Jour1111 Lecture 6

Week 6 Lecture; Commercial Media

Commercial media makes up the majority of Australian media, is much more popular and generates the largest income. By definition, commercial media is a profit driven industry mostly fueled by advertising revenue. Some examples of commercial media networks include FTA (free to air) channels such as: channel 9, 10, 7 and as well as pay TV networks such as Foxtel. The commercial media industry is also dominated by non-television based media such as News Limited who own newspaper publications such as: The Courier Mail, The Australian and Quest Newspapers.

Commercial Media is defined by a clear and succinct form and function, these being:

Form:

• Subscription 
• Sponsored 
• Subsidised

Function:

• Commercial 
• Propaganda
• Social 

Commercial media also plays an important role within democracy and has multiple social responsibilities in which it must uphold. As we know, media outlets are restricted to Government policies and regulations wherever they exist. Government agencies play an essential role in regulating content within commercial media and also assist with state press subsidies. In countries around the world such as Indonesia and East Timor, licensed journalism is enforced in order to maintain Government control and legislation over the content that journalists produce.