SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEORY AND THE LIBERTARIAN THEORY.

It is obvious to note that the libertarian theory vastly differs from the social responsibility theory,yet there are certain vital similarities that encompass both theories.The idea of progress,democracy and the modern trend of living outlines the rise of the libertarian theory where the media is given some sort of freedom to operates without state restriction.The social responsibility theory spells out freedom but it is much concerned with the duty of shaping to be better.In fact to state categorically the smilarities between the two theories, it can be seen from a perspective that the following exist in both theories.
a)Freedom is prevalent in both theories without any restriction from the state.
b)Furthermore,they both define the same major functions of the media which are transmission of information and the adoption of a forum for disparate views.
c)Both theories also provide an avenue for the establishment of private media due to capitalism.Since both theories operate in the capitalist system,many private media houses are being established.
d)Also in both theories,the media serves as a watchdog and supervises the society from certain abuses.
e)The notion of free press and democracy in the libertarian and social responsibility theories is falsehood since the media is faced with prosecution.
However,amidst the similarities,there are certain differences between the two theories.
i)In as much as the social responsibility theory is expected to be accountable to the society in its performance, the libertarian theory flouts accountability.
ii)Also there is self-censorship in the social responsibility theory.Prior to this,the social responsibility theory is suppressed in the performance of its functions not to abuse the society.Unlike the libertarian theory,there is no such thing as self-censorship,so the media can feed the society with abusive things without any suppression or restriction internally.
iii)Additionally,even though in both theories, there is objectivity,the social responsibility theory is subjective to the media in the interest of the state or state authority.
iv)Last but least, under the social responsibility theory,there is thorough regulation.It is hard to notice that the libertarian theory is taken through such regulation.
v)Finally,the social responsibility is also concerned with the code of ethics governing the various media houses.In contrast,the libertarian theory doesn't respect such code of ethics.