Week 2 - The Political Economy of Film and Television: Production and Consumption

Todays lecture focused on Political Economy and the Public Sphere. The main focus was

large organisations fundamental three main points which were funding, organisation and

regulation. We looked at how these media institutions interact within a capitalist’s society

whilst also also focusing on the work of Jürgen Habremas.

The first reading Political Economy of the Media focused on the ideal of a “free market"

particularly the process of ‘keeping prices low and product quality high.’ (Long, 2012: 174) It

then went onto explore ‘Economies of scale’ which looks at lowering costs by making the

increasing a corporation’s sales and profits, coined at ‘improves profit margins.’ (Long, 2012:

179) This links to Ien Ang who looked at advertisements and the strategic placement and

inclusion of them. However, it raises the issue of dominate corporations using funds to

quickly expand due to wealth as they soon will be able to control the audiences. (Long,

2012: 180)

The second reading by Ang Ien explores this concept of ‘two systems’ built around the

communicative framework of broadcasting, she goes onto define one a political purposed

and a cultural purposed broadcaster however they’re connected with the commercial and

public service which is broadcast television. (Ien, 1991) The reading focuses on the large

sums of money generated and collected by TV channels, this is due to companies and large

investors pour hundreds if not millions to promote their corporations. Described as

‘subordinated to the overriding profit maximising goal’ to further promote this capitalist

ideas using wealth and social supremacy to fund their ideas. (Ien, 1991)

In regards to my own research, I found quite a few compelling articles however the one which stood out the most was “Political Economy of Hong Kong” written by Anthony Y. H. Fung. The article focuses on how media is changing and self-censorship. It primarily looks at the the leading media organisations and the impact they had on press freedom and diversity in Hong Kong. Ien believes that there is proof in his argument that the changes are leading to a ‘greater good' (Fung, 2007:159). Change to regulations and the political economy bankrupted many media outlets yet in the process allowed for better much more powerful and competitive to flourish.

References:

Anthony Y. H. Fung (2007): “Political Economy of Hong Kong Media: Producing a Hegemonic Voice”, Asian Journal of Communication

Ang, Ien (1991): Chapter 2 "Audience-as-market and audience-as-public" Desperately Seeking the Audience. London: Routledge.

Long, P and Wall, T (2012) ‘Political Economy of the Media’ IN Media Studies: Texts, Production, Context (2nd Edition), London: Pearson.