Question 1: Define media ownership in the context of the media industry. Why is ownership important for media companies?

Answer: Media ownership refers to the control or possession of media companies or outlets by individuals, corporations, or conglomerates. It is important because ownership influences the content produced, the diversity of perspectives, and the potential for monopolies or media concentration.

Question 2: List three different types of media ownership structures found in the UK media industry.

Answer: Public ownership (e.g., BBC), private ownership (e.g., ITV), and conglomerate ownership (e.g., News Corp).

Question 3: Explain how ownership by a large conglomerate can influence the content produced by a media outlet.

Answer: Ownership by a large conglomerate can lead to homogenisation of content, prioritising certain political or commercial interests, reducing diversity of viewpoints, and potentially leading to bias or censorship to protect corporate interests.

Question 4: Describe the concept of media concentration and discuss one potential advantage and one disadvantage of it.

Answer: Media concentration occurs when a small number of companies own a large share of media outlets, reducing diversity of ownership. An advantage is increased efficiency and investment; a disadvantage is reduced diversity of content and potential for monopolistic control.

Question 5: Identify and explain two reasons why media ownership is a significant issue for consumers.

Answer: Ownership affects the variety and impartiality of content, potentially limiting the range of opinions and ideas available. It can also influence which stories are prioritised, shaping public perception and understanding.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram to show how a media conglomerate might own multiple types of media outlets (e.g., TV, newspaper, online platforms). Label each part clearly.

Answer: A central circle labeled 'Media Conglomerate' with arrows pointing to separate boxes labeled 'TV Channel', 'Newspaper', and 'Online Platform'. The diagram shows ownership links from the main company to various media types.

Question 7: Discuss one example of a UK media company that is owned by a larger corporation and explain how this ownership might impact its media content.

Answer: An example is Channel 4, which is publicly owned but operated by a government-owned company. Its ownership structure allows for some independence, but government influence might impact its programming and editorial choices.

Question 8: Explain what is meant by 'cross-media ownership' and give an example of how this might occur within the UK media industry.

Answer: Cross-media ownership refers to a single company owning multiple types of media outlets, such as TV, radio, and online platforms. An example is a company owning both a newspaper and a TV channel that broadcasts similar content or shares resources.

Question 9: Sketch a diagram illustrating the relationship between a parent media company and its subsidiaries. Include labels for clarity.

Answer: A large rectangle labeled 'Parent Company' with lines or arrows pointing to smaller rectangles labeled 'Subsidiary 1', 'Subsidiary 2', etc. The diagram shows ownership and control relationships.

Question 10: Evaluate the impact of media ownership concentration on media diversity and democracy.

Answer: Concentration of media ownership can reduce diversity of viewpoints, leading to a less informed public and potential bias in reporting. It may also limit democratic debate by controlling the flow of information, but can also bring efficiency and investment into media production.