United States media under pressure…

In Australia we are lucky to have an independent and impartial news provider, even though it be funded by the public purse and thus a cost to every tax payer.

There are grave concerns for the media in the United States with many newspapers now on tough times. There is also a protest against partisan reporting and gossip related junk media masquerading as real news.

What is taught at journalism schools and what is put into practice can be two different things. The desire to rate and the profit motive is arguably outweighing the ethics of the business. Obviously people watch, buy and read this compromised material, otherwise it would not exist.

There is an argument for a strong and principled media, as it is considered vital to a healthy democracy. People are now becoming alarmed in the US and looking for ways to reverse the trend.

If in the future all Newspapers charge for their content on the internet, then readers may be looking elsewhere. Free-to-air television can fill some of the blanks, as possibly can new forms of internet news, if they have the sources and resources.

International and local news will still flow out of the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and other public funded outlets. These organisations also have bureaus in the United States. US net citizens could always look beyond their shores for world news, though in the worst scenario, local US press stories may be a problem.

Further reading…

Dan Rather Calls For Commission On Media Reform
Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called on President Barack Obama to form a White House commission to help save the press in an impassioned speech at the Aspen Institute.

Howard Kurtz: “Dan Rather Is Wrong”
Washington Post Staff Writer Howard Kurtz disagrees with Dan Rather

Saving Journalism: Howard Kurtz Is Wrong, Dan Rather Is Right
Josh SilverExecutive – Director of Free Press agrees with Dan Rather