The Daily Think

“If it bleeds it leads” were the words from the news director played by Rene Russo in the 2014 film Nightcrawler. The film tackled the subject of a “nightcrawler” who provides video of graphic news stories to the television news stations for a profit. The films these “nightcrawlers” find usually had to deal with blood, accidents, fire, death and fear. In a particular scene in which the character played by Jake Gyllenhaal is walking through an active crime scene, the on-air producer played by Russo is guiding the news anchors what to say to induce fear, dread, anxiety, but most importantly interest. Urban crime in a wealthy white neighborhood is creeping up to get you.

The recent topic of media bias is a complex and controversial one, with many different factors influencing the way news organizations report and present information. Fox News recently has been called out for pushing election denier news in order to boost ratings. CNN pushed Donald Trump’s campaign back in 2015 for ratings as well. So why is the recent story about Fox News election denier coverage so important? We need to examine the factors that lead to this.

One such factor is funding – who provides the financial support for these organizations, and how does that affect the content they produce? Another important consideration is advertising – how much advertising do these organizations display, and does that influence their coverage of certain issues or events?

Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that news and media organizations are often corporations, which means they are businesses that exist to make a profit. This means that they need to attract viewers or readers in order to generate revenue, and one way to do this is through advertising. The more advertisements they show, the more money they can make. However, this can create a conflict of interest when it comes to reporting the news. If a media organization is heavily reliant on advertising revenue, they may be hesitant to run stories or segments that are critical of the companies or industries that are buying those advertisements. This can lead to a situation where important stories are overlooked or under-reported, simply because they might hurt the bottom line.

Secondly, the issue of funding is also a concern when it comes to media bias. In some cases, news organizations are funded by political parties or special interest groups that have a vested interest in shaping the way certain issues are reported. For example, a news organization that receives funding from a pro-gun group might be more likely to report favorably on the benefits of gun ownership, while downplaying the negative aspects of gun violence. Similarly, a news organization that receives funding from an environmental advocacy group might be more likely to report on the dangers of climate change and the need for urgent action.

The influence of funding and advertising on news and media organizations is not a new phenomenon. In fact, it has been a concern for many years. However, the rise of social media and the internet has made it easier for people to access news from a variety of sources, which has led to a proliferation of news organizations that cater to specific audiences. This has allowed many people to find news sources that align with their political or social views, but it has also led to an increase in the amount of misinformation and fake news that is spread online.

There is no easy solution to the problem of media bias. It is unlikely that news organizations will ever be completely free from the influence of funding and advertising, since they need to generate revenue in order to stay in business. However, there are some steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of these factors. One such step is for news organizations to be transparent about their funding sources, so that viewers and readers can make informed decisions about the reliability of the information being presented. Another step is for media organizations to prioritize quality journalism over profit margins, and to ensure that they are reporting on issues that are important to their audience, rather than simply catering to their advertisers.

Media bias is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of factors, including funding and advertising. While there is no easy solution to this problem, it is important for news organizations to be transparent about their sources of funding, and to prioritize quality journalism over profit margins. By doing so, they can help to ensure that the information they present is reliable, accurate, and unbiased, which is essential for maintaining a healthy and informed democracy.

This is what the entire news staff at thinknewsnow is trying to avoid. The paid for bias that drives ratings and clicks. Sure we may write articles that attempt to get likes and views, but it’s not what ultimately drives us. Perhaps the answer isn’t regulation of the fourth estate, but visible motivation and public awareness of who funds, sponsors and campaigns on behalf of our news corporations. We all know the names, but do we truly know their games?