Media Monopoly

Paper Summary:

Using the example of AOL Time-Warner, this paper discusses how the media monopolies affect modern society. It argues that the increasing control of the media by a handful of corporations means that, more and more, it is they who control what the average American reads, sees, and hears. The paper argues that there is a huge conflict of interest between what is in the best interest of media corporations and what is in the best interest of society.

From the Paper:

"In 1983, fifty corporations controlled the vast majority of all news media in the United States. According to the book The Media Monopoly written by Ben Bagdikian and published in 1992, "in the U.S., fewer than two dozen of these companies own and operate ninety percent of the mass media" -- controlling almost all of America's newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, books, records, movies, videos, wire services and photo agencies. When a new edition of The Media Monopoly was published in 2000, the number had fallen to six. Since 2000, there have been more mergers and Internet media has increased in importance. But, the Internet hasn't made the problem go away. In fact, more than one in five of all Internet users in the United Sates log in through America Online, a service of AOL Time-Warner, the world's largest media corporation. Monopolization of the media has dangerous consequences for American society and culture."

More papers on Media Monopoly:

• Analytical Essay # 69507 : "The Media Monopoly"
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• Comparison Essay # 41086 : "Monopoly Issues in "Old" and "New" Media."

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