THE AUTHORITARIAN MEDIA THEORY

A PRESENTATION BY GROUP 1

UNILAG PGD MASS COMM

(2014/15 SET)

MAS 756--Foundations Of Mass Communication

May 2015

Authoritarian Media Theory is

One of the 6 Normative Theories as recognized in 1956 by 3 Professors of Communication-

1. Fred S. Siebert

2.Theodore Peterson and

3. Wilbur Schramm.

BACKGROUND

Authoritarian Theory has its roots in the

16th and 17th century Europe

(England), where absolute power

rested in the Monarch.

Authoritarian Media Theory holds that

“THOSE WHO CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE

MONOPOLY OF THE TRUTH AND OF INFORMATION”.

The Core of Authoritarian Media Theory

In this regard…

the mass media, private or public (government), work to protect the interest of the government in power.

They are not to publish anything that is under censorship and

those who do not obey the rules and regulations are subject to punishment.

This media theory promotes

1. "top-down-flow" approach

2. Justifies advance “censorship”

3. “Punishment” from eternally set guidelines

which apply to political subject matter

4. “Zealous obedience” to a hierarchical superior

5. “Reliance on threat” to those who did not follow

the censorship rules or did not respect authority

What The Authoritarian MediaTheory Promotes?

Censorship of the press was justified on the ground that the State always took precedence over the individual's right to

freedom of expression.

The "authoritarian" system controls the media through

1. Repressive press laws and decrees e.g. Official Secret Acts, National Security Acts, Decree 4, etc.

2. Proscriptions3. Heavy taxation4. Subtle influence on the form and

content of media organizations etc.

How Is The Media Controlled Under The Authoritarian Media Theory?

In practical terms, the Authoritarian Media Theory is visibly practised in countries like

1. Iran2. China3. North Korea4. Paraguay and 5. to some extent Nigeria.

Under these climes, the relationship between the media and government is top-down approach.

Realism in Authoritarian Media Theory

Authoritarian Media is clearly evident in some media organizations in Nigeria.

For instance most government-owned (state & Federal) media organizations, especially

radio and television stations, operate under this authoritarian notion, in that they only

report news and information that are largely beneficial and supportive to the government of the day. Anything otherwise is censored.

Prior to this democratic dispensation, we used to have Decree 4 of 1984 under the

Gen. Mohammad Buhari regime which forbids press freedom and the likes.

In the Authoritarian Theory, truth was any statement that benefited or supported the government.

The exponents of this theory were 15th and 16th century philosophers, primarily, Friedrich Hegel, Thomas Hobbes, and Niccolo Machiavelli.

ANY QUESTIONS?

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Seun Adeogun

Adedokun Adeyemi Benjamin

Adeniyi Adeolu James

Adepoju Samuel Gbenga

GROUP 1 MEMBERS