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Media Consolidation
For the most part, a very few corporations
control the information in most magazines, newspapers, television,
radio and on the Internet. Between 40 and 70 percent of that
information is generated from news releases and PR-material
from better-funded companies and organizations. In this climate, perhaps it won't surprise you that in the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, 25% of 18 – 35 year olds got their news from John Stewart’s “The Daily Show” and “Saturday Night Live”.
While we appreciate Jon Stewart's many talents,
he can't be expected to do all the heavy lifting. PNS
believes mainstream media today (with a few notable exceptions)
seems frenzied and not as thoughtful as it could be. Many
journalists find it difficult, if not impossible, to achieve
the quality of in-depth reporting to which they aspire. And
PNS believes the ultimate casualty is a spirited, informed
public debate about a wide variety of issues.
Further, since the Telecom Act of 1996 deregulated
the radio industry, an estimated 10,000 radio-related jobs
alone have been lost, and the Federal Communications Commission
is poised for even more deregulation of television and cable.
It is likely that the prohibition against owning television
stations as well as newspapers will be struck down, thus clearing
the way for mega-media players to control the major news outlets
in many markets. These trends - fewer employees, and greater
syndication of programming between fewer media conglomerates
- means a more "homogeneous" news product, with
less depth and fewer meaningful local or regional angles.
For the latest news on deregulation, visit www.reclaimthemedia.org
or www.mediareform.net.
Increased Concentration of Media Ownership
The approximate number of companies that
controlled more than half of all media:
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* (Disney, Viacom, AOL-Time Warner, GE, and News Corporation.(source: Ben Bagdikian and Eric Boehlert,
Salon) |
Changing Media Factoids:
- Estimated 10,000 radio-related jobs lost
since Telecom Act in 1996 ("It's the Media, Stupid"
by John Nichols and Robert W. McChesney).
- 1,100 fewer station owners in same time
period (Nichols, McChesney).
- Revenues in the PR business doubled since
1997, with greatest growth in health care and technology.
(Associated Press).
- Between 40 and 70 percent of today's
mainstream news is generated from press releases and PR-material.
("Taking the Risk out of Democracy" by Alex Carey).
- As part of a 20-year strategy, conservative
foundations gave $300 million between 1992 and 1994 to advocacy
organizations, media groups and think tanks such as the
Heritage Foundation, Cato Institute, and American Enterprise
Institute to promote two core values: faith in the free
market to solve any problem, and favoring the smallest possible
government. (Sally Covington, Moving a Public Policy Agenda:
The Strategic Philanthropy of Conservative Foundations).
- Topics loosely related to corporate power
make up only 4 percent of the discussion topics on top network
talk shows. Nearly totally excluded are newsmaker guests
from the ranks of labor, environmental, consumer, anti-corporate
globalization or other public interest groups. (See Website:
http://www.essentialaction.org/spotlight/report/index.html).
- In the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, 25% of 18 – 35 year olds got their news from John Stewart’s “The Daily Show” and “Saturday Night Live” (AC Nielson and Company).
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