A brief explanation of the Authoritarian Media Theory in Mass Communication studies.

2. A PRESENTATION BY GROUP 1
UNILAG PGD MASS COMM
(2014/15 SET)
MAS 756--Foundations Of
Mass Communication
May 2015

3. Authoritarian Media Theory is
 One of the 6 Normative Theories as
recognized in 1956 by 3 Professors of
Communication-
1. Fred S. Siebert
2.Theodore Peterson and
3. Wilbur Schramm.

4. Authoritarian Theory has
its roots in the 16th and
17th century Europe
(England), where absolute
power rested in the
Monarch.

5. Authoritarian Media Theory
holds that
“THOSE WHO CONTROL THE
GOVERNMENT HAVE THE
MONOPOLY OF THE TRUTH
AND OF INFORMATION”.

6. In this regard…
 the mass media, private or public
(government), work to protect the
interest of the government in power.
 They are not to publish anything that
is under censorship and
 those who do not obey the rules and
regulations are subject to
punishment.

7.  This media theory promotes
1. "top-down-flow" approach
2. Justifies advance “censorship”
3. “Punishment” from eternally set guidelines which
apply to political subject matter
4. “Zealous obedience” to a hierarchical superior
5. “Reliance on threat” to those who did not follow the
censorship rules or did not respect authority

8.  Censorship of the press was justified
on the ground that the State always
took precedence over the
individual's right to freedom of
expression.

9. The "authoritarian" system controls the
media through
1. Repressive press laws and decrees
e.g. Official Secret Acts, National
Security Acts, Decree 4, etc.
2. Proscriptions
3. Heavy taxation
4. Subtle influence on the form and
content of media organizations etc.

10.  In practical terms, the Authoritarian Media Theory
is visibly practised in countries like
1. Iran
2. China
3. North Korea
4. Paraguay and
5. to some extent Nigeria.
 Under these climes, the relationship between the
media and government is top-down approach.

11.  Authoritarian Media is clearly evident in some
media organizations in Nigeria.
 For instance most government-owned (state &
Federal) media organizations, especially radio
and television stations, operate under this
authoritarian notion, in that they only report
news and information that are largely beneficial
and supportive to the government of the day.
Anything otherwise is censored.
 Prior to this democratic dispensation, we used to
have Decree 4 of 1984 under the Gen.
Mohammad Buhari regime which forbids press
freedom and the likes.

12.  In the Authoritarian Theory, truth was
any statement that benefited or
supported the government.
 The exponents of this theory were 15th
and 16th century philosophers,
primarily, Friedrich Hegel, Thomas
Hobbes, and Niccolo Machiavelli.

13.  ANY QUESTIONS?

14.  THANKS FOR LISTENING!

15.  Seun Adeogun
 Adedokun Adeyemi Benjamin
 Adeniyi Adeolu James
 Adepoju Samuel Gbenga