Question 1: Define the term 'media conglomerate' and explain its significance in the UK media industry.

Answer: A media conglomerate is a large company that owns numerous media outlets across different platforms, such as TV, radio, newspapers, and digital media. Its significance lies in its ability to influence market trends, control diverse content, and potentially limit competition.

Question 2: Identify two major media companies in the UK and describe the types of media they own.

Answer: BBC: Owns television channels, radio stations, and online content. News UK: Owns newspapers like The Sun and The Times, along with digital media platforms.

Question 3: Explain how ownership concentration can affect the diversity of media content.

Answer: Ownership concentration can lead to less diversity because a few companies controlling many outlets may produce similar content, limit alternative viewpoints, and reduce competition, which can influence the variety of media available to audiences.

Question 4: Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of media ownership being concentrated in a few large companies.

Answer: Advantage: Greater investment and resource sharing can lead to higher-quality productions. Disadvantage: It can reduce diversity of opinions and limit independent voices in the media.

Question 5: Describe the difference between public service broadcasters and commercial broadcasters in terms of ownership and objectives.

Answer: Public service broadcasters, like the BBC, are funded by the government or license fees and aim to serve the public interest with impartial content. Commercial broadcasters are privately owned and primarily focus on profit through advertising revenue, which can influence the type of content they produce.

Question 6: Draw a diagram showing the relationship between a parent company and its subsidiaries in the media industry. Label each part clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a large box labeled 'Parent Company' connected with lines to smaller boxes labeled 'Subsidiary 1', 'Subsidiary 2', etc., illustrating ownership links.

Question 7: Sketch a simple organizational chart for a media conglomerate that owns a TV channel, a newspaper, and an online platform. Include labels for each media type.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a central box labeled 'Media Conglomerate' with three branches leading to boxes labeled 'TV Channel', 'Newspaper', and 'Online Platform'.

Question 8: What impact might cross-ownership (owning multiple types of media) have on media diversity and consumer choice?

Answer: Cross-ownership can reduce media diversity because owners might prioritize certain content across platforms, leading to less variety and fewer independent voices, which can limit consumer choice.

Question 9: Explain why government regulation is important in the context of media ownership.

Answer: Government regulation helps prevent excessive concentration of ownership, promotes diversity of content and viewpoints, and ensures fair competition within the media industry.

Question 10: Sketch and label a diagram showing how media ownership can influence the type of content produced and distributed to the public.

Answer: A suitable diagram would include a central box labeled 'Ownership' connected by arrows to smaller boxes labeled 'Content Production' and 'Content Distribution', illustrating how ownership can influence both aspects.