Money is everything. For people on the street corner, to business tycoons, and everyone in between, a small, green sheet of paper is what runs the world. With money, there comes the fruitless, yet never-ending fight for control of the market and the power struggle between the nation's leading companies. Once leaders do emerge, they are hard to stop. This idea can be seen most readily in the United States' media outlets today with a concept known as media consolidation.
On the outside, media consolidation does not seem like that big of a deal, simply another business venture by the nations powerhouse companies, but these deals are a lot more potent than you think.When you think of a television network or news channel today, the likelihood is that it is owned by another company. Over the last several years, there has been a trend of buying out smaller outlets and networks, and even larger networks by those in control, in order to consolidate the media under the interests of its market leaders.
This has left roughly six enterprises at the helm of the world of news communication. These are ComCast, Disney, TimeWarner, 21st Century Fox, CBS, and Viacom. The graph above illustrates just how much of the market they control and key media outlets owned under their name.
The issue here boils down to two things. First, when hundreds of outlets and names are being bought out and consolidated under one name, it becomes more difficult for independent journalists or smaller companies to make a name for themselves in the industry. Their opinions are quickly shut out or simply never heard. The second issue is bias. There is always the presence of partiality when it comes to reporting and writing, especially when it is opinion based. The problem arises when the news outlets of today are controlled by companies who have a specific agenda and message to convey. They make partnerships with political candidates and other powerful companies and promise to work in their interests. This sways the news being reported, meaning it is not long before the opinions people can choose to hear from online or on tv are no longer a wide array of options, but a hand full that reflect the sentiments of the Big 6 and their business deals.
References:
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/media-consolidation-means-less-local-news-more-right-wing-slant
http://thekulturedqueen.com/2017/12/11/net-neutrality-vote-media-consolidation-it-does-effect-you/
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