2004 News Media Industry

Utter the news media to anyone and chances are you will be offered an instant judgment of the institution: Fair and balanced defenders of democracy biased liberals watch dogs attack dogs, and let's not forget former U.S. Vice President Spiro T. Agnew's depiction, nattering nabobs of negativity. The fervid competition among various established news media outlets, coupled with the virtual explosion of internet news publishing sources ensure there will be no lack of available information. What might lay victim of the mass media scramble for rating points, access, and speed could be accuracy and impartiality. The news media provides a virtual town hall critical to informing and educating both the government and the governed. Governments attempt to educate and shape public opinion through the media. Likewise, the people provide their feedback and support of governmental policy to a great degree through the media. The government often plays a role in shaping the media, from taking complete control in a totalitarian state to safeguarding a free press in a pure democracy. In our society, the media is ubiquitous and powerful, a critical instrument influencing national security policy. The original document contains color images.