Monopoly

A monopoly is where a company or individual has a share in a particular product, medium or argument. Rupert Murdoch has a large monopoly of many companies in the media; under News International are the newspapers: the Sun and the Times, along with over 800 other smaller companies around the world including Fox, Sky and HarperCollins.

It is important that no single media producer in the UK has a monopoly because all media would be bias and almost fascist in that certain news/opinions could be censored or endorsed to manipulate peoples own interests or concerns to uniform.

Consumer choice is important as it allows individuals to opt for services which they think best suits them. People choose specific newspapers published by different companies because it expresses the political views they believe in, people choose certain TV packages from different companies because the programming is best suited to them; a younger person may choose packages with ITV 2, MTV and similar, an older person may prefer Sky Arts, ITV 3 or similar. If there was no consumer choice then everything would be the same, specific to what one company or government believes people should be allowed to know or see.

Censorship is the restrictions put in place to avoid perverting people’s interests. In pre-recorded broadcast media, censorship can occur in words or conversations being edited out. In many countries, censorship is more restrictive than others; for example in China, all references to politics is prohibited (not just in the media) – websites, TV shows and movies from outside countries are all either edited or banned before being released in China.

There is a fine line between censorship and protecting public interest because censorship is put in place to protect public interest only by non-restricting companies or governments: when a James Bond film was shown on British Airways, a scene involving a Virgin plane was cut from the movie – it was not to protect the public interest but to shun a rival company. In restrictive governments, like Russia or China; censorship is used broadly to protect the public from what that government thinks they should be censored from; not necessarily what they believe is dangerous (like references to Homosexuality) but anything which degrades their country’s leaders or could influence a revolt against them.

Under18s should be subject to particular consideration by regulators as the majority are easily influenced by the media. If there was no censorship for under 18s, then they could be subject to  violence or ‘foul’ language which could traumatise them. Agreed, the system is flawed and many believe that it should be changed, but there should be a system in place to censor under 18s.

Legal Constraints

Libel Law

You can be sued for damages if you publish or broadcast things about a person which are untrue and damage their reputation (defame them) The law was created to protect individuals or organisations from unwarranted, mistaken or untruthful attacks on their reputation.
Twitter users produced incorrect defamatory comments on Lord McAlpine accusing him of child sex abuse, in addition to BBC’s Newsnight suggesting he was a paedophile. The Conservative peer sought to threaten legal action against the Twitter users including actor and comedian; Alan Davies, who was fined £15,00.

Official Secrets Act 1989

It is a criminal offence to obtain or publish any information from a serving or former member of the security and intelligence services or from certain categories of civil servants or public contractors where that disclosure would be damaging.
Peter Wright published the book: Spycatcher which revealed that in the 1960s, MI5 conspired to discredit prime minister: Harold Wilson. Thatcher’s current government claimed that Wright owed a lifelong duty to confidentiality.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Law

This law exists to protect people's creative endeavours so that they can properly benefit from their work. If such protection didn't exist and people were able to copy or sell or profit from another's work, there would be little incentive for people to create in the first place. Programme-makers are responsible for ensuring that all necessary clearances (copyright, trademarks etc.) have been obtained for their programmes.
The MET police have owned the copyright to the ‘police box’ image since they began in service to the present day. The BBC has tried numerous times to buy the copyright for the image as it is only ever used in Doctor Who since they went out of service and were majorly scrapped in the 1960s. The MET have refused to sell the copyright however, so the BBC has to pay royalties.

Privacy Law

If a media company publishes information about someone which is information that should be considered private, that is to say, information in respect of which you had a ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’, then legal action for misuse of private information can be brought under the Human Rights Act 1998.
The Phone Hacking Scandal of the News of the World newspaper, in which employees had hacked into the phones of many people in the news (inc. celebrities, politicians and ordinary civilians). The company were accused when messages were deleted on Millie Dowler’s phone.

Obscene Publications Act 1959

This Act intends to ensure that the media does not negatively influence or corrupt the audience it is intended for. Lawyers may need to check whether a production breaks this law before it is released. Content such as sexually explicit, violent and/or drug taking is reviewed for suitability. Decisions are made dependent on factors such as age range of the audience, the time a production is broadcast.

The Italian government accused the makers of the film adaptation of the Da Vinci Code of obscenity towards the Catholic religion for suggesting that the characters: Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were in a relationship and had children. The people accused, including the Ron Howard and writer: Dan Brown, had to appear in court (around the time they were shooting the sequel to the movie) in 2007.

Professional Behaviour

Punctuality

Whether it is being punctual for an interview or the job itself, it sets the right impression. It is best to be early, usually by about 10-15 minutes as it shows you can be relied upon to be on time.

Reliability

If you can be trusted with handling certain responsibilities, then you  are more likely to keep your job or be promoted to a higher role in the business - it greatly helps the business improve and get jobs done quicker and more efficiently.

Communication Skills

To have the ability to talk to people confidently anywhere is the supports of any business. In media, the ability to choose random people and talk to them - be it for a vox pop or a possible client; working in a team is a huge part of media production and the ability to tell other people what to do and ask others questions all relys on good communication skills. It is important to have a motivational attitude and good self presentation as these tend to get people listening to you, to be outwardly friendly also makes you approachable.

Time Management

To organise time and how you use it is just as good as reliability, you can not be trusted if you do not organise your use of time. Knowing where to be at a particular time, what you should be doing, what time you give for planning and making arrangements. It is useful to keep a schedule or a diary, to aid with planning.

Organisation

Organisation

Self Presentation

Working in a Team

To be able to work well with others is crutial, particularly in jobs where you are required to work in a team - especially in a media role. Many people can be easily relied upon when they work well with others and work is often completed quicker due to good communication skills.

Working to on your Own Initiative

Commitment

Commitment get's people interested in the work, if they weren't interested in the work then they wouldn't be bothered to complete it or d it properly. Lack of commitment lets the team down, inefficient punctuality or lack of organisation han greatly depress the flow of a production; if a microphone operator fails to turn up for a shoot then the team is unable to record.

Motivation

To have the motivation to work is important as it acts as a driving force to get the work done. To encourage others to work, particularly in a team, is essential in the role of a manager- it drives employees to want to do the work rather than just doing it; motivating others requires good communication skills and is crutial in working in a team.