In "Mass Media: For the Many, by the Few," Michael Parenti argues that despite claims by mainstream media of being "free and independent, objective and neutral...the 'watchdogs of democracy'", today's media "behave more like the lapdogs of plutocracy" (163). As Parenti explains: "Only six giant conglomerates-Time, Warner, General Electric, Viacom, Bertelsmann, Walt Disney, and News Corporation-own most of the print publications, movie studios, record labels, and radio and television programming in the U.S." (163). This is down from twenty-three owners in 1989, due to the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, abolishing an anti-trust rule that limited the number of radio and television stations a corporation could own in one market or area. Increasingly condensed ownership of mass media has led to increasing bias, control and what amounts to censorship by media bosses in American society. The left has become unable to compete in the mass media with right wing ownership of a significant majority of the nation's press. This analysis will explore Parenti's contentions about modern mass media, including an exploration of the methods through which corporate ownership controls, manipulates and censors media. A conclusion will address recommendations Parenti feels are required to change this situation.
The condensed corporate ownership of U.S. mainstream media has led to an unprecedented manipulation, control and censorship of content in American culture. This control has led to a pervasive right wing bias as corporate control pursues its own agenda through what it permits or denies media access. According to Parenti, this powerful group of corporations results in news organizations and media outlets that favor management over labor, the wealthy over the poor, private enterprise over social welfare, and militarism over disarmament. After the antitrust restrictions on ownership were struck down, "Most of the n...