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.

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 on any platform.

How We Do It

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. Currently, tens of thousands of media outlets receive our content and more than 8,000 nationally are regularly using our stories, reaching a combined national weekly audience of over 30 million.

Media outlets across the map use Public News Service stories-from conservative news/talk to public, community, ethnic and religious outlets, on air, in print and on their online sites. Our television stories in Idaho are used consistently across the state. Spanish production is expanding across the country and our collaboration with Mainstream Media Project has excellent results. Scores of additional Spanish talk show interviews on related issues are booked across the country. Development plans for expansion include the remaining states, Canada and Mexico! In addition, we'll be producing complete news segments for other networks.

Currently, we manage independent news services in 36 states.

While the issues vary, our state-based producers cover a broad range of social, community and environmental topics. Download a list of our issues.