How Place and Power Distort American Journalism

News for the Rich, White, and Blue: How Place and Power Distort American Journalism

by Nikki Usher

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8706 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	367 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

American journalism is facing a crisis of credibility. Trust in the media is at an all-time low, and the public is increasingly polarized. This crisis is due in part to the changing nature of the media landscape, but it is also due to the ways in which place and power distort journalistic practice.

The Changing Media Landscape

The media landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. The rise of the internet and social media has led to a decline in traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and television news. This has made it more difficult for journalists to reach a large audience, and it has also made it easier for them to be influenced by special interests.

In addition, the rise of partisan media has led to a more polarized public. People are increasingly likely to get their news from sources that confirm their existing beliefs, and they are less likely to be exposed to dissenting viewpoints.

The Role of Place

The place where a journalist lives and works can have a significant impact on their reporting. Journalists who live in urban areas are more likely to be exposed to a diverse range of viewpoints, while journalists who live in rural areas are more likely to be influenced by local power structures.

For example, a journalist who lives in a city with a large immigrant population is more likely to be sympathetic to the experiences of immigrants, while a journalist who lives in a rural area with a declining population is more likely to be sympathetic to the concerns of white working-class voters.

The Role of Power

The powerful have always had a disproportionate influence on the media. This is because the powerful have the resources to control the flow of information, and they have the ability to reward or punish journalists who do not toe the line.

For example, a politician who is unhappy with a journalist's coverage may threaten to withhold access to information, or they may even file a lawsuit. This can make it difficult for journalists to do their jobs, and it can lead them to self-censor.

The Impact on Journalism

The ways in which place and power distort journalistic practice have a significant impact on the quality of journalism. When journalists are influenced by their location or by powerful interests, they are less likely to produce objective and unbiased reporting.

This can lead to a decline in the public's trust in the media, and it can make it more difficult for people to make informed decisions about important issues.

The crisis of credibility in American journalism is a serious problem. It is due in part to the changing nature of the media landscape, but it is also due to the ways in which place and power distort journalistic practice.

If we want to restore trust in the media, we need to address these issues. We need to find ways to support independent journalism, and we need to ensure that journalists are free from the influence of special interests.

News for the Rich, White, and Blue: How Place and Power Distort American Journalism

by Nikki Usher

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8706 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	367 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE