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Media ownership and its impacts on content

Published : Saturday, 10 May, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 475
Masum Billah
In recent days, media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and disseminating information. The media's role is not only to publish news but also to set agendas for society, frame the political landscape, and steer public discourse.

However, the influence of media is not solely determined by its content but also by its owners. Media ownership is a vital factor that can significantly shape the nature of the content produced and the perspectives it presents. In this article, we will examine how media ownership impacts content and the consequences of concentrated media ownership.

Over the last few decades, the media landscape has undergone a significant transformation due to technological advances and the growing influence of conglomerates. Today, a few large corporations control a substantial portion of the global media industry. According to WebFX, six companies-National Amusements, Disney, TimeWarner, Comcast, News Corp, and Sony-own almost all media worldwide. Similarly, in Bangladesh, a few large corporations, including the Bashundhara Group, Transcom Group, Jamuna Group, Ha-Meem Group, and City Group, control almost all mainstream media outlets.

This concentration of ownership has raised concerns about the diversity of viewpoints, press independence, and potential conflicts of interest.

The integration of media ownership means that a handful of corporations control not only what is broadcast or published, but also how narratives are shaped, whose voices are heard, and which topics are prioritized. For example, media outlets owned by large corporations may prioritize stories that benefit their parent organizations.

Influence of Corporate Interests on Content: Media conglomerates, like any other businesses, are driven by profit. This often results in content that reflects the interests of the owners or advertisers rather than the needs or concerns of the audience. Corporate owners may pressure journalists to avoid stories that could damage their financial interests.

For instance, if a media outlet is owned by a corporation with significant investments in the oil and energy industry, it may be less likely to report critically on environmental issues or climate change.

Moreover, advertisers hold considerable influence in the media industry. In some cases, advertisers' demands may shape editorial decisions, as media outlets try to avoid conflicts with their revenue sources. As a result, the media's role as a watchdog becomes questionable, and the content presented to the public may become more commercialized and biased.

Impact on Journalism and Public Discourse: When media is concentrated in the hands of a few powerful players, it can undermine the quality of journalism. With fewer independent outlets, the diversity of reporting and investigative journalism may diminish, reducing the media's ability to hold power to account. In countries where a handful of conglomerates dominate the media, news stories often become homogenized. Journalists may be pressured to follow editorial guidelines set by their corporate owners rather than pursue stories based on journalistic integrity or public interest.

The democratic process faces challenges when the space for independent journalism is limited. A free and independent press is a prerequisite for democracy, as it provides citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions. However, when media ownership is concentrated, the flow of information shrinks, and citizens are deprived of a broad range of perspectives.

Impact on Political Coverage: One of the most concerning aspects of concentrated media ownership is its effect on political coverage. Media outlets owned by a few large corporations have the power to influence public opinion on political candidates, policies, and issues. By choosing which stories to highlight and how to frame them, media owners can shape the political landscape in ways that serve their interests.

For example, during elections, media outlets may promote their preferred candidates or downplay those seen as unfavorable to the owners' interests, potentially influencing the outcome of elections. It has also been observed that some media owners themselves become election candidates. In such cases, the particular media outlet cannot maintain neutrality, as the candidate is also its owner.

The Role of Digital Media and Social Platforms: Nowadays, almost everyone relies heavily on social media platforms for updates, which has further transformed the media landscape. Although digital platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google have democratized information flow and increased public participation, they are owned by a small number of tech giants, raising concerns about how algorithms and business models influence content.

Social media platforms use algorithms designed to maximize user engagement and advertising revenue. As a result, sensational, controversial, or emotionally charged content often gets prioritized over fact-based reporting. This has led to the proliferation of misinformation, echo chambers, and divisive narratives. Moreover, the business interests of tech giants may lead to the suppression of certain types of content, especially if they challenge their business models or political interests.

The concentration of media ownership significantly influences content, reduces the diversity of perspectives, and affects the overall functioning of democratic society. When only a few owners control most media outlets, content becomes more commercialized and biased, often protecting the interests of the owners and limiting the range of voices and journalistic quality.

It is essential to promote media diversity, protect independent journalism, and regulate media ownership concentration. A free and independent press is vital to ensuring that citizens have access to diverse, unbiased, and accurate information. Only by safeguarding these principles can we preserve the media's role as the fourth estate in a democratic society.

The writer is sub-editor at The Daily Observer


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