The Media The Media of Mass of Mass CommunicationCommunication

Chapter 4 Print MEDIA:

newspapers

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Print Media: Newspapers in ContextPrint Media: Newspapers in Context

Some believe that newspapers are a dying industry

Others, like Postmedia Network, have taken over newspaper chains to expand them

Newspapers remain the main source of news for many Canadians

Many newspapers now combine local news content with internet distribution

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Importance of NewspapersImportance of Newspapers

Newspaper Industry Dimensions 98 dailies publish 4.3 millions copies per day 646 weeklies publish 12.8 million copies each week Newspapers are still the main choice of advertisers

Content Diversity and Depth Newspapers often cover news in more depth Newspapers have rich and varied content Newspapers are challenged to attract a greater number of younger readers

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Newspaper ProductsNewspaper Products

Newspapers Newspapers standardized size, the “standard advertising unit”

Tabloids Account for ¼ of all newspaper circulation

Web-based Newspapers Starting in 1992, newspapers produce online versions

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Newspaper Chain OwnershipNewspaper Chain Ownership

Trend Towards Chains The model for newspaper chains started in 1880 by W.R. Hearst Concerns over concentrated ownership have resulted in 2 royal commissions: Davey and Kent Concern is that media convergence may result in limited scope, perspective, and variety of news

coverage

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Daily & weekly NewspapersDaily & weekly Newspapers

National dailies include The Globe and Mail, and The National Post

Metropolitan dailies include The Toronto Star, The Montreal Gazette, Le Devoir, and the Vancouver Province

Hometown dailies like The Packet and Times provide more local news

Entertainment weeklies such as NOW magazine, The Mirror, and The Georgia Strait provide alternative content and cover independent art, film, literature, music and events

Rural Weeklies are in decline along with the small retailers and advertisers they serve

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Media ownership & convergence

3 models of Media Ownership private ownership (Postmedia Network, Quebecor) public ownership (CBC, PBS, community media) co-operative (campus radio)

Vertical integration of media ownership reduces costs for media owners reduces consumer options and media diversity

CBS “Sunday Morning” February 1, 2009

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Newspaper Publishing in canada

Four companies—PostMedia Network, Hollinger, Quebecor, and Bell GlobeMedia--own a majority of the Canadian newspaper industry

A 2006 study concluded that media convergence makes Canadians distrust the media News media owners such as Conrad Black, Izzy Asper and Paul Godfrey directly

intervene in editorial content, silencing or firing dissenting editors Does this contravene or take advantage of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

guaranteeing freedom of the press?

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3Professor Jeppesen 8

Media convergence in canada (circa 2009)

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Source: http://arts1091.unsw.wikispaces.net/Canada

Media convergence in canada

CBC “The National” coverage of media convergence August 2, 2001

Is convergence good or bad?

Does responsibility for news diversity lie with the producer or the consumer of news?

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The simpsons - Fraudcast news23-04-21 1-11

Alternative media

Grass-roots initiatives increasingly produce alternative media to challenge effects of mainstream media convergence

Alternative in content and in process of production and distribution

DIY (Do It Yourself) media – non-professional, non-commercial

mediacoop.ca

The Dominion

Independent media – professionalized but still non-commercial

rabble.ca

democracynow.org

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Questions for Critical ThinkingQuestions for Critical Thinking

1. What is the impact of media convergence on newspapers? On readers?

2. Should priority be given to web delivery of news?

3. What is the role of alternative media in Canada?

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Next class

Print Media – Magazines

Bring an old magazine or two to class, as well as scissors and glue

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