of the political economy of the media. The paper is a contribution to the development of theoretical approaches that provide a theoretical analysis of the media in capitalism based on Karl Marxs concepts. The capitalist mode of production is the primary driving force of media corporations‘ strategic action and of the media economys structural transformations. Factors that are of particular relevance in such structural transformations include profit orientation, capital accumulation, capitalist crises, state policies, behaviour of producers and consumers, private property, class relations, the antagonism between productive forces and relations of production, the antagonism of variable and constant capitalism, the antagonism of use-value and exchange-value, and competition.

scholarly journals EKONOMI POLITIK MEDIA: PADA PEMBERITAAN MENJELANG PEMILIHAN GUBERNUR BANTEN 2017 OLEH RADAR BANTEN DAN BARAYA TV

INFORMASI ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Achmad Nashrudin P
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
The Political ◽  
Media Relations ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Political Economy Of Media ◽  
Political Interests ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
The Press ◽  
The Media

Research on Political Economy of Media: At the news ahead of elections for the governor of Banten in 2017 by Radar Banten and Baraya TV, phenomenon triggered by the loosening of the values of objectivity and independence of the mass media in carrying out its functions as set in the Press Law and the Broadcasting Law. At the time of the campaign, the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are competing to get the “place ‘and is known well as sell to prospective election promise to get sympathy. At the time, the media seemed to forget the function and position. This study aims to determine the phenomenon of media relations with the candidates and how the phenomenon of the political economy of media in both institutions (Radar Banten and Baraya Pos) at the time before the election for governor of Banten in 2017. This study uses this study used a qualitative approach, with the constructivist paradigm and using the method of data collection through the depth-interview, the informant was elected. The results of the study illustrate that media relations (relations between) media with prospective relatively loose, drawn from observations and interviews show that the two media are “very affectionate” with the candidates, and the media policy in lifting more headlines have suggested the economic interests vis a vis political interests.

Re-Engaging Critical Communication Studies With Social Classes

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-97
Author(s):  
Gökhan Bulut
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Class Struggle ◽  
Capitalist Society ◽  
Social Classes ◽  
Homogeneous Structure ◽  
The Political ◽  
Class Relations ◽  
The Media ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
The Relationship

This article is an attempt to reestablish the linkage of the political economy of communication with the field of social classes and class relations. Studies in the field of political economy of communication are mostly shaped within the scope of instrumentalist explanation: Social communication institutions such as communication and media are perceived as a very homogeneous structure and these institutions are directly considered as the apparatus of capital and capitalists. However, in this study, it is argued that in capitalist societies, communication, and media should be understood as a field and medium of class struggle loaded with contradictions. Another point is that the political economy of communication is mostly limited to media studies. However, in today's capitalist societies, the media is not the only structure and actor in which communication forms. In this study, communication practices in capitalist society are discussed in the context of class discussions and the relationship between class struggle, culture and communication is discussed.

15. Regions

2020 ◽  
pp. 267-280
Author(s):  
James Bickerton ◽  
Alain-G. Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Human Agency ◽  
The Political ◽  
Nation State ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
Political Role ◽  
Different Types

This chapter explores the concept of region, defined as a territorial entity distinct from both locality and nation-state. The region constitutes an economic, political, administrative, and/or cultural space, within which different types of human agency interact, and towards which individuals and communities may develop attachments and identities. Regionalism is the manifestation of values, attitudes, opinions, preferences, claims, behaviours, interests, attachments, and identities that can be associated with a particular region. The chapter first reviews the main theories and approaches that are used to understand the political role and importance of regions, including the modernization paradigm, Marxism, and institutionalism. It then considers the various dimensions and aspects of regions and regionalism, with particular emphasis on regionalism from below versus regionalization ‘from above’. It also examines the political economy of regions, tracing the changing economic role and place of regions within the national and global economy.

Media and Economic Inequality

2020 ◽  
pp. 70-88
Author(s):  
Andrea Grisold ◽  
Hendrik Theine
Keyword(s):  
Media Coverage ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Data Analyses ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Approaches To Study ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Power ◽  
Information Providers

Chapter 4 reviews a focused selection of the existing research which sheds light on the role that the media play in relation to the circulation of certain sets of ideas and discourses concerning inequality issues and redistribution policies (i.e., the shaping of inequality preferences and beliefs). The main aim in this chapter is to analyse prior empirical studies which explore how this is shaped and informed by media coverage and engagement. To do so, the authors first outline the findings of survey data analyses on individuals’ perception of inequality, and their related position towards the necessity of redistribution. After that, the chapter provides a systematic overview of contemporary empirical studies which examine the media coverage of economic inequality and redistribution policies, and thus debate the role mass media play as information providers. We assess the underlying assumptions and the methodological approaches guiding the respective empirical findings, highlight the merits of this body of work and identify open questions for further research. The last part of this chapter provides a discussion of (currently rather neglected) political economy theories that offer rich theoretical approaches to study media, power, and inequality, thus an enhanced theoretically informed understanding beyond the mere empiricism.

scholarly journals Transport cost in location practice and economic geography: traditional theories, some new dimensions and policy implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (25) ◽  
pp. 55-67
Author(s):  
Manolis Christofakis
Keyword(s):  
Economic Geography ◽  
Spatial Organization ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Transport Cost ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Practice ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Theoretical Approaches

Abstract This paper outlines the main theoretical approaches to the role of transport in spatial organization and investigates possible new extensions at a theoretical and practical level, focusing on the analysis of transport cost. Beginning from the traditional theories of spatial distribution and the location of economic activities under transport cost, the analysis focuses on the related approaches of the new economic geography, which are based on the assumptions of the known “iceberg cost”. After that, through the presentation of indicative empirical studies, the paper attempts to clarify new issues that should be taken into account in the relevant theoretical considerations as well as in the political practice. Thus, factors such as the change of production structure in the modern economies with the production of more quality products, lower mass, and higher relative value and intangible goods, in combination with the improved transport technology, have contributed to a continuous reduction of the transport cost of raw materials and productive goods over the years. These developments along with the growing importance of cost of moving people should be taken into account in the new theoretical interrogations and the political practice of regional and urban development

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