Libertarian theory

8/12/2019 Libertarian theory

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FREE PRESS THEORY/LIBERTARIAN THEORY

THE ORIGIN OF THE LIBERTARIAN THOUGHT

Modern Libertarian thought can be traced back to sixteenth-century European erawhen feudal aristocracies exercised arbitrary power over the lives of most people.This era was also rocked by major social upheaval. International trade andurbanizationundermined the power of these rural aristocracies and several social andpolitical movements sprang up, most notably the Protestant Reformation thatdemandedgreater freedom for individuals over their own lives and thoughts (Altschull,1990).Libertarian theory arose in opposition to authoritarian theoryan idea thatplaced all forms of communication under the control of a governing elite or authorities(Siebert, Peterson, and Schramm, 1956). Authorities justified their control as ameans to protect and preserve a divinely ordained social order. In most countries,this control rested in the hands of a king, who in turn granted royal charters orlicensesto media practitioners. These practitioners could be jailed for violating theircharters, and charters or licenses could be revoked. Censorship of all types,therefore,was easily possible. Authoritarian control tended to be exercised in arbitrary, erraticways. Sometimes considerable freedom might exist to publicize minority viewpointsand culture, as long as authorities didnt perceive a direct threat to their power. Unlike

totalitarianism, authoritarian theory doesnt prioritize cultivation of a homogeneousnational culture. It only requires acquiescence to a governing elite.In rebelling against authoritarian theory, early Libertarians argued that if individualscould be freed from the arbitrary limits on communication imposed bychurch and state, they would naturally follow the dictates of their conscience,seek truth, engage in public debate, and ultimately create a better life for themselvesand others (McQuail, 1987; Siebert, Peterson, and Schramm, 1956). Libertariansblamed authorities for preserving unnatural, arbitrary social orders. Theybelieved strongly in the power of unrestricted public debate and discussion to createmore natural ways of structuring society. Many early Libertarians were Protestantsrebelling against church restrictions on their freedom to communicate. They

believed that without these restrictions, individuals could follow their conscience,communicate accordingly, and ultimately come to a knowledge of the Truth.

THE CONCEPT OF LIBERTARIAN THEORY

The core doctrine of libertarianism begins with the recognition that people have

certain natural rights and that deprivation of these rights is immoral.Among these

natural rights are the right to personal autonomy and property rights and the right to

utilization of previously unused resouces.

The theory states that information is knowledge and knowledge is power.It enables

people to realise their potential and since news is about people making the news ,the


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press reminds us that society has not grown to an entity of greater importance than

the people comprising it.

Whether or not we regard free press as a natural or inalienable right depends upon

how much we assume that people desire to know the truth,and will be set free by it.

Advocates of this theory were Lao Tzu,an early 16th Century philosopher ,John

Lockeof Great Britain in the 17th Century ,John Milton,the epic poet John Staurt

Mill,an essayist [on liberty].

Milton referred to a self righting process if free expression is permitted let truth and

falsehood grapple.In 1789 ,the French ,in their Declaration of the Rights of Man

,wrote Every citizen may speak ,write and publish freely.Out of such doctrines came

the idea of a free marketplace of ideas Gearge Orwell defined libertarianism asallowing people to say things you do not want to hear.Libertarians argued that the

press shoul be seen as the Fourth Estate reflecting public opinion.

What the theory offers, in sum ,is power without social responsibility.

APPLICATIONS OF THIS THEORY

Mass Communication:This theory applies in Mass Communications in the use of

Libertarian Press System.Libertarian press system is a product of a revolutionagainst authoritarian press system.This system says that the government restrictions

on the expression of ideas infringes upon the rights of citizens[freedom of

expression].

Libertarian press system is a system that gives absolute freedom to media to

disseminate whatever it wants.The system says that the government can best serve

the citizens by not interfering with the channels of communication.In this system,the

media is at liberty to either broadcast or publish any material in any style without

anybody questioning them.It advocates that human beings are rational in thinking

thus capable of seperating truth from falsehood ,good from evil.Thus media housesmust provide information on a variety of topics-particularly government activities so

that citizens are in a position to make enlightened decisions.

Leadership:Libertarian leadership is the type that came in with a high level of

democracy giving people an absolute freedom liberty to express their views or

opinions.It was regarded as the type of leadership that promotes transparency within

a country.


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CRITICISM OF THIS THEORY

Virulent critics of the Free Press Theory were Wilbur Schramm,Siebert and

Theodore Paterson.In their book Four Theories of Press ,they stated that pure

libertarianism is antiquated ,outdated and obsolete.They advocated the need for its

replacement by the social responsibility theory.

The commission of The Freedom of Press ,1949 criticised this theory by stating that it

had only increased the power of a single class and has not served the interests of the

less well-off classes.


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REFERENCES

Durkhein ,Emile.1951.Suicide:A Study in Sociology. New York :Free Pree [original

work published in 1897]

Merton,R.K.1957.Social Theory and Social Structure ,rev.ed. New York: Free Press

Griffin, EM [2012].A first look at communication Theory.New York: McGranhill. P.54

ISBN 978-0-07-353430-5


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KABIANGA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

COURSE NAME: COMMUNICATION THEORIES

COURSE CODE: CMM 400

TASK: C.A.T 2

NAME: BEATRICE EGWA NYANGE

ADM NO: CPR/39/09

LECTURER: MADAM JUDY

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Libertarian theory