A majority of student news outlets have financial ties to their respective universities, which compromises their independence and objectivity. College newspapers financially tied to their universities may face pressure to avoid reporting stories crucial to their communities. For instance, universities have exerted oversight to avoid negative publicity and controversial issues or to paint the university in the best possible light. While there is no universal solution to this problem, this concern warrants attention. Press freedom is essential for training future journalists, but it becomes muddled if student media budgets are subject to approval by student governments or university administrators.
A March 2016 survey conducted by the College Media Association found that over three years, more than 20 media advisers who had not sent articles for approval experienced some level of administrative pressure to censor content. This issue also extends to professional news outlets, where journalists may not be able to exercise complete press freedom but rather adhere to a predetermined narrative shaped by their corporate owners or sponsors.
Unsurprisingly, large-scale businesses own most mainstream news outlets, but this creates problems when covering sensitive topics that require diverse perspectives. In the United States, six corporations own 90% of all media. Over 30 years ago, media ownership was divided among 50 different companies, suggesting a significant consolidation of power. What led to this shift? The U.S. media industry faces substantial ownership issues, including high rates of layoffs and a shift toward digital news platforms, which often prioritize sensationalism over in-depth reporting.
These digital platforms are capturing revenue that once supported traditional news outlets, which may lead to a dangerous cycle of buyouts, funding cuts and downsizing of newsrooms. This trend restricts media coverage and diminishes the diversity of viewpoints available to the public. When corporations prioritize profits over public information, it results in a one-sided narrative or, in some cases, the complete omission of important stories. Although business interests have always influenced commercial media, it is crucial to recognize that new regulations and reforms should be implemented to address these systemic issues and promote a more balanced and transparent media landscape.
The challenges facing both student and professional news outlets underscore a critical need for reform in how media organizations are governed and funded. The financial ties between university administrations and student newspapers, along with the monopolistic control by a few large corporations over mainstream media, severely compromise journalistic independence and the diversity of perspectives in news reporting.
