FREE PRESS THEORY/LIBERTARIAN THEORY

THE ORIGIN OF THE LIBERTARIAN THOUGHT

Modern Libertarian thought can be traced back to sixteenth-century European era when feudal aristocracies exercised arbitrary power over the lives of most people. This era was also rocked by major social upheaval. International trade and urbanization undermined the power of these rural aristocracies and several social and political movements sprang up, most notably the Protestant Reformation that demanded greater freedom for individuals over their own lives and thoughts (Altschull, 1990). Libertarian theory arose in opposition to authoritarian theoryan idea that placed all forms of communication under the control of a governing elite or authorities (Siebert, Peterson, and Schramm, 1956). Authorities justified their control as a means 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 or licenses to media practitioners. These practitioners could be jailed for violating their charters, and charters or licenses could be revoked. Censorship of all types, therefore, was easily possible. Authoritarian control tended to be exercised in arbitrary, erratic ways. Sometimes considerable freedom might exist to publicize minority viewpoints and culture, as long as authorities didnt perceive a direct threat to their power. Unlike totalitarianism, authoritarian theory doesnt prioritize cultivation of a homogeneous national culture. It only requires acquiescence to a governing elite. In rebelling against authoritarian theory, early Libertarians argued that if individuals could be freed from the arbitrary limits on communication imposed by church and state, they would naturally follow the dictates of their conscience, seek truth, engage in public debate, and ultimately create a better life for themselves and others (McQuail, 1987; Siebert, Peterson, and Schramm, 1956). Libertarians blamed authorities for preserving unnatural, arbitrary social orders. They believed strongly in the power of unrestricted public debate and discussion to create more natural ways of structuring society. Many early Libertarians were Protestants rebelling 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

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 Locke of 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 as allowing 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 revolution against 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 houses must 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.

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.

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

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