Issues

Debates about Media Structures

There are vigorous debates between those who take cultural and social objectives as their starting point, and those whose arguments are founded on economic principles.

One important set of debates is around the virtues of public service media in democracies.

• Some commentators argue that convergence and digital technologies have created unprecedented freedom of choice for consumers. One night you can tune into a regional television channel to watch your son play in the local highschool tournament. The following night you can track the Volvo Ocean yacht race via online Virtual Spectator .
• Others argue that there is still a role for public service radio and television. They provide places for debate that are beyond both Politics and Business. There is also a debate over a 'creative commons' on the web.

A second relates to media ownership

• One side argues that media companies only survive by pleasing their audiences...so the desires and requirements of audiences
  ensures that a range and variety of media content are available.
• The other side argue that media companies are interested primarily in profits and that commercial content obeys a rule of the 'lowest common denominator'. Reality TV is cheap...and has huge audiences...but that does not mean that quality news, current affairs, documentary and drama are not important for informed citizens. Commercial media serves consumers. Public Service media serve citizens.

The third set of debates are around local content.

• A pragmatic person may ask 'Why bother creating expensive local content when international films and cable shows are so popular in New Zealand?'
• A creative person may respond 'We need to see our cultures and stories on our screens. What is more, creative producers like Peter Jackson have put New Zealand on the map for international audiences!'.