The sixth journalism lecture was on the topic of commercial media. If I'm just thinking from memory, it wasn't a particularly interesting lecture. Mr. Redman covered how Australia commercial media is interconnected. I wasn't aware that so much of the media aren't independent to each other. Most of the popular and commercialised media are owned by just a few major media conglomerates. Whether it be television, newspapers, magazines, radio and online content, they usually lead back to the same company name.
Money needs to come from somewhere so most of the media outlets make money from either advertising or subscription based services. The Australian commercial media is constantly running a fine line between maintaining their commitment to providing unbiased news and accepting advertising. Media outlets generally self regulate to keep themselves from corrupting their social responsibility to provide unbiased and insightful content. They're are also independant statutory bodies in place for when it's unclear whether content is researched or simply paid for.
I don't really have much more to say than that. The commercial side of media doesn't interest me at all. In fact, some aspects of it infuriates me. I didn't get into journalism to learn about business, political opinions and advertising. In saying that, public media only resonates with me slightly more.
It's an interesting topic though, especially considering the Rupert Murdoch fiasco. In saying that I have no interest in business, political opinions or advertising either, however it is a major part of our society. Media influences who we are to a much greater extent than we realise.
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