THE LIBERTARIAN THEORY VERSUS THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY THEORY

THE LIBERTARIAN THEORY VERSUS THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY THEORY
As part of efforts to curtail the waning credibility of the press in America in the 1940’s, a Commission on Freedom of the Press was set up in 1947 to look into it. Headed by
Robert Hutchins, they met to discuss the phenomenon and after deliberation, the Commission reached two basic conclusions:
(a) The press has a responsibility to society; and (b) because the libertarian
press of the United States is not meeting this responsibility. They therefore proposed for the
need of a new press favoring a socially responsible press. A proposal that has been the subject of practical deliberation for over 40 years. In search for an alternative theory, the Four Theories of the Press .propagated by Siebert, Peterson, & Schramm, was referred to.
In the book, Four Theories of the Press, originally published in 1956, Siebert, Peterson and Schramm help give historical, philosophical and international perspective of the press. They did not hide their interest in the libertarian theory and the social responsibility theory which they claim as the background for today's free press particularly in the United States. However it is not only predominantly in the United State but in Ghana as well.
THE LIBERTARIAN THEORY
According to Siebert, Peterson and Schramm, this theory was adopted in England after 1688 and influential elsewhere in the world takes the philosophical view that man is rational and able to discern between truth and falsehood and, therefore, can choose between a better and worse alternative. Man is capable of determining his own destiny, and given all the facts will make the right choice.
In his book, Siebert explains the libertarian theory also known as free press theory. Seeks to give the media the liberty to publish whatever it likes. There is no explicit connection between the government and the media in the libertarian theory.
The theory advocates that the ownership of the media should be chiefly private. It also charges the media to inform, entertain, sell, as well as discover truth and check on government. Siebert goes on to say that in the libertarian system, attacks on the government's policies are fully accepted and even encouraged. Moreover, there should be no restrictions on import or export of media messages across the national frontiers. Simply, journalists and media professionals ought to have full autonomy within the media organization.
Though it is hard to find intact examples of libertarian media systems in today's world as many of the media systems in many countries has have tendencies of authoritarianism as well, The importance of this theory especially the freedom of the media can’t be overlooked as it’s history traces back to the 17th century's thinker John Milton, who asserted that human beings inevitably choose the best ideas and values. Again, rooted in this theory is the belief held by Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States, that if man exercised reason, the majority, as a group, would make sound decisions, even if individual citizens might not. Jefferson said, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them."
With the foundation of this theory pillared around objectivity, press freedom and individual right, some of the other assumptions include,
*Press should be free from external censorship.
*Publication and distribution should be accessible to any individual or group a permit or license.
*No attacks on governments or parties should be subjected to punishment.
*Freedom of access to information.
*No coercion to publish anything.
Ghana and the libertarian theory
The libertarian theory and some of it’s assumptions undoubtedly a recipe for democracy as it possesses notable features in the practice of democracy of the press and the mass media as whole. Especially their liberty. The media in Ghana as well as elsewhere plays key roles in the administration of the country and fair grounds of freedom;
*They educate the public.
*Protects minority interest.
*As fourth estate of the realm, ensures accountability on the part of the government.
*Keep the government on it’s toes through justified criticisms.
*Serves as a voice of the voiceless.
With Ghana as a kingpin in democracy, the assumptions of the libertarian theory is given a thump up by the fundamental laws of the country which is the “1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana”. As if the drafters of the constitution had passion for the assumptions of the theory made provisions in the constitution which indirectly vindicates the principles of the libertarian theory.
Article 162 (1) of the constitution guarantees the freedom and independence of the media.
Clause (2) of the same article also stresses on the liberty of the press as it states that “there shall be no impediment to the establishment of the private press or media……...” this is synonymous to Siebert’s claim that the media should be chiefly owned.
Summing it up is clause (4) which on government interference states that “editors and publishers of newspapers and institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by the government, nor shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views or content of their publication”
The social responsibility theory
Siebert, Peterson and Schramm notes that one’s right to free expression must be balanced against the private rights of others and against vital social interests."
An advocate of this theory believes that the press has a moral obligation to consider the overall needs of society when making journalistic decisions.
The press is to play an important role in the develop¬ment
and stability of modern society. The social responsibility theory brought forth by an American initiative in the late forties after realizing the inability of the press to reveal the truth. The Commission on Freedom of the Press provided a model in which the media had certain obligations to society. These obligations were expressed in the words "in formativeness, truth, accuracy, objectivity, and balance"
. .Siebert also writes that the goal of the social responsibility system is that media as a whole is pluralized, indicating "a reflection of the diversity of society as well as access to various points of view. The social responsibility principle is to provide an entrance to different mass media to minority groups. The journalist is accountable to his audience as well as to the government. An illustration of the theory puts the mass media and the government on the same level, signifying an interaction where both parts are allowed to criticize the other.
SRT IN GHANA
The Canons of Journalism, adopted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors addresses these same obligations when it calls on newspapers to practice responsibility to the general welfare, sincerity, truthfulness, impartiality, fair play, decency, and respect for the individual's privacy . A truthful, complete account of the news is not necessarily enough today, notes the Commission on the Freedom of the Press: "It is no longer enough to report the fact truthfully. It is now necessary to report the truth about the fact." Today's complex world often necessitates analysis, explanation, and interpretation. The Ghana Journalist Association in The GJA Codes of Ethics adopted by the National Council at Sunyani on July 27, 1994 on the responsibility of the press in article (20) states “in collecting and disseminating information, the journalist should bear in mind his/her responsibility to the public at large and the various interest in society.” Gone are days when the owners and managers of the press determine which persons, which facts, which versions of these facts, shall reach the public but now, in a bid to be responsible to the society on which the survival media depends on, most the press have taken to a practice whereby issues affecting the society have been prioritized ahead of all other issues. News and information which tends to see the well being of the society are given the due attention it deserves.
Siebert, Peterson and Schramm on the responsibility of the media warn: “...the power and near monopoly position of the media impose on them an obligation to be socially responsible, to see that all sides are fairly presented and that the public has enough information to decide; and that if the media do not take on themselves such responsibility it may be necessary for some other agency of the public to enforce it.”
In this same light, to guide the Ghanaian Journalist, article 1 (1 to2) of the Code of ethics gives it as a duty of the journalist to write and report the truth and report the truth bearing in mind his /her duty to serve the public.“The public have the right to unbiased, accurate and comprehensive information as well as express themselves through the media” The code also states.
An informed populace is the cornerstone of democracy. It is the press, therefore, that must be the "more alert element" and keep the public informed and this is what both theories preach.

Similarities
*Both theories work in the interest of the less privileged and the minority in the society.
*Accountability of the government to the society is something both theories believe in.
*Under the Libertarian theory likewise the SRT, the media can be chiefly owned by the private as well.
*The responsibility to keep the public informed and educated lies on the press.
*Both theories endorse the freedom of the press.
*They can both survive under a democratic system of government.
*Both theories seek to attain transparency in government.
CONTRAST
*The social responsibility theory is an outgrowth of the libertarian theory. However, social responsibility goes beyond "objective" reporting to "interpretive" reporting.
*Though both theories consider accountability, the libertarian theorist believes in been accountable to their owners whiles the SRT does not. As opposed to the libertarian theory, the social responsibility principle is to provide an entrance to different mass media to minority groups. The journalist is accountable to his audience as well as to the government.
*Though both theories have no room for government interference and control, the SRT at time have room for government control.
Under the social responsibility theory, man is viewed not so much irrational as lethargic. He is capable of using his reason but he is loath to do so.

CREDITS
Responsibility Theory: An
Ethical Perspective
By Scott Lloyd
Brigham Young University
Undergraduate Winner 1991
Carol Burnett/University of Hawaii
AEJMC Ethics Competition.

The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Government for SSS
By Isaac Kwesi Prah.

The Ghana Journalist Association Code of Ethics.
Works Cited
Altschull , J. Herbert. Agents of Power: The Role of the News Media in Human Affairs. New York: Longman, 1984.
Biagi , Shirley. Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media.