Final answer:
There are seven forms of media ownership, including individual, family, corporate, non-profit, government, trust, and public ownership. Media consolidation has led to a small number of conglomerates controlling a large percentage of media outlets, potentially impacting the diversity of information and viewpoints available.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the various forms of media ownership, it becomes clear that media consolidation has resulted in the majority of media outlets being controlled by a handful of corporations. This trend of a decreasing number of companies owning increasing shares of media entities is known as media consolidation or convergence. In the context of the United States, these conglomerates predominantly own the various channels through which information and entertainment are disseminated.
Here is a list of the seven forms of media ownership:
- Individual Ownership - A single person owns the media outlet.
- Family Ownership - The media outlet is owned by a family, often passed down through generations.
- Corporate Ownership - A corporation, possibly a media conglomerate, owns the media outlet.
- Non-Profit Ownership - The media entity is owned and operated by a non-profit organization and is typically driven by a mission rather than profit.
- Government Ownership - Media outlets are owned by the government and may serve as state-run news organizations.
- Trust Ownership - A media outlet is overseen by a trust to ensure its independence and conformity to a set of agreed-upon principles or objectives.
- Public Ownership - The media outlet is owned by the public, usually in the form of a cooperative or community structure.
The landscape of media ownership has a significant impact on the diversity and plurality of viewpoints available to the public. As seen in historical trends, ownership convergence can raise concerns about the quality and impartiality of information disseminated by the media, with large corporations prioritizing profit over objective reporting.