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Problems of Media Concentration |
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Media concentration can occur in a variety of ways and for different reasons. Companies can integrate horizontally and vertically or through product diversification and internationalization. Often media concentration is considered to have a detrimental effect upon democratic systems, which vitally depend on a diverse media system, that reflects the whole variety of ideas, viewpoints and opinions that exist in a society and represents a wide range of political and cultural societal groups.
A concentrated media market might not only have a disadvantageous impact upon pluralism and allow media owners a heightened influence on public opinion, but can also enable the large market players to close the market to new entrants, independent producers, or drive out weaker competitors. In this case the result may be a market monopoly or oligopoly, which besides being considered counter-competitive in the media market also produces social costs.
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