| Media Trends and PNS
Today six major corporations control the information in most media outlets. The trend is consolidation and cross-marketing – resulting not in more voices, but more of the same voices. Under these pressures, journalists are often overworked, underpaid and driven toward increasingly sensationalized content.
From our perspective, the ability of mainstream media to support a vibrant democracy is in jeopardy. Gaining access to the public airwaves is increasingly dependent on being able to relate to journalists in time-saving ways. Often this expertise comes with a hefty price tag, and those with fewer resources have a harder time being heard and taken seriously in the public arena.
In response, more independent and alternative media are being created, but most people still get their news from mainstream sources.
What we do …
To support democracy and promote public dialogue in a rapidly changing media
environment, Public News Service (PNS) is a member-supported news service
that advocates journalism in the public interest. PNS's network of
state-based news services distribute high quality public interest news and
information to both mainstream and alternative media on a daily basis.
Support comes from non-profit organizations, foundations, individuals and
businesses for social responsibility.
See a Map of News Services States.
Our stories examine the effects of policy on areas that receive too little coverage, lifting up often marginalized voices and making greater journalistic breadth available to broadcasters and publishers.
How we do…
On a day-to-day basis we link with hundreds of grassroots organizations who keep us informed on a cross-cutting range of social justice, environmental and economic issues. In 2006, our independent services produced 2,142 radio and 40 television news stories, which aired 164,979 times by 3,721 radio stations nationwide (and 9 TV stations in Idaho.)
Broadcasters across the map use Public News Service stories-from conservative news/talk to public, community, ethnic and religious outlets, as well as their online sites. In addition to our television model in Idaho, and a bi-lingual news service
in New Mexico, we recently collaborated on a successful Spanish radio pilot
project with the Mainstream Media Project in the Pacific Northwest. 2007 plans for expansion include Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvannia
and others.
Currently, we manage independent news services in the following states:
| California |
Nevada |
South Dakota |
| Colorado |
New Hampshire |
Tennessee |
| Idaho |
New Mexico |
Virginia |
| Iowa |
New York |
Washington |
| Massachusetts |
North Dakota |
West Virginia |
| Minnesota |
Ohio |
Wisconsin |
| Montana |
Oregon |
Wyoming |
While the issues vary, our state-based producers cover a broad range of social, community and environmental topics, including:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention |
Animal Welfare |
Arts & Culture |
Budget Policy & Priorities |
Campaign Finance Reform/Money in Politics |
Children's Issues |
Citizenship/Representative Democracy |
Civil Rights |
Community Issues |
Consumer Safety |
Criminal Justice |
| Cultural Resources |
Disabilities |
Domestic Violence |
Early Childhood Education |
Education |
Endangered Species & Wildlife |
Energy Policy |
Environment |
| Environmental Justice |
| Family/Father Issues |
GLBTQ Issues |
Global Warming/Air Quality |
| Gun Violence Prevention |
Health Issues |
HIV/AIDS Prevention |
Housing/Homelessness |
Human Rights/Racial Justice |
Hunger/Food/Nutrition |
Immigrant Issues |
International Relief |
Livable Wages/Working Families |
Mental Health |
Native American Issues |
Nuclear Waste |
Peace |
| Philanthropy |
Public Lands/Wilderness |
Rural/Farming |
Salmon Recovery |
Senior Issues |
| Sexual Assault |
Smoking Prevention |
Social Justice |
Sustainable Agriculture |
Teen Pregnancy Prevention |
Toxics |
Urban Planning/Transportation |
Waste Reduction/Recycling |
Water Quality |
Welfare Reform |
| Women's Issues |
Youth Issues |
|
