The Decline of the American News Media
The Prime Minister of India is in Washington DC today. At 12:05 EST he and President Obama gave a short speech about what the two leaders talked about and the conclusions from these talks. After the speeches both the leaders took one question each from the members of the media. The whole thing lasted just 25 minutes. The three major cable news channels (CNN, MSNBC and Fox News) carried the press conference live. The three major networks (CBS, NBC and ABC) did not cover the news conference at all. The event was also not covered in the websites of cable news channels or the network channels (there were some minor coverage of the State Dinner Obama is hosting later today and also one about what kind of dress Michelle Obama might wear for the dinner).
American media coverage can be disappointing for anyone with an international outlook. The media in this country covers news that the people want to hear and watch (this is a good strategy if you are selling toilet paper but a wrong one if you are in the news business). The news media has the responsibility to not only cover what people are interested in but also other news that affect the nation and the rest of the world. The American media has an additional responsibility in a sense that it represents the most powerful nation on earth. So how can the most powerful nation have some of the worst news programming in the developed world?
Only American citizens are permitted to own television stations in the United States. This is a strange law in a country that is known for its openness and business friendly policies. Laws like this and others make it difficult for news channels like BBC, Al Jazeera or France 24 to broadcast their programs in the United States (it is interesting to note that France 24 has the Obama/Singh press conference coverage as their lead story on their web page and not CNN). The point here is not quality but differences of opinion and the diversity of news programs (American television is capable of covering a story to the minutest detail once they feel that the public is ready for it. But unfortunately the coverage is limited to a few domestic stories every week and that is boring).
The news media in the United States also operates like a private business more so than many other countries. Almost all major television news channels are owned by giant corporations which is not a good idea (unfortunately countries like India have adopted a similar model). NBC and MSNBC are owned by General Electric, CBS is owned by Westinghouse, Disney owns ABC, Time Warner owns CNN, and News Corporation owns Fox Television. Giant corporations like these are driven by market share and share holder profits. These goals in many cases will conflict with what a news organization is supposed to do and that is to inform and educate.
The problem is further complicated by the fact that there are collaborations between the print, television, radio and online media. In many cases the ownership group is the same. Time Warner owns CNN, Time Magazine, AOL and Warner Brothers (these are the major holdings but includes numerous other print and television holdings). So when Warner Brothers releases a movie it is promoted by all entities of Time Warner including CNN and Time Magazine. Is this news or is it publicity? What you hear on radio is the same information you get from the print media and television. There is no diversity or competition between the various forms of media themselves.
This situation is very unlikely to change anytime soon. As in any developed nation change is very difficult in America. People for the most part are very happy with the media and the programming. But unfortunately the world around them is changing rapidly and for the most part I feel that an average American is unaware of these changes. Even in the early 90’s the only way I could really communicate with my parents in India was to send them letters periodically (it used to take about 15 days to reach India). A phone call was out of the question as it was very expensive (over $1.50 per minute). But the world has come a long way since then (these changes are dramatic if you live in Asia but happens in slow increments in America).
Americans can no longer depend on their print and television media to inform and educate. They should start getting information from online sources that offer a variety of information with different view points. Then you can make your own informed decisions.
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- WikiLeaks Kicks American Media’s Butt
- News Broadcasters Association of India Self Censorship
- World Cup Soccer: Real American Men Watch Football
- Is the American Dream Dead?
Category: News & Government