2. What is it ?
• It is a part of the four theory.
• “Related to the authoritarian theory but its main difference is that under the Soviet-
Communist system, the state owns or in some way controls all forms of mass media
directly.”
• The authority of all mass communications is in the hands of a small group of party
leaders. The part in which the media plays in the Soviet Communist Theory is that the
media was responsible for bringing to surface the concerns of the working class people
of the society.
• “Mass media play down negatives under communism while playing up negatives in
democratic countries such as China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam.”
• Although closely related to the authoritarian theory, Soviet-Communist theory stands own
it’s because it’s the positive outlook.
3. So…
what do you think of
THE SOVIET
COMMUNIST THEORY?
OR
what do you think of
SOVIET?
4. Background
• Marxist tradition has displayed authoritarianism, fixedness, a tendency to
make hard and sharp distinction between right and wrong, an amazing
confidence in explaining great areas of human behavior on the basis of a
small set of economic facts.
• The dialectic of social change: Marx argued that the material conditions of
life determine man’s ideas. In other words, economics is the central factor of
the life of man.
• The goal: a classless, stateless society Rather, the
Communist press would be
conceived as an instrument to interpret
the doctrine, to carry out the policies of the
working class or the militant party.
Again, it is clear from what Marx wrote about
materialistic determinism that he felt the control
of the press would rest with those who owned
the facilities——the presses, the paper,
the broadcasting stations.
5. The Development through Lenin and Stalin
• The media should be used as instruments:
1. be controlled by the state through control of the material facilities
of communication.
2. convey the “word” as interpreted by the Kremlin.
3. of social change and social control.
4. of serious purpose.
“The newspaper
should be a “collective
propagandist, collective agitator…
collective organizer”.
6. FOREGROUND:
Mass communications in the Soviet state
• From the Soviet point of view, absolute
freedom is impossible.
• From the Soviet point of view, what is
worth while is freedom to say what they
conceive to be truth.
• Therefore, in the Soviet Union no freedom
against the state can be permitted.
• By owning the facilities, the Soviet
guarantees access, and eliminates
concealed class controls.
• Freedom and responsibility are
inseparably linked in Soviet theory.
Mass communications are used as an instrument
of the state and the Party; as responsible
instruments: responsibility and freedom.
8. The system grows out of the theory
• The printed media: Soviet newspaper are a specialized press. Soviet press is a
planned press.
• Broadcasting: Soviet broadcasting will talk to its audiences. The Party controls all
broadcasting 1. by inserting its own reliable members in all key appointments. 2. by
issuing a large number of directives and instructions. 3. by constant review and criticism.
• Film: the basic assignment to the film was the same as that of press and broadcast——
to serve as propagandist, agitator, organizer.
.
Q:
What shall we say of the relation of the Soviet concept
and system to our own?
9. Now…
Can the Russia
media be trusted?
How about China?
North Korea?
Cuba?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AdkT2QrJ8M
