Theories of Communication

Authoritarian Theory

• According to this theory, mass media, though

not under the direct control of the State, had
to follow its bidding. Under an Authoritarian
approach in Western Europe, freedom of
thought was jealously guarded by a few
people (ruling classes), who were concerned
with the emergence of a new middle class and
were worried about the effects of printed
matter on their thought process.
 Authoritarian Theory
• Steps were taken to control the freedom of
expression. The result was advocacy of complete
dictatorship. The theory promoted zealous
obedience to a hierarchical superior and reliance on
threat and punishment to those who did not follow
the censorship rules or did not respect authority.
Censorship of the press was justified on the ground
that the State always took precedence over the
individual's right to freedom of expression.
 Authoritarian Theory
• This theory stemmed from the authoritarian philosophy
of Plato (407 - 327 B.C), who thought that the State was
safe only in the hands of a few wise men.
• Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679), a British academician,
argued that the power to maintain order was sovereign
and individual objections were to be ignored.
• Engel, a German thinker further reinforced the theory
by stating that freedom came into its supreme right
only under Authoritarianism.
 Authoritarian Theory
• Authoritarians are necessary to control the
media to protect and prevent the people from
the national threats through any form
communication (information or news). The
press is an instrument to enhance the ruler’s
power in the country rather than any threats.
 Censorship:
• Censorship is a suppression of any communication which may
consider as harmful to the people, King, government and its nation.
Especially these censorship methods are much familiar in press
which against the freedom of speech and freedom of expression. In
some other cases, the censorship helps to protect the rulers and
authorities from sensitive issues.
• There are different types of censors like
• Political censor
• Moral censor
• Religious censor
• Military censor
• Corporate censor
 Examples of Authoritarian theory:

• For right Nikolai Yezhov, standing near Stalin was removed from this
photograph after he shot dead in 1940. These types of censors are
common during Stalin’s reign.
 Examples of Authoritarian theory:

• Here, Journalist or any media persons should not have any rights to
comment, discriminate or stand against the government. Sometimes,
an authority gives considerable freedom to minority thoughts and
cultural issues to promote them if it doesn’t make any threats to
authority or ruler.
• Dictatorship – During the world war II Hitler and Mussolini are the
two major authorities who controlled the press in Germany and Italy.
Press was under the control of the authority and No press can’t
question against or publish against these two dictators.
• Few countries blocked wiki leaks website from its country to maintain
the internal security because the wiki leaks are not ready to
compromise with government censorship and realising classified
documents against the government.
 Authoritarian Theory: A case study of Pakistan

• Martial Law regimes in Pakistan have greatly damaged

freedom of press in Pakistan. All martial laws grimes
curtailed all sort of press freedom. In the regime of Ayub
Khan Media became restricted. All news paper owned by
different politicians restricted even though many of them
were closed.
• In other words it is known as “BLACK LAW” till now in the
history of journalism.
• Newspapers were diminished only to criticize and backup
the social issues and never let the attention of readers
towards government policies.
 Authoritarian Theory: A case study of
Pakistan
• Progressive papers limited:- Ayub khan targeted PPL at first because of its
worth. It was a organization of press by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Syed Sibit Hussain
who were heavily penalized by Ayub khan because they wrote in favor of
democracy and against dictator ship. It had following publications under PPL
• Pakistan times
• Amroz
• Lael o nahar
• It was taken over on April 18 1959 by the government.
• News manager of ppl Lahore zameer quraishi was murdered by unknown
persons. 
• However, in 1963, just one year after the adoption of the new constitution, the
Press and Publications Ordinance (PPO) came into being. This ordinance
contained the harshest of laws curtailing freedom of expression and the
progressive development of the media.
 Authoritarian Theory: A case study of
Pakistan
• General Khan relied heavily on one of the measures of this ordinance, the
system of "press advice" given out by the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting in order to avoid publication of news and reports deemed
unsuitable for public consumption.

• It was also during this period that newspapers and magazines known for their
independent and progressive views were first taken over by the government

• In 1977, General Zia ul Haq ousted Bhutto from the prime minister position
and once again imposed martial law under which abuse of journalists became
public rather than covert. Journalists were flogged in public at Zia's whim.
•  
 Authoritarian Theory: A case study of
Pakistan
• During his reign free journalism was also not there. To take control over the
press the old methods were applied such as stop government
advertisements, cancelling of declaration, reduce news prints etc. there was
a new critical situation for journalists of that time that was the military court
punishments on which there journalists became very aggressive. Zamir niazi
said on this issue
• "13th may 1978 was the darkest day in the history of journalism when the
military court announces the punishment of hunters for the four
journalists."

• These journalists were sentenced with prison labor for different durations
with heavy fines and hunters Punishment. In this time government took
advantages from the martial law regulations for putting restrictions on press.
 Libertarianism or Free Press Theory
• Advocates of this theory were Lao Tzu, an early 16th century
philosopher, John Locke of Great Britain in the17th century, John
Milton, the epic poet and John Stuart Mill, an essayist ("On Liberty").
• Milton in Aeropagitica in 1644, referred to a self righting process if
free expression is permitted "let truth and falsehood grapple.“
• In 1789, the French, in their Declaration Of The Rights Of Man, wrote
"Every citizen may speak, write and publish freely." Out of such
doctrines came the idea of a "free marketplace of ideas."
• George Orwell defined libertarianism as "allowing people to say things
you do not want to hear".
• Libertarians argued that the press should be seen as the Fourth Estate
reflecting public opinion.
 Libertarianism or Free Press 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
• .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.
• There is a flow of all kinds of information. All of the people are subjected to
interpret and decide which information they need and the authenticity of the
information. Rationality of human beings makes them able to do so. The press
should not restrict any information, even criticizing the policies. Though media
has enormous power, abuse of power can be dealt legally.
Major Features of Libertarian Theory of Mass
Communication
• There is absolute freedom to media, media plays the role of a watchdog.
• In libertarian theory, there is freedom of thought 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 & weaknesses
• Strengths of Libertarian Theory of Mass Communication
• 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.
 Strengths & weaknesses
• Weaknesses of Libertarian Theory of Mass Communication
• 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.
 CLASSICAL THEORIES –
Social Responsibility Theory

• Virulent critics of the Free Press Theory were Wilbur Schramm, Siebert and
Theodore Paterson. In their book Four Theories Of Press, they stated "pure
libertarianism is antiquated, outdated and obsolete.“
• They advocated the need for its replacement by the Social Responsibility
theory. This theory can be said to have been initiated in the United States by
the Commission of The Freedom Of Press, 1949. The commission found that
the free market approach to press freedom had only increased the power of
a single class and has not served the interests of the less well-off classes.
• The emergence of radio, TV and film suggested the need for some means of
accountability. Thus the theory advocated some obligation on the part of the
media to society.
• A judicial mix of self regulation and state regulation and high professional
standards were imperative.
 CLASSICAL THEORIES –
Social Responsibility Theory
• Social Responsibility theory thus became the modern
variation in which the duty to one"s conscience was
the primary basis of the right of free expression.
• Social responsibility is ethics that guide any action,
be it in media or other organizations, that put an
obligation towards environment, society, culture and
economy. The media like any other sector should not
harm, but should promote environment and socio-
cultural aspects in relation to the economy of the
place.
 Social Responsibility Theory
• Social Responsibility theory of mass media is relatively a new concept
which started in the mid-20th century and is used mostly by developing
and least developed countries. The theory started from Europe and
took a shape with the Commission on the Freedom of Press that
happened in United States in 1949. The model was designed formally
by Siebert, Peterson and Schramm in 1956 in their book.
• It encourages total freedom to press and no censorship, but it should
be regulated according to social responsibilities and external controls.
Content is also filtered through public obligation and interference.
• The theory replaced libertarian theory with the view that libertarianism
was outdated. The theory also incorporates some aspects of
authoritarian theory. After the emergence of this theory,
professionalism in media started to be taken seriously.
 Social Responsibility Theory Concepts

• The social responsibility theory of mass media

changed the way press published news from
objective reporting to interpretative reporting.
Before this theory, facts were presented without any
interpretation.
• The audience interpreted it the way they wanted to.
This caused problems as interpretation was not
based on reality and it affected the social order.
• Interpretative reporting and investigative reporting
started to uncover the reality behind every case.
 Strengths & Weaknesses
• Strengths of Social Responsibility Theory
• It helps in avoiding conflicts during wars and conflicts.
• It accepts public opinion and works for the citizens.
• Press and media houses do not have monopoly as rules and ethics
guide them.
• The media publishes truth due to regulatory activities and their
moral obligation to do so .
• Yellow journalism decreases as media can be questioned by the
law and public.
• There is pluralism and diversification on news and people involved.
• The voiceless and marginalized people are able to raise their voice.
 Strengths & Weaknesses
• Weaknesses of Social Responsibility Theory
• Ethics are always vague, ambiguous and differ from
case to case.
• It is difficult to determine who sets clear principles
and standards.
• Social responsibility and ethics are morally obligatory
things. Any form of legal limitations should not be
imposed if media is just working in the principle of
responsibility. Laws are authoritative and not
democratic concepts.
 CLASSICAL THEORIES - Soviet Media/Communist Theory

• This theory is derived from the ideologies of Marx and Engel

that "the ideas of the ruling classes are the ruling ideas". It was
thought that the entire mass media was saturated with
bourgeois ideology. Lenin thought of private ownership as
being incompatible with freedom of press and that modern
technological means of information must be controlled for
enjoying effective freedom of press.
• The theory advocated that the sole purpose of mass media was
to educate the great masses of workers and not to give out
information. The public was encouraged to give feedback as it
was the only way the media would be able to cater to its
interests.
 CLASSICAL THEORIES - Soviet
Media/Communist Theory
• Media is taken as a part of the state in Communist
Theory. The ownership of media is with the state
and the country runs the media as per their wishes
to fulfill their propaganda of control.
• The communist party owns all the media of the
country. Media is supposed to work for the
betterment of the state, communism and whatever
the elite of the communist party tells them to do.
Deterring the growth of communism is taken as a
crime. 
 CLASSICAL THEORIES - Soviet
Media/Communist Theory
• Criticism of small parts of the government work is accepted but
criticizing the state as a whole is prohibited in communist theory of
mass media.
• Citizens are taken to be irrational and stupid and masses are kept away
from the government. They are just provided with propaganda and
basic knowledge. Government activities are not to be known to general
public. Whatever rulers said becomes the ruling idea.
• The difference between Authoritarian theory and the communist
theory is that in authoritarian, there is private ownership of media but
in soviet communist theory, the control lies in very small number of
leaders in soviet communist theory.
• Government is taken as the most superior, powerful and important
than all including media.
 Features of Communist Theory of Mass Communication

• Media followed communist ideology of governance and political

system
• Media was used to transmit propaganda and for transmission of social
policies
• Media was taken as government instrument
• Media was owned by the state
• Criticism of communist ideology was taken as a crime
• It helped the working class to work better and highlighting their
problems and it made people aware about communism
• The theory was a positive one as it tried to ensure truthful information
and not let the information get manipulated by private media houses
• Feedback was accepted
 Example of Communist Theory of Mass Communication

• The then Soviet Union controlled the media totally by publishing all
the good things about their country and governance while not
showing anything that could make the people feel agitated about their
own nation.
• They promoted their own culture and traditions as the best. They also
did not give out news about disasters and accidents.

• On the other hand, they showed every bad

aspect of culture and social systems of other democratic countries like
US. They also told their government system was better than
democracy. That is how propaganda was bestowed upon all.
• These techniques were solely based on their communist ideologies
representing the Communist Theory in full.
 Criticisms of Communist Theory of Mass Communication

• Propaganda based information is only delivered. The information

might be false.
• No media can criticize the government and the government will not
get the chance to improve.
• Authoritative obstruction can be found for every type of media.
• There can be many restrictions and there is a concept of
punishment.
• Leader is taken as the greatest and citizens are not given
importance.
• The media cannot play the role of the watchdog.
• The development of the nation depends on the characteristics of
the leader.