Question

The threat is not that the business owns mass media. Ownership of media by business is the best method there is and with all its faults, it is not in itself bad. But, narrow control, or ownership by a few select corporations, is bad. Like all small groups, the corporations that control the media have similar interests and concentrated power. Because of this, they cannot be open and flexible enough to reflect the full richness and variety of society's values and needs. The answer is not for the government to control the media. The answer is the opposite. It is the restoration of genuine competition and diversity in the private market.

In this passage, the author states that a consequence of media owned by a few corporations
a. is the best method of ownership
b. eliminates differences in outlook
c. provides fair, open and flexible reporting
d. reflects a variety of society's values

Answer 1

The author argues that a few corporations' control of media results in a reduction of differing views and a lack of representation for society's values.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the passage provided, the author suggests that a consequence of media ownership by a few corporations is that it eliminates differences in outlook (b). This concentrated control leads to a media that is not capable of being open and flexible enough to represent the full spectrum of society's values and needs. It also highlights the issue with media consolidation, where a small number of conglomerates exert control over the majority of media outlets, which can lead to a lack of diversity and reduce competition in the marketplace of ideas. Moreover, this oligopoly can mean that the information provided to the public is influenced more by profits and advertiser interests than by the need to inform the public accurately and fairly.