Media Regulation: Crash Course Government and Politics #45

Today we wrap up our discussion of the media by talking about how the government interacts with and influences the content we see. Now it may be easy to assume that because we live in a free-market capitalist society, the only real regulation of the media is determined by the consumers, but this isn’t necessarily true. The government controls a number of factors including the potential for lawsuits, spectrum licensing, FCC fines, and has even tried to pass a bit of legislation. So we’ll talk about how all of these factors influence the media and end with a discussion of a pretty hotly debated topic these days - net neutrality.

All attributed images are licensed under Creative Commons by Attribution 4.0

Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?

[kilroyfrills]

My favorite part is how unbiased they are.

[EugeneKhutoryansky]

The biggest restriction to free speech on TV is not the government, but industries who threaten to withdraw their advertisements from a channel if the channel airs points of view they find unfavorable.

[Julesong]

I’d really love to see a 2022 version of this video, in consideration of today’s political climate.

[sethconserva]

Dear, John Green

Thanks a million for Saving me in my finals. I binged watched your vids and it saved my grade in international studies.
From, Seth
Conserva

[Argacyan]

PBS is monopolizing on educational YT-channels

[kroganpopy]

So Reagan is to blame for Fox New's and MSNBC's obnoxious polarity?

[figarofog]

Thanks for explaining net neutrality. I always understood what it meant, but now I see why it's important.

[IsaacDavis]

Media companies are shooting themselves in the foot by merging and demolishing their diversity of perspective. The internet will always be a place where large media conglomerates and people in their bedrooms are presented on the same playing field, and the new and fresh perspective will always win.

[jenniferdearman]

I am a teacher who will be focusing on the Election process this school year, and your little quick flicks are an easy way to explain it. Thanks for making them.

[IMediaVsRealityI]

I need to watch these videos on 0.75 speed just to take it all in.

[kcw]

Random thought: Crash Course should make a series or even just a miniseries on Greek mythology and/or other ancient polytheistic beliefs. Anyone agree?

[PrincessTS]

my first job was news paper delivery on my mountain bike when i was a kid, awe those were the days... then they fired the whole staff and brought in guys with trucks to deliver all the papers instead of the kids :(

[survivalskillspodcast]

It is not that having access to information shall make us smart but hearing a lot of points of view is better than just hearing one.

[tucciproducer]

I sat through 6 grammarly ads while watching a playlist of your guys' videos.

[njmudaliar]

For those of you who support more regulation everywhere, from health care to free speech to fantasy football, let the internet be an example of how we don't need heavy government regulation for things work out. More regulation of the internet would have killed millions of jobs and shattered our quality of life. It was good that free marketeers prevailed over big government.

[akmalsy]

All news nowadays are basically journalism, they present opinions on facts rather than the facts themselves.

[sydniusalminia]

Thank you Crash Course for laying knowledge bombs on me. Your series are a hallmark of entertaining and responsible education!

[orionwinterfire]

I wish there was less discussion at all levels about making sure "opposing viewpoints" get equal time.

What's really needed is more emphasis on/attention to media broadcasting *objective truth*

[madamehussein]

Could we rename this series to say..."Crash Course 'US' Government and Politics"?

Current title kinda suggest it's generic, sorry for pricklyness ^^

[Josearnaldomanuel]

Every time I hear the acronym FCC the music from Family Guy about FCC always comes to my mind.