REPORTS

1. MEDIA AND
GOVERNMENT

2. The Philippine Constitution state, in Section 4 Article
III “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom
of speech, of expression, or the press, or the right
the people peaceably to assemble and petition the
government for redress of grievances.”

3. Normative theories were first proposed by Fred Siebert, Theodore Peterson
and Wilbur Schramm in their book called “Four Theories of the Press”. At
first the word “Normative Theory” was pronounced in USA during the height
of ‘cold war’ with communism and soviet. Often it called as western theories
of mass media.

4. Authoritarian Theory
• Authoritarian theory describe that all forms of communications are
under the control of the governing elite or authorities or influential
bureaucrats.

5. SOVIET/ COMMUNIST MEDIA THEORY
The Soviet Union was restructured with new political system
based on the Marxist-Leninist principles. The newly formed
communist party by Lenin shows much interest in the media
which serves to the working class in the country and their
welfares.

6. Libertarian Theory
Sees people are more enough to find and judge good ideas from bad.
The theory says people are rational and their rational thoughts lead them
to find out what are good and bad. The press should not restrict
anything even a negative content may give knowledge and can make
better decision while worst situation.

7. Social Responsibility Theory
• Allows free press without any censorship but at the same time the
content of the press should be discussed in public panel and media
should accept any obligation from public interference or professional
self-regulations or both.
• The theory lies between both authoritarian theory and libertarian
theory because it gives total media freedom in one hand but the
external controls in other hand.

8. Functions of Communication and Media
1. Monitoring Functions- Inform citizens of what is happening around them.
2. Information Function-Educate the audience as to the meaning and significance of
the “facts”; ability of the media to teach the various norms, rules and values.
3. Opinion Function- Provide a platform for public political discourse, facilitating the
formation of provide a platform for public political discourse, facilitating the
formation of “public opinion” and feeding that opinion back to the public from
whence it came.
4. Watch Dog Role of Journalism- Give publicity to governmental and political
institutions.
5. Channel for advocacy for political viewpoints- Serve as the channel for the advocacy
of political viewpoints

9. Activity 4: Picture Analysis
Guide Questions:
•What is the picture all about?
_____________________________
•Why do you think these people participated in this
event?
_____________________________
•If given the chance, will you join this rally? Why or
why not?
_____________________________