British massmedia. Countrystudies

BRITISH MASSMEDIA

              Answer the questions.

1.  Why is press called the fourth power of a state?

2.  What are the advantages of the planetary press system?

3.  How does press influence people’s outlook?

4.  What are the most famous British newspapers?

5.  What is the difference between popular and serious papers?

6.  What Ukrainian papers can be called serious?

7.  What is your attitude to the advertisements in the newspapers?

8.  What is an independent newspaper?

9.  What street is considered to be the home of the British press?

10.  What is the name of the street derived from?

Television  and  Radio  Broadcasting  in  Britain  has  traditionally been based on the principle that it is a public service accountable to people.  While  retaining  the  essential  public  service  element,  it  now also embraces the principles of competition and choice:
•  the  BBC  (British  Broadcasting  Corporation),  which  broadcasts television and radio programmes;
•  the ITC (Independent Television Commission), which licenses and regulates commercial television services, including cable and sa­tellite services.
•  the Radio Authority, which licenses and regulates commercial ra­dio services, including cable and satellite. The three bodies work to  broad  requirements  and  objectives  defined  and  endorsed  by
Parliament, but are otherwise independent in their daily conduct of business.
Television  viewing  is  by  far  Britain’s  most  popular  leisure pastime: over 97 per cent of households have at least one TV set. British television productions are sold worldwide.

BBC Television

The BBC has a powerful television service. It owns two channels: BBC1 and  BBC2.  Practically  all  the  population  of  the  country  lives within the range of the TV transmission. With the exception of a break during  the  Second  World  War,  the  BBC  has  been  providing  regular
television broadcasts since 1936. All BBC2 programmes and the vast majority of those on BBC1 are broadcasted on the national network. The aim of the Government is that at least 25 per cent of programmes on all channels should be made by independent producers.
The  BBC  television  programmes  are  designed  for  people  of  dif­ferent interests. BBC1 presents more programmes of general interest, such  as  light  entertainment,  sport,  current  affairs,  children’s  pro­grammes, as well as news and information. BBC2 provides documenta­ries, travel programmes, serious drama, music, programmes on pas­times and international films.
    The BBC does not give publicity to any firm or company except when it is necessary to provide effective and informative programmes. It must not broadcast any commercial advertisement or any sponsored programme. Advertisements are broadcasted only on independent te­levision, but advertisers can have no influence on programme content or editorial work. Advertising is usually limited to seven minutes in any one hour of broadcasting time.
    Both the BBC broadcast education programmes for children and students in schools of all kinds, as well as pre­school children, and for adults  in  colleges  and  other  institutions  and  in  their  homes.  Broad­casts to schools cover most subjects of the curriculum, while education programmes for adults cover many fields of learning, vocational train­ing and recreation.
     The Government has no privileged access to radio or television, but government publicity to support non­political campaigns may be broadcasted on independent radio and television. Such broadcasts are paid for on a normal commercial basis. The BBC is not the mouthpiece of the government. All the major political parties have equal rights to give political broadcasts. Radio and, particularly, television have their greatest impact on public affairs at election time. Each of the principal political parties is granted time on the air roughly in proportion to the
number of its candidates for the Parliament.
    Television and radio coverage of political matters, including elec­tions, is required to be impartial.
    Television and the other channels of mass media are playing an increasingly important part in bringing contemporary affairs to the general public.

Answer the questions

1. What  public  bodies  are  responsible  for  television  and  radio  ser­vices throughout Britain?
2. How  long  has  the  BBC  been  providing  regular  television  broad­casts?
3. What  programmes  do  BBC1  and  BBC2  present  for  their  au­dience?
4.  Does the BBC broadcast advertisements?
5. Do political parties have any privileges in broadcasting?