MONOPOLY

What is the definition of a monopoly?

A monopoly is where a single person, company or brand name owns all or most of one certain type product. Monopoly is characterized by competition, which often results in high prices and inferior products. It lessens competition for people who want to start a business or small businesses in that area. Rupert Murdoch is an example of this and he owns most of the world’s media and Press Company’s. He owns most of the world’s media industries. There are not enough opportunities for smaller companies because of how big the larger company is. Monopoly Company’s income increases because of the amount the own and because the income is so high they can invest in almost anything if it will benefit the company. Companies that have a monopoly don’t tend to invest in to other businesses leaving a detrimental effect on the market.

Why is it important to ensure that no single media producer in the UK has a Monopoly?

We need to make sure that no single media producer in the UK has a Monopoly because there are people that are trying to make businesses in these certain areas where people have a monopoly and the people that are trying to make a new business can not because the competition is so hard because the monopoly companies will either win or if the companies idea is so good the monopoly company will just buy the other company out with an offer they cant refuse. So if more companies try to open up in the same sector as the monopoly company it will give the other company an unfair chance.

Why is consumer choice important?

Consumer Choice is how the consumer is getting the right of choice of how they purchases the product an example of this is Samsung or Apple. They make a wide range of music devises but when other companies start creating the same things and trying to compete with them they make more of a range people can buy such as TV’s, Computers. This is how it gives their consumers more choice range from them to buy from.

What is the definition of censorship?

Censorship is the withholding of explicit speech or other public communication. Which may be considered offensive, harmful, sensitive, politically incorrect or inconvenient as determined by a government, media outlet or other controlling body. The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) Controls the censorship of advertisements in the UK and the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) who regulate censorship in films.

This is a band advertisement by Levis because it shows people playing with fire works and this is classed as dangerous. The people playing with the fireworks look like teenagers. Also it was banned because this advertisement was put out during the times of the London rioting and people in the riots were shooting fire works at people

China’s Censorship

Chinas censorship is very strict especially on the internet with Facebook and twitter as they have there own version of Facebook and twitter where millions of people are employed to monitor people activity and make sure they don’t put anything people of the countries government could find offensive. If they speak badly of the country they will get banned from the site straight away.

What are the arguments for and against censorship?

Censorship is there to protect the eyes of younger children from seeing things that are of e.g. a sexual or a violent nature. Here is a debate on censorship http://www.debate.org/debates/Censorship/3/ I myself agree with having censorship becasue if it was a voilent website or advert I would not want young children to be looking at it as it might give them ideas to become violent and there has been times where young children play 18+ games and think they can act it out at school and this is how I believe fights starts in school. The argument against censorship is that people want to express the freedom of the UK according to this website which is trying to campaign against it http://www.dlas.org.uk/ They want people to portrate anything on advertisment how every they want. Personally I disagree with this.  

Why should under 18's be subject to particular considerations by regulators?

Under 18's undergo many exceptions to the rules set in place by regulatory bodies. This is due to many rules in the media industry regarding under 18's. This is because someone under the age of 18 is not classed as an actual adult therefore needs to be protected according to differetn acts set in place. These come into many things such as data protection and privacy. Under 18's need to be protected to a degree within media sector due to being classed as a child or a young person. In regards to censorship , minors cannot be portrayed negatively This is due to discrimination. Also advertisements for alcohol have to be intentionally not aimed at minors. This means young people cannot be used or encouraged to consume alcohol during and advertisement or publication.