So much was made of the X & T article the other day I thought I'd give this thread a shot. What is the primary role of a newspaper or TV news program? Is it to be accurate and unbiased or is their first responsibility to sell papers/ads?

I believe 50 years ago this question would not be an issue. Journalism was all about accuracy and integrity. I think the pendulum has shifted, but how much?

As with almost everything in life these days, it's all about the bottom line...

It should be about accuracy and ethics; but you have to play to your audience.

 

I think these ideals are a consideration for most news outlets...just not the only considerations.

If it is all about accuracy and ethics and that doesn't sell, than you are out of business.

As with almost everything in life these days, it's all about the bottom line...

 

… which, unfortunately, sometimes forces otherwise ethical and accurate people to have to suppress those good traits so that some bean-counter in an office far away makes their quarterly bonus.

I believe 50 years ago this question would not be an issue. Journalism was all about accuracy and integrity. I think the pendulum has shifted, but how much?

 

Of course I wasn't around 50 years ago but I would say that it was never ALL about accuracy and integrity. The bottom line has always been the major concern.

Of course I wasn't around 50 years ago but I would say that it was never ALL about accuracy and integrity. The bottom line has always been the major concern.

 

Not to the degree it is today. Main reason: Newspapers then were mostly family-owned as opposed to the corporate conglomerations that run the newspaper world nowadays. Those families lived in and felt a responsibility to the communities where there newspapers were based. Absentee ownership is, IMO, the biggest reason for the decline in quality of newspapers and a lowering of newspapers' credibility in the public eye.

 

I can't speak to TV and radio as much, but I know many of the same problems have killed the quality of those mediums.

Not to the degree it is today. Main reason: Newspapers then were mostly family-owned as opposed to the corporate conglomerations that run the newspaper world nowadays. Those families lived in and felt a responsibility to the communities where there newspapers were based. Absentee ownership is, IMO, the biggest reason for the decline in quality of newspapers and a lowering of newspapers' credibility in the public eye.

 

I can't speak to TV and radio as much, but I know many of the same problems have killed the quality of those mediums.

 

It was much easier to make a profit back then. In many cases, it was the primary source of news for folks.

 

Competition from many sources has causes traditional news to lean towards entertainment because we as a society demand it.

Seeing as how the size of most newspapers is dictated by the amount of ads sold and not the amount of news stories written, I will venture to say it's about the bottom line.

Seeing as how the size of most newspapers is dictated by the amount of ads sold and not the amount of news stories written, I will venture to say it's about the bottom line.

 

I agree, but if its subscribers cared more about truth and accuracy than fanaticism and trivial Hollwood-esque waste we wouldn't be having this debate.

As with almost everything in life these days, it's all about the bottom line...

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Are we talking newspapers with huge circulation, or local papers? Does that make a difference?

I agree, but if its subscribers cared more about truth and accuracy than fanaticism and trivial Hollwood-esque waste we wouldn't be having this debate.

It has nothing to do with subscribers. It has to do with the advertisers.

Like any other business, the responsibility is to make a profit. That core requirement is important for the owner, employee and the reader who depends on the newspaper.

It has nothing to do with subscribers. It has to do with the advertisers.

 

If readers are turned off by a newspaper, who exactly are advertisers advertising to?