SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORY (SRT) AND THE LIBERTARIAN THEORY.

Libertarian theory takes the philosophical view that man is rational and able to discern between truth and falsehood and, therefore, can choose between a better and worse alternative. Man is capable of determining his own destiny, and given all the facts will make the right choice. This is where the media is allowed to operate freely due to democracy, freedom to express opinions etc.

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech so that the press can remain fully free, and the public can be fully informed. This freedom may sometimes be hindered by corporate pressures and government control. In countries without freedom of the press, messages are filtered through the government, allowing only what is considered acceptable information to be released to the public.

To combat the pressures that threatened freedom of the press, this theory was first introduced in 1947 and was recommended by the Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press. It stated that the media should serve the public, and in order to do so, should remain free of government interference. It defined guidelines that the media should follow in order to fulfill its obligation of serving the public.

There are certain similarities among the social responsibility and the liberitarian theory and these are

• There is private ownership in both libertarian and the SRT theories. In these theories, the media is owned by private individuals without government influence or interference.

• Objectivity: Both libertarian and SRT theories, because of their independence from the government seeks to give out facts as they are (objective truth). This is because of the media or press role as watchdogs to government policies. Also it is the mandatory for the media under social responsibility theory to deliver the right information to it’s publics.

• Under both the libertarian and SRT theories, the press is seen as a source of information and a platform for expressing divergent opinions by the public. This enables the people to monitor government and form ideas about policies.

DIFFERENCES.

• Fairness: SRT is under obligation to to create a forum for divergent viewpoints and opinions. In other words the media gives attention to all ethnic groups, tribes without discrimination. Whilst under the libertarian theory the press is not obliged to do so. It can favor some cultures and be bias to others under the libertarian theory.

• Ethics: Under libertarian theory, because of sensationalism there is lack of ethics of the profession whilst in SRT the media operates on code of conducts: code of ethics.

• Professionalism: SRT operates on professionalism. Training and continuing development of professionals to advance and nature balanced and impartial news presentation. Libertarian theory does not place emphasis on professionalism due to sensationalism leading to yellow journalism practices.

• Accountability: Under SRT the media is charged to deliver on ethics, professionalism, and objectivity hence the public holds them accountable for information given out. But this does not apply to the media under libertarian theory.

• Transparency: SRT as part of its social responsibility is transparent in its operations to the public but this does not apply to the libertarian theory. The libertarian theory is not obliged to be open to the general public in terms of it's operations.
  

GIJ HOLDS ALUMNI NIGHT

Despite the downpours last Friday, the venue was heated up as many people thronged to GIJ’s campus to witness the alumni home-coming night.

The programme was organized as part of the institute’s 50th anniversary celebrations. It was directed at bringing all past and present students of the school together. The programme was graced by familiar faces in the media industry and these included distinguished journalists in the country.

The programme which was delayed due to the rains did not stop people from crowding the institute’s forecourt. The programme was officially started at 6:10pm instead of the hyped 5:00pm. MC for the night, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), a renowned broadcaster and a continuing student was at his best as he steered the affairs of the show.

The night witnessed a splendid performance from Obour, who performed most of his hit tracks which included his recent single “the game” featuring Okyeame Kwame. In spite Of the energetic performance of Obour and co, the night was stolen by spectacular performances from ace highlife musicians Gyedu Blay Ambulley and Mac Tonto. They thrilled audience to non-stop live band hilife tunes which was the style of the night.

The night also saw G-2, a group on campus perform

K.K.D- THE FINEST ADVICES EDDIE

K.K.D- The finest advices Eddie
Kwasi Kyei Darkwa a.k.a. K.K.D a renowned journalist and a media practitioner has personally advised Edward to take his journalism career serious.
K.K.D was speaking to him after an inter-faculty lecture held on G.I.J campus last week. The veteran broadcaster said 'you are good but i expect more from you'.
story: Michael Oti Nyantakyi.
Publisher, blaqueorigin gh ltd.

EDDIE TO STORM GIJ TV

EDDIE TO STORM GIJ TV with the environment & you!
Edward, a concept developer is currently working on a new project yet to be aired on GIJ tv. Environment & you is an hour magazine programme which would unveil environmental problems and seek concrete solutions from experts on their respective fields. This programme is a blaque-origin Gh conceptualization in collaboration with GIJ tv.
Details of this programme yet to be post on this site. - Watch out!

EDDIE REVEALS AN ADMIRATION...........

EDDIE REVEALS AN ADMIRATION!
It is undoubtedly clear that Kwame Sefa-Kai is the King of morning shows and also dominate the radio airwaves in Ghana. It is obvious that Kwame has over the years developed into a force to rekkon within the media landscape. Edward is multivated by him and looks up to him as his mentor. "I want to be like him and become even better", eddie told www.blaquesoil.blogspot.com