Authoritarian & Liberitarian Theory - Barnita Sahani

Authoritarian
&
Libertarian Theory
Submitted by:
Barnita Sahani
Authoritarian Theory
● Authoritarian theory of mass communication originated from the
philosophy of Plato (407-327 B.C.). The English monarchs used this
approach when the printing press was invented by censoring, licensing,
taxation and making laws.
● It is a normative theory of mass communication where mass media is
influenced and overpowered by power and authority in the nations.
● Media must respect what authorities want and work according to the
wishes of the authorities though, not under direct control of the state or
ruling classes.
● The press and media cannot work independently and their works are
suspected to censorship.
● Direct control of the media by government and
authorities
Major Features of ●
●
Power exercised to control media
Control by the powerful ruling minorities or a group of
Authoritarian Theory ●
ruling majorities
Media has no power to criticize the government, its
of Mass ●
work, decisions and policies
Media can not offend the ruling parties in any way
Communication ● Punishment and threats are given to the people who

try to offend the government and the powerful
● Licensing of media by the state and giving limited
rights (registration)
● Cancelation of license if the media does anything
wrong to the government
● Clear limits on what media can publish
● Ownership is mostly private
● Concept of propaganda
● Control might be on all issues or just some particular
issues
● Media is used as a weapon or an instrument to
strengthen the power of the government
Strengths of ● This approach is sometimes better for
resolving social and cultural conflicts.
Authoritarian Theory ● It is also better sometimes because it
motivates people to work for the
of Mass ●
country and its people.
This theory can act as a gatekeeper and
Communication prevent the media that act
irresponsibly.
● The theory can be used for establishing
propaganda.
Weaknesses of ● Common people are taken as less
intelligent and as an easy target to
Authoritarian Theory ●
manipulate.
The ruling class uses the media only
of Mass ●
for their own benefits.
The freedom of expression and
Communication information of normal people is
attacked.
Libertarian Theory
● Libertarian theory or the Free Press Theory is one of the Normative
Theories of mass communication where media or press is given absolute
freedom to publish anything at any time and acts as a watchdog.
● The theory came from the libertarian thoughts of Europe during the
16th century after the invention of printing press and after the press
movement. It was advocated by many renowned personalities like Lao
Tzu, John Locke, John Milton, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Jefferson, etc.
and is still famous in England and America.
● The libertarian theory is just the opposite of the Authoritarian theory of
mass media where information is controlled by the state or the
authorities.
● In libertarian theory, media is supposed to be privately owned.
● The theory believes in freedom of thought and individualism.

● There is no control of authority and everybody has the right to voice
their opinion. There is also no censorship and government must not hold
any power to control and suppress media.
Major Features of ●
●
There is absolute freedom to media, media plays
the role of a watchdog.
In libertarian theory, there is freedom of thought
Libertarian Theory ●
and expression.
There is also freedom of information and
individualism.
● No censorship of any kind is to be done.
● There is high competition among alternative ideas
and thoughts.
● The government does not own the media and
media is a different body in the functioning of the
state.
● Media is accountable to the law of the country.
● Media must follow a code of conduct.
● Media encourages pluralist truths like both side of
the same story.
● The media accepts a Laissez-faire approach in
which there are not many set rules that they have
to follow. They can work as they want.
Strengths of ● Media can give true information
without any control.
●
There is no censorship.
All individuals can express their
opinions and thoughts in the media
openly.
● The theory encourages healthy
competition among the thoughts and
ideas.
● Every work will be transparent to all.
● It checks the government and the
state authorities and also prevents
corruption.
● It functions with democracy.
Weaknesses of ●
●
Media might not always act responsibly.
Individuals might not always have good
intentions and ethics.
People can not always make rational
judgments.
● Freedom of different type of people,
their ideas, opinions, school of thoughts,
and group objectives can be in a conflict.
● Media can misuse its power and harm
other people’s privacy and dignity.
● Media might defame, cause sedition,
libel or slander, be immodest, publish
obscenity and cause trouble.
● Media might challenge the security of
the state.

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Authoritarian

Communication ● Punishment and threats are given to the people who

● The theory believes in freedom of thought and individualism.

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