The theories of the press are frameworks that help us understand the role of the media in society. These theories provide insight into how the media functions works.
At least four different press systems exist whose types evolved form, and are in large measure dependent upon, the philosophies of governments now controlling the destinies of various world powers There is another press system, Islamic press system, complete and comprehensive press system, but not exist in any part of the world, in real shape
The press in each country various from that of other nations States in some measure because of the difference in cultural and political growth patterns, but in general the various press systems, or types of journalistic control, may be-classified as; Authoritarian, Free Press (libertarian). Communist Press System, and S R. T The detail of each are as follows.
Authoritarian Press System
This ‘patent’ system existed for about 200 years in England. Absolute control by the government of every branch of journalism similarly characterizes the press of other types of dictator states.
This theory comes from the philosophy of statehood that defends absolute power. In the authoritarian press theory, the press must support government policy and serve the state. Not only that, publishers are also supervised through patents, publishing permits, and censorship.
In fascist, totalitarian states symbolized by Hitler’s Germany and various quasi fascist states today, the press is regarded as semi official arm of the all powerful state opinion In this sense it is not an agency of private initiative, but of the government.
The journalist has to meet certain qualifications as to race, creed, and competency. Generally, he has to be enrolled in a government registry which issues him a licensee or permit to practice journalism. Further and of special import, he is always a member of the district association, which is a unit of the national body. This national association is a branch of the press chamber in the ministry, which is Germany was called Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda. The minister is responsible only to the leader regardless of the title used.
Today the authoritarian system of the press is still in operation in many parts of the world In communist countries, in nations under dictatorial control, and in some third world countries, a free press is little more than a theory without practice.
Free Press System
A free press is simply the recognized and protected right together and disseminate news according to fact, and views according to conviction, provide neither libel nor scurrility is involved Liberty to print all the news that are fit to print is its chief characteristics.
The libertarian system is the absolutely opposite of the Authoritarian and developed slowly in the 16th century John Milton, Thomas Jefferson, John Stuart Mill and Erskine were its founders According to Milton,, people should have unlimited access to the ideas and thoughts of other men Erskine argued that people seek to enlighten others.
Libertarian theory provides the basis for unlimited freedom to the press. Therefore, the press provides the most information, entertainment, and sells the most copies. However, the press is also the least in exercising control over the government.
John Stuart MUI says: People had the right to think and eat as they please if they did not infringe on the rights of others
According to Jefferson: The press was the instrument to inform the people and therefore, had to be free of control.
Under a free press system, few controls can be applied by the government to cure abuses, in England and the United States the high level of professional self censorship, is aided frequent!’, by public opinion and professional critics of the press.
The concept of freedom of the press has evolved to mean an absence of definite restrictions. A government license or permit to publish a newspaper was employed in early England to suppress opposition to the government.
According to this system, press freedom means, that no court or administrative order may be placed against a newspaper to prevent publication of information or opinions even though such publication would be libelous or seditious Today it also means freedom from arbitrary and excessive taxation aimed to control or injure the press.
Freedom of the press means the freedom to criticize the government, its officials in their conduct of government and all other persons and organization whose activities affect the public welfare.
Communist Press System
This system is one of absolute government control, theoretically in .the interest of the proletariat, which in Soviet Russia means solely in the interests of the communist system
According to ‘widely propagandized communist doctrine the Russian press is. worker owned and controlled Private ownership of newspapers does not exist In its place is a system of co-operative ownership.
Wilbur Schramm explains that mass communication in the soviet communist theory is an instrument of the state The two large Soviet newspapers, Pravda and Izvestiya. are the best examples.
Broadcasting under the- Soviet communist theory likewise is designed-not so much to serve the public but to inform it Programming is again instrument of the state and the medium is important to it because of the large numbers of people that broadcasting can reach.
Today, the Russian press is for all practical purposes the carefully guarded property of the Soviet Politburo. Through the control of the government and the communist party both effectively led by Khrushchev the press of Russia is thoroughly regimented to report news and opinions without important deviation from whatever may be the current Kermlin policy interpretation. Thus, most news and all opinions are controlled.
The basic characteristic of the communist press is that it is devoted to the mass indoctrination of the population This Indoctrination is called education. To an extent, ii is the dissemination of knowledge and techniques, but more often the instruction is not education but communistic indoctrination carried on in a steady, ordered, and repetitive fashion on a gigantic all inclusive scale
The communist press system differs in control but little from the fascist system All of the controls employed by Nazi Germany under Hitler and Fascist Italy under Mussolini are in force in Soviet Russia and her satellite states today The one difference is that Russia -applies previous censorship to what is intended for publication whereas the fascists developed an efficiency method of post censorship.
The communist press dedicated to mass education in the communist philosophy has no place for sensationalism, triviality or venality On the other hand it follows a policy of propaganda and falsehood concerning all opposition creeds and parties And to say that the Russian press is filled with distortions of affairs in capitalistic countries is a gross understatement.
Social Responsibility Theory
Reporting from the book Law, Ethics and Media Policy (Regulation, Practice and Theory) (2015) by Radita Gora and Irwanto, the most basic principle of this theory is that the press has a number of obligations to society. This responsibility is outlined in regulations and a code of ethics.
The theory of socially responsible press is a change or development of the previous theory, namely the free press theory.
There are five conditions on how the press must fulfill its social responsibilities, namely:
- The media must provide reliable, complete and intelligent reporting in a context that gives it meaning.
- The media should serve as a forum for the exchange of comments and criticism.
- The media must project a truly representative picture of constituent groups in society.
- The media must present and explain the goals and values of society.
- The media must provide full access to hidden information, at any time.
Comparison with Free System and Communist System
The first essential difference between the authoritarian and the free press.system is that the fascist journalist is compelled In the government to serve the public welfare according to the principles of his government, while the American journalist is free to serve the public according to democratic and constitutional principles without compulsion except that of his conscience, his profession, and his public.
The American journalist is free to commit antisocial acts like coloring, suppression, sensationalism and even propagandizing in the new without punishment except that which may come from his subscribers.
The fascist journalist is prevented from committing certain antisocial acts, like sensationalism, trial by newspaper and triviality But the fascist journalist is compelled to publish news that is colored and propagandized and to suppose information in the interest of the controlling philosophy of government acts’ which free press advocates would define as antisocial because they alter the truth.
The second essential difference is that a fascist press is compelled frequently to mutilate the news, whereas the American press is given the choice of conducting itself uprightly or not.
Another fundamental difference lies in the degree of trust in the press. Fascism distrusts the press. Therefore, the press is deprived of responsibility. Enforced loyalty to a dominate party is required by both the fascist and the communist press system.
In conclusion, the theories of the press provide valuable insights into the role of the media in society. By understanding these frameworks, we can better evaluate the information we consume and critically analyze the media landscape