Introduction:
The Libertarian theory is one of the “Normative theories of press”. The theory which is originally came from libertarian thoughts from 16th century in Europe. The libertarian theorists are against the authoritarian thoughts.
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International trade and urbanization undermine the power of a rural aristocracy which leads various social movements raise includes the Protestants reformation, that demands individual’s freedom and their own lives and free thoughts. Liberalism means information is knowledge and knowledge is power. Libertarianism is free from any authority or any control or censorship. The libertarianism is an idea of individualism and limited government which is not harmful to another.
Libertarian theory:
Libertarian theory sees people are more enough to find and judge good ideas from bad. The theory says people are rational and their rational thoughts lead them to find out what are good and bad. The press should not restrict anything even a negative content may give knowledge and can make better decision whilst worst situation. The libertarian thoughts are exactly against or opposite to the authoritarian theory which means the authoritarian theory says “all forms of communication works under the control of government or elite like king”.
Strength and Weakness:
- Freedom of press will give more freedom to media to reveal the real thing happening in the society without any censorship or any authority blockades.
- Is reliable with U.S media traditions.
- It gives more values for individuals to express their thoughts in media.
- Theory excessively positive about media’s willing to meet responsibilities which may leads people into negative aspects.
- Is too positive about individual ethics and rationality.
- Ignores need for reasonable control of media.
- Ignores dilemmas posed by conflicting freedoms.
Example:
Wiki leaks website published all sorts of confidential or restricted files in public space and especially classified documents. These articles are providing brief knowledge about the government and its activities which helps people to identify what is happening in the society and its gives great choices to elect a better president in future.
Sometimes these documents may work against the government and its authority that is why most of the country is not willing to allow libertarian thoughts because it may affect their power and kingdom.
too shallow
Libertartarian theory should be encouraged world wide,infact it’s a kind of democratic media theory.
i think the libertarian theory is great and should be encouraged as Wanan puts it and i think gov’t should also have a bit of control over the media especially when they impinge on the rights of others, that is publishing libelous reports or endangering national security.
please add more information
Libertarian theory to me has never been practiced any where around the World, it is practiced theortically but not practically am 100% sure.
The libertarian theory has never been practised in this world…even in the United States(the so called Champions of democracy)The Wikileaks proved to be something that no state (whether democratic or not) could handle or tolerate
Libertarian theory should be practised for both the sake of media and the society, however if its not, one the other will be affected negatively on their rights.
Muy inteligente el texto
libertarian theory should be encouraged all over the universe because it is the best so,nothing gives one joy the freedom to speak freely……. yes
the liberterian theory is no where but i wish it was considered so serious globally.
If this theory can be practice, journalism we be highly celebrated, but it can be practise because of our political leader
Libertarian theory of the press is practice in most countries but the journalist themselves who collect brown envelopes makes the system not to succeed fully
it is the best theory because it gives the media free operations
I think the libertarian theory is great and should be encouraged. However government should also have a bit of control over the media especially when they impinge on the right of others that is publishing libelous reports or endangering national security. Obiriki Tarelayefa Department of mass communication Caleb University Imota Lagos Nigeria
Theories are set of hypotheses.
On paper, the theory seems to be more appealing, however practically it is hard to be adopted by most of countries with fake democracy ideologies. Some times l even think my country Malawi would adopt this to denounce political propaganda. This theory can not fully succeed in our country since we have private ownership but government control.
a loose freedom may lead to the coversion of freedom to flames. te Arab spring is a good lesson. public affairs reporting and democracy are two steams that flows in the same channel that should and must not mix.
Libertarian theory remained so, and has never been practiced around the world. however, history will not forget it
libertarian theory makes alot of sense when u read it like i did and understand it..but the problem is that some countries and their leaders can never adopt that kind of setting coz now the leaders control everything the way thats seems pleasing to them….that is why one morning the ugandan president just wakes up and orders for the shut down of specific media outlets….and journalists are beaten up every now and then…i dnt know the way we are realy taking as journalists coz everything z just a mess up to me
Who are some good libertarian theorists, any recommendations for reading?
For me i don’t see the relevancy of this theory yes it good i agree but we should rethink as if the press is free and everyone is allow to express his or her view as they see fit that will be a disaster, it will called for great chaos and public scandal in societies. My fellow Libertarians if a country is imposing such a theory they have to regulate it or else people’s privacy will be tempered upon and that will led to distrust and many other disarray in countries. like for my country there was a video of a student who was scandalized by people nakedly shown on the video with a male both having sex and the girl is in her uniform, this happened on social media(whatsapp). the video was shared all over the country and the girl was rusticated from school. this happened cause social media as a forum don’t have limit and one can post as he or she pleases so if the whole media was at that time free then that vidoe will have been shown on television programmes. so my fellow libertarian let rethink our thought and see the consequences a country will face if this theory is practice. I REST MY CASE.
Can i get the explanations of the strength and weakness of libertarianism. I hope of getting the explanations soon. Still waiting for the answer.
The normative theory need to be practice in this new despensation, in that way the heineous and draconian of people in position of authorities will unveiled to apprent. If practice, it can also pave way for two way symmetrical communication between the governments and its citizens. to my best wishes is practicable.
Libertarian theory of the press need to be enforce in this new governmental despensation, as it will help to uncover their draconian and abysmal did. It can also pave way for the citizens to air their voice and establishes two way symmetrical communication between the governments and the citizens. This also gives d individual d right for speech and dissemination of information. To my best wishes is practicable.
This theory will pave way for citizens to speak up. its very deep
i think to operate on libertarian theory of the media all presidents must be journalists, may be???
I think this theory needs some amendments as complete liberty to journalists does not work in all kind of circumstances like in war or hostile siruation with neighboring or any other country. Journalism is a freelance profession so any news dissiminated at time could be the assertion of a jounalist and not neccessarily true. Many a times countries interest is put on stake. Private life is interfered and media ethics are crushed. So there must be penalties imposed in this kind of irresponsible journalistic reports and news through fine imposed after thorough sbifting of evidence in courts of law. Un restricted liberty in any field brings devestion ultimately
Libertarian theory is a fantasy which is yet to be accomplished. There is no free press in the word , it’s beyond our imagination!
I think libertairan theory of press is good but it is not applicable all over the world
Liberitarian theory should really be encouraged, it exists at times… I mean everyone loves there opinion be considered.
most of the countrys they are not precticen libertarian theory
I think libertarian theory is the best and should be practised since it allows citizens air out all there views
A blend of both the Authoritarian and Libertarian Theories is ideal in a bid to assess and regulate the information that comes into the public domain
Mine is a question.
Who actually devised the theory of Libertarian
What are the four key of libertarian press system
I believe people people are rational and their rational thought lead them to find out what are good and bad.But people are with emotions, emotions may lead to people to leave their nature of rationality, and may lead to biase. So this theory shall justify all the solution in relation with it.
Thank you so much for explaining this theory
Astonishing ! That Libertarian Theory is still not applicable in West?
i think libertarian theory is the best , since it implies democracy and considers human rights.
I will come back here with a degree.
If a country like Nigerian can adopt libertarian theory ,things will fall in places,but am very sure that it won’t be allowed, because it may work against the governmental authority,and it will limit their power.
Yes libertrian theory is good beacuse it make a wider door for people to discuss their problem and how can sove
it is a nice theory but it needs to be expounded more for a better explanation and again how can it be perfected.
In my honest opinion, it is difficult for us to practically achieve libertarian theory in terms of different media landscape across the world based on the fact that citizen journalism has become the order to the day and the process of gatekeeping can be far seen. I agreed on this exponential thought, but it is highly likely unjustifiable.
Pls which country practice libertarian
Theoretically a very impressive theory this is. I agree with this theory because as modern thinkers like Marx Freud and hegal have stressed that we must remain critical of the reality constructed by those in power.
Absolute freedom leads to wrong…
There should be some reasonable restrictions on press…
Otherwise some mafias can exploit media power for their aims..
There should be check and balance on media also…
So I think social responsibility theory is best…
Because freedom of expression is moral right, it’s not natural…
We should respect other’s freedom also
I think this is too much of freedom of press since there is lack of reasonable control in the media that is this media theory denies the reasonable control from the responsible commission in the government.
Therefore, this theory is not the good one since it is not the responsible theory of media.
Liberbatrian theory is transparency accountable and this should be encouraged in many countries.
I think the libertarian theory will give excess power which could be more dangerous because of selfish journalists who will only propagate issues of their self interest.
And the press will also invade the privacy of individuals