Who’s Really Behind the News You See?
In today’s world, it’s important to think about who owns and controls the media we turn to for our news. This question matters because it helps us understand the accuracy and trustworthiness of what we’re reading or watching. The media landscape isn’t just shaped by what we see—it’s shaped by the powerful corporations and political forces behind it. These entities influence not only what news gets out, but also how it’s framed and who sees it. The growing concentration of media ownership raises concerns about bias, transparency, and whether public opinion is being manipulated.
Who’s in Charge of the News?
In many countries, the news media is controlled by just a few big corporations. Companies like News Corp (which owns Fox News), The Walt Disney Company (owner of ABC News and ESPN), and Comcast (which owns NBC and Universal) dominate much of the media. This concentration of ownership affects the diversity of viewpoints we see in the media, since just a handful of companies decide what stories get attention. According to McChesney (2007), this consolidation restricts the range of voices we hear, limiting how we perceive both local and global events.
Then there’s the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. These platforms have become major news sources, but they’re also owned by private companies with their own interests. The algorithms these companies use shape what news we see and how it spreads. For example, Facebook’s algorithm often prioritizes sensational or polarizing content, which can distort how we get information (Tufekci, 2015). In other words, these platforms don’t just control the flow of news—they also shape the stories around it, based on what gets the most engagement, whether it’s accurate or fair.
Why Should You Care?
The way media is controlled affects the quality and objectivity of the news we consume. When a small number of companies control most of the media, it limits the variety of perspectives available to the public (McChesney, 2007). With fewer voices being heard, the news we get could be influenced by corporate or political interests, leaving us with a narrow view of the world.
Media control also impacts how important social and political issues are framed. The way a story is told—whether certain facts are highlighted or how language is used—can influence how we think about an issue and even how we vote (Entman, 1993). This has a real impact on democracy, since the way news is presented can affect public opinion and decision-making.
Trust in News Sources
Given the complex world of media ownership and control, trust in news sources is more important than ever. For many people, trust in the news is shaped by whether the outlet aligns with their personal or political views. However, this can lead to confirmation bias, where we only believe information that supports what we already think (Stroud, 2010). To get a more balanced view, it’s important to mix up your media sources and be exposed to different perspectives.
For me, I trust news outlets that are transparent, reliable, and committed to journalistic integrity. While I tend to lean on well-known sources like the BBC, The Guardian, or local sites such as the Illawarra mercury, I stay cautious of sensational headlines or sources with clear political leanings. Research shows that people who seek out a variety of news sources tend to have a more accurate understanding of events (Kumar, 2018). Fact-checking organizations and a growing awareness of media literacy are also helping people make more informed choices about where they get their news.
Conclusion
The question of who owns and controls the media is deeply connected to how much we trust the news we see. As big companies consolidate control over media outlets and social media platforms become news giants, the narratives we’re exposed to are increasingly shaped by those in power. To stay informed, we need to be proactive about seeking out multiple perspectives and questioning the interests behind the media we consume. Being aware of how media ownership impacts our understanding of the world is a crucial step in making sure we get the full picture.
References:
- Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51-58.
- Kumar, V. (2018). Media consumption and its implications on news literacy. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 10(1), 1-12.
- McChesney, R. W. (2007). The political economy of media: Enduring issues, emerging dilemmas. New York: Monthly Review Press.
- Stroud, N. J. (2010). Polarization and partisan selective exposure. Journal of Communication, 60(3), 556-576.
- Tufekci, Z. (2015). Algorithmic harms beyond Facebook and Google: Emergent challenges of computational agency. Colorado Technology Law Journal, 13(3), 203-218.