“Freedom of the press is only guaranteed only to those who own it.” This adage from A. J. Liebling, a fellow journalist poignantly illustrates the struggles that are currently plaguing the journalism industry. Journalism was meant to check elite power and prevent tyranny. However, the decimation of independent journalism–driven by corporate and political interference–undermines this fundamental purpose. Once investigative, journalism has devolved into a frenetic clickbait-producing machine focused on profit rather than credible information. This decline has allowed political and corporate interests to dominate. The ramifications of such a reality are severe and acute: as news deserts expand, governmental and corporate figures wield unchecked power leaving the populace uninformed and susceptible to manipulation.  Controlled by the elites, journalism is no longer a check on power – it has become a monolith manipulated by it. 

News deserts are communities lacking local news coverage. Since 2005, around one-third of local newspapers have collapsed, leading to nearly 55 million Americans residing in news deserts. Corporations have been at the root cause of this unfortunate pattern. The top 25 companies that have a stake in the journalism industry own more than one-third of all US newspapers, while the number of independent news outlets across the nation has dwindled to mere thousands. The consequences of this are three-fold. The sheer shortage of disparate outlets limits opportunities in an already cut-throat industry. Moreover, the lack of competition in the sector drives wages of journalists down, diminishing their financial stability and making the field unlucrative. Beyond the financial impacts, the lack of diversity in voices means that those in power evade accountability. The diminishing presence of local investigative journalism permits government officials and corporations to act without scrutiny, fueling the proliferation of corruption and inequity. The last and most pernicious consequence is the effect this all has on the people. Without reliable news outlets, people are disenfranchised, susceptible to misinformation and political polarization. Journalism’s monopolization harms all vulnerable stakeholders: journalists face middling wages and dwindling job opportunities, local news outlets face extinction, and the people face a media saturated with biased sensationalism.

Just as the rise of media conglomerates in the journalism space comes with a set of devastating consequences, the solution requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes integrity, accessibility, and sustainability as paramount. First, public funding must be sustainably expanded to support non-profit, independent news organizations that operate free from government and corporate influence. In conjunction with this, federal grants should be allocated to local newspaper outlets to tackle the growing number of news deserts. Second, the enforcement of antitrust legislation is imperative. A company like GateHouse Media should not be in control of over 600 community publications. Breaking up these monopolies fosters competition, driving accurate journalism. Lastly, strengthening journalist unions is crucial to prevent corporate exploitation from affecting the quality of work and wages of journalists. By restructuring the industry in this way, the press would no longer be owned incestuously by just a handful of companies, but by journalists and the people they serve. But hey, it’s just a thought!