In modern America, the freedom of press is under attack and affronted at every turn. There are monopolies on influence that dictate what information we are allowed to read, misinformation is present on every platform and network, the modern news cycle ruins the credibility of reporters and their outlets, and the ever changing technology landscape in America changes what journalism looks like routinely.
Monopolies on influence
A complicated web of conglomerates, holding companies, parent companies, and subsidiaries, the ownership of popular media in America is a truly hidden crisis, as a few wealthy and relatively unknown magnates possess a chokehold on information and communication in America. This web is far too complicated for one not well versed in the jargon, and masks the problem, as it allows the few to make decisions on what information is available for the masses. Why should we allow the few to decide what information we are allowed to read? Where is the solution?
The solution lies in alternative media and independent journalism, from skilled and brave local and national journalists who dive into a story. The death of local papers has led to the rise of the national conglomerates, and by turning the power back to independent local papers and journalists, the paradigm of news power will shift back to the people. Tools like X, Substack along with support for local and alternative outlets and networks are the way to remove the influence that these informational oligarchs.
Rise of Misinformation
Modern media coverage has become far more profit-driven than ever, choosing numbers over knowledge. Countless news organizations are taking advantage of the common people, polarizing the population by promoting preexisting beliefs that reinforce stereotypes and encourage closed-mindedness. Fox News and MSNBC have been accused of this and have faced criticism, though they continue to drive a wedge in the political landscape. Even the language in their titles shows bias, as Fox would much rather use the term “Abortion Law” over “Abortion Rights” to support their ideological standpoint. Other outlets do the same thing, like when CBS used misleading editing of interview clips to alter an interview with Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes. This is a fire that both sides of the spectrum add fuel to, contributing to the steady rise of sensationalism in media. These practices puts profit and attention over facts and accuracy, one of the reasons why it is considered exploitative journalism.
These media outlets do not draw attention from these tactics of using these political and biased terms to spread misinformation because it garners a reaction from their audiences. In order to push back against media misinformation, it is necessary to fact-check with multiple sources of different perspectives on the same event to gain a better understanding on controversial topics. A greater emphasis needs to be put on non-bias fact checking this emphasis would cure this major problem present in the modern news industry.
News Cycles Failures
The modern changes in technology have changed where people get their information from. When searching something on Google, it often responds with an AI generated overview which is not a credible source. Advancements in technology have changed where people are getting their information. When people get into their cars their phone will automatically turn on bluetooth for music. When people turn on their TV they switch directly to a streaming service. By doing this people are excluding credible news sources from their life. Within our world of digital media and limited attention span, much of the news that is covered is only focused on in a limited aspect. Many of the stories that we hear about are told and blown up, turned into discussion online and dramaticized. Yet, even with all of the focus on topics that are covered by almost every news form, it seems that our limited attention span is taken advantage of when news sources decide they want to focus on something else and it feels as if there is no further followup on stories unless more details are added immediately. With stories such as Luigi Mangione, fires in California, and the effects of ICE that are being felt around the country. All of these have one thing in common: they discuss the struggles of minority or lower class citizens. The limited coverage of this, with the fact that most news organizations are monopolized by larger corporations is frightening.
Many American citizens have additionally turned to social media’s reporting and the online communities for news and information, but there is so much misinformation going around, and when it is partnered with the limited attention span that the internet has fostered in our society, people no longer contain the initiative to seek out more information and background after reading the headlines and taglines, which are often attention-seeking, fear mongering, and misleading. It feels as if social media and news outlets nowadays take advantage of this, not presenting all details necessary for the full picture, and then failing to follow up on the outcome of such events.
Changes in Coverage
On May 1st, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cut government funding for public broadcasting services such as PBS (Public broadcasting Service) and NPR (National Public Radio). These are networks that American families have been relying on since their birth in the early 1970’s. Coverage is changing every network and outlet is changing their coverage means, these changes are victimizing local and independent journalists. As the journalism industry changes with an ever-evolving digital world there have been many growing pains, unfortunately local news coverage seems to be on the brunt end of the stick. According to Pew Research Center 41% of Americans in 2024 believe that local news outlets are somewhat important to their communities’ well being. Yet, within that year only 15% of people were willing to pay to access local news. It would be wonderful if everyone could see journalists’ work and stories for free, unfortunately that is not sustainable to the news room. Journalists cover a wide variety of stories, from your top athletes to the next bill that may impact your life, but to keep covering all these stories they have to have staff. Which is where the problem lies, as papers struggle to sustain themselves they have to cut stuff, therefore either covering less, or spreading the staffers they keep very thin.
Anytime there are big changes in an industry there are going to be hurdles to jump over. As people get their news from social media journalists are going to have to learn how to tell stories in that format. Local outlets may have to partner with some citizen journalists to cover their community, and they might be able to educate them on journalistic practices. The demand for news has not stopped but the industry is having to relearn how to supply it. The need for public funding for public corporations that support not only the historic programs that American citizens have grown up on, but also the education of the next generation of American citizens.