Liberal pluralism recognizes and accepts diversity in society, seeing groups as competing for influence rather than any one being dominant. Media organizations have autonomy from the state and political parties but are still subject to consumer wishes. Audiences can select from a range of views. Pluralists believe the media can act as part of democracy by informing the public for elections through news coverage, defending lack of regulation due to their role in checking power. The government can intervene to prevent monopolies and fund public media to avoid profit-motives influencing content. Representation of all groups is important to pluralism or some may feel excluded from society.

1. Liberal Pluralism

2. Liberal Pluralism
 Pluralism recognises and accepts the diversity of
society (religion, race, gender, beliefs etc)
 Pluralists see society as a complex of competing
interests and groups, with no one interest or group
dominant all of the time.
 Media organisations hold some autonomy from the
state, political parties and pressure groups. The
media is subject to the wishes of its consumers.
 Audiences therefore select and reject from a range of
views, opinions and ideologies.

3. Liberal Pluralism and democracy
 The media can act as a part of democracy –
news coverage.
 They therefore defend the lack of press regulation
because of their role of checking on politicians
and institutions
 (eg. Washington Post and Watergate in the 70s
or MPs Expenses and the Telegraph in
2010)
 They ensure the public are informed to vote in
their democratic elections.

4. Liberal Pluralism and the government
 The government can intervene in the
media in 2 ways:
Prevent powerful companies from
wiping out the opposition (Competition
Commission)
Invest in public sector corporations
(eg. BBC) to ensure they are not
driven by profit making.

5. Liberal Pluralism and representation
 Belief in recognition of all groups of society.
 However there is a concern that if not properly
represented, groups are not considered a part of
society (or that which people see constructed
before them).
 Under-representation can lead to
fear/alienation/discrimination.