ACMJ Article

Abstract

This study examines the application and relevance of normative theories of the press across various political and cultural contexts. Using a qualitative comparative case study approach, it analyses media practices in countries including China, Russia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sweden, and the United States. Anchored on the four classical normative theories (Authoritarian, Libertarian, Soviet-Communist, and Social Responsibility), with consideration of Development and Democratic-Participant theories, the paper explores how national media systems align with or deviate from theoretical ideals. The findings reveal that while no country strictly adheres to a single theory, dominant tendencies exist, influenced by historical, political, and cultural factors. The study concludes that hybrid media systems are now the norm, challenging the applicability of rigid theoretical classifications and calling for a different, context-based understanding of press freedom and media regulation globally.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEDIA PRACTICES IN SELECT COUNTRIES THROUGH THE LENS OF NORMATIVE PRESS THEORIES, 2025, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 55-61. PDF