Since the invention of television its role in society has been subject of continuous and controversial debates revolving about tasks, duties and responsibilities. The classical controversies focussed on the relationship between the state as a TV provider and its citizens, trying to weigh public interests up against individual liberties. Most of the time, they were limited to a national level and included elements of class struggle (cf. Corner 2001, 261, 263 et seq.)
Manifold changes in the TV landscape altered the face of programming and had effects on the role of TV. They turned the political struggle for television into a battle for market shares with an increasing international orientation. The liberalisation of television in association with the development of new broadcasting technologies led to a multitude of competing TV stations and to a diversity of available programmes. Private broadcasters’ dependence on funding by adverts caused a commercialisation of TV and shifted the focus of programming to ratings, which have become an all-dominant factor. The constant search for new ways of attracting viewers’ attention favours sensational topics and resulted in a variety of new programme formats (cf. Corner 2001, 266 and Wedell & Luckham 2002, 119). Globalisation has aggravated competition by flooding national markets with international products, and by supranational media conglomerates trying to peruse their interests in short-term profit-raising. Finally, adding to the tense atmosphere, the internet challenges TV’s role as a mass medium with its global scope and its nearly unlimited supply of entertainment, information and interactivity.
Therefore, a modern definition of the role of television has to comprise a re-evaluation of classic issues, a consideration of technological change and globalisation, and an international perspective. Even if TV seems to lose ground as the leading mass medium, it is still of great significance as a “central ingredient of everyday life” and as an “indispensable factor in the organisation of polity, society and culture” (Corner, 2001, 261). On the backdrop of growing commercialisation and superficiality a recollection of tasks and duties is necessary. Executives have to be reminded that broadcasting is not solely a business, but also an enterprise connected to responsibilities and to accountability. Existing excrescences have to be curtailed by a focus on quality, balance and guidance. Additionally, TV’s significance for the establishment and maintenance of social coherence should be recognized and emphasized.
Table of Contents
1. The role of TV in a globalised world – Quality, balance, guidance and social coherence
Objectives & Topics
The core objective of this coursework is to redefine the role of television in a modern, globalized society by addressing how broadcasting must balance commercial pressures with public responsibility, quality, and social integration. The paper explores the necessity for television to act as a source of reliable information and guidance while maintaining social coherence amidst technological change.
- The impact of globalization and commercialization on television programming.
- Defining the criteria for quality in news and entertainment.
- The importance of balance in content and representation for diverse social groups.
- Strategies for providing guidance and protecting minors in a digital media landscape.
- The potential for television to foster social coherence and cosmopolitan attitudes.
Excerpt from the Book
The role of TV in a globalised world – Quality, balance, guidance and social coherence
Since the invention of television its role in society has been subject of continuous and controversial debates revolving about tasks, duties and responsibilities. The classical controversies focussed on the relationship between the state as a TV provider and its citizens, trying to weigh public interests up against individual liberties. Most of the time, they were limited to a national level and included elements of class struggle (cf. Corner 2001, 261, 263 et seq.)
Manifold changes in the TV landscape altered the face of programming and had effects on the role of TV. They turned the political struggle for television into a battle for market shares with an increasing international orientation. The liberalisation of television in association with the development of new broadcasting technologies led to a multitude of competing TV stations and to a diversity of available programmes. Private broadcasters’ dependence on funding by adverts caused a commercialisation of TV and shifted the focus of programming to ratings, which have become an all-dominant factor. The constant search for new ways of attracting viewers’ attention favours sensational topics and resulted in a variety of new programme formats (cf. Corner 2001, 266 and Wedell & Luckham 2002, 119). Globalisation has aggravated competition by flooding national markets with international products, and by supranational media conglomerates trying to peruse their interests in short-term profit-raising. Finally, adding to the tense atmosphere, the internet challenges TV’s role as a mass medium with its global scope and its nearly unlimited supply of entertainment, information and interactivity.
Therefore, a modern definition of the role of television has to comprise a re-evaluation of classic issues, a consideration of technological change and globalisation, and an international perspective. Even if TV seems to lose ground as the leading mass medium, it is still of great significance as a “central ingredient of everyday life” and as an “indispensable factor in the organisation of polity, society and culture” (Corner, 2001, 261). On the backdrop of growing commercialisation and superficiality a recollection of tasks and duties is necessary. Executives have to be reminded that broadcasting is not solely a business, but also an enterprise connected to responsibilities and to accountability. Existing excrescences have to be curtailed by a focus on quality, balance and guidance. Additionally, TV’s significance for the establishment and maintenance of social coherence should be recognized and emphasized.
Summary of Chapters
1. The role of TV in a globalised world – Quality, balance, guidance and social coherence: The author outlines the challenges television faces due to commercialization and globalization, arguing for a new mandate centered on quality, content balance, public guidance, and the promotion of social cohesion.
Keywords
Television, Globalization, Commercialization, Public Service Broadcasting, Quality Programming, Social Coherence, Media Regulation, Infotainment, News Integrity, Social Representation, Digital Challenges, Media Accountability, Cultural Integration, Audience Guidance, Broadcasting Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this coursework?
The paper examines the changing role of television in a globalized world, emphasizing that broadcasting should not be viewed merely as a business, but as an essential service that carries duties toward public interest and accountability.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The primary themes include the impact of commercialization on programming, the need for high-quality information, the balance between different types of content, the representation of minorities, and the necessity of providing orientation for the audience.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to establish a modern definition of television's role that reconciles classic broadcasting responsibilities with the challenges posed by new technologies, market-driven competition, and global migration.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach, synthesizing media theory (referencing scholars like Corner, Postman, and Wedell & Luckham) with observations on current industry trends, such as the rise of infotainment and the challenges posed by the internet.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body systematically addresses the three core duties of television—quality, balance, and guidance—and discusses the medium's potential to facilitate social coherence across national and cultural lines.
Which keywords best characterize this analysis?
Key terms include globalization, social coherence, media accountability, commercialization, public service broadcasting, and the dilemmas of modern information selection.
Why does the author critique the German broadcaster RTL2?
The author uses RTL2 as a negative example of superficial "infotainment" that prioritizes celebrity gossip and hidden advertising over meaningful, relevant news coverage.
How does the author view the "dilemma of selection"?
The "dilemma of selection" refers to the overwhelming amount of information available in the digital age; the author argues that television must act as a filter to provide a digest of high-quality, relevant content for the viewer.
What is the significance of the "watershed time" mentioned in the text?
A "watershed time" (suggested at 11 pm) is proposed as a necessary regulatory measure to protect minors from explicit or violent content, reflecting the station's responsibility toward younger audiences.
How does the author relate television to social integration?
The author argues that well-balanced, high-quality television can serve as a common foundation for society, helping to integrate minority groups (like Turkish immigrants in Germany) by providing relevant content and a forum for their concerns.
- Quote paper
- Dipl.Jurist Marco Sievers (Author), 2006, The role of TV in a globalised world , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77469
