Media Systems in the UK, Canada, and Japan

Figuring out media systems is difficult! So here goes nothin...

In the UK I believe that the primary media system is the Social Responsibility model with the Libertarian model following close behind. In the pring world in the UK, there are a lot of newpapers and magazines to choose from that are privately owned! The marketplace of ideas is quite free. However, in the broadcast world, the UK puts quotas on programs of public importance (news, childrens' programming etc.) There is also a govt. owned television broadcaster (BBC!). I feel that the UK has a stronger governmental presence in the media than the others.

Canada was especially difficult to determine. I believe the primary media system is the Libertarian model with Social Responsibility model as the secondary one. The media is very similar to the US and although there are quotas on how much nat'l content must be played, the quota can be overlooked if there isn't enough of the nat'l content to play.

In Japan, I believe that the primary media system is Libertarian with the secondary being Democratic-Participant. The govt. has a very small role it seems in the media world. There is a variety of programming with very few restrictions. People are very interested and invested in the media in Japan as well according to the time they spend with it each day. People have very good internet access as well with very very few restricitons compared to even the US!

Media in Europe and such...

The article in the CJR by Mariah Blake was disturbing to say the least. I can see the situation from both points of view. As a journalist, I always want the most information the fastest. However, compromising my ethical values by listening to a private phone message or paying off officials for seriously private information is beyond what I could do. Stories should be written from what is outas public information and what can be attained legally. But I also see the side that if something shady or criminal is happening in the government or hollywood, it's important for it to be recognized. Something needs to be done to curb the black market trade of information but without completely regulating journalists. What that something is I don't know!