The Fourth PowerThe Fourth Power

The MediaThe Media

Contents

• Trias Politica

• The Fourth Power

• Today’s Media– Mass Media– Independent Media

• Conclusion

1. Trias Politica

• The doctrine of separation of powers (as described by Montesquieu)

• Defining 3 major political branches/powers:– Executive– Legislative– judiciary

2. The Fourth Power

• The press is often described as the “fourth power”– Influence on public opinion– Indirect influence on policy and legislation changes

• Rarely considered a formal branch of democratic government

• In most governmental systems freedom of the press is guaranteed by law

3. Today’s Media

“Has become the most powerful tool to shape public opinion, as well as some of the most powerful corporations in the world”

(Amy Goodman, presenter of Democracy in Exile)

3. Today’s Media * Mass Media

• Large companies and multinationals– Examples:

UK: BBC, ITN, …

USA: CNN, …

…

• Abuse and carelessness:– Case C/T/N

– Berlusconi’s media companies

– Topics are appraoched roughly (no in-depth or accurate information)

– Too few opinions heard

– Propaganda medium, no or insufficient objectivity

– ...

3. Today’s Media * Mass Media

• Growing dissatisfaction– 70% of the viewers are malcontent about the quality of

television– Reporters are unhappy with their products

• Alternatives?

3. Today’s Media * Independent Media

• Modern technologies open pathways:– Camcorder eyewitness accounts– Internet websites

• Clash with mass media– Example: G8 incident in Genua (Italy)

4. Conclusion

• Ethical questions rise when investigating these facts:– Should the media be considered a separate power

in the modern political environment?– How can we limit or extend its power without

harming today’s society structures?– Who should rule these massive corporations?– ...

Thank you for your attention

Sources:Sources:

Wikipedia.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers

MediaChannel.orghttp://mediachannel.org/

Youtube.comhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6HRt1bH_dw&feature=video_response

Inymedia.orghttp://www.indymedia.org/nl/index.shtml