What is the primary responsibility of newspapers?

[sports fan]

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?

[gametime]

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

[Birdsfan]

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.

[ladiesbballcoach]

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

[Jim Schue]

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.

[cch5432]

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.

[Jim Schue]

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.

[cshs81]

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.

[The Scribe]

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.

[Habib]

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.

[Run To State]

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

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[mcpapa]

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

[The Scribe]

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.

[Mr.Network]

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.

[Habib]

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?