Identifies the effects of pressure groups on journalists. While institutional pressures are enough to keep most journalists from straying from the conventional wisdom, pressure groups stand ready to punish the exceptional reporter who challenges the official agenda. When does an activist group become a pressure group? A pressure group is more concerned with suppressing viewpoints […]
Issue area: Censorship
Gives examples of government regulations. Since governments almost always have an interest in controlling the free flow of information, official censorship is something that must be constantly guarded against. In our society, however, large corporations are a more common source of censorship than governments: Media outlets killing stories because they undermine corporate interests; advertisers using […]
Issue: Official Agendas
Gives examples of government influence on news media. Despite the claims that the press has an adversarial relationship with the government, in truth U.S. media generally follow Washington’s official line. This is particularly obvious in wartime and in foreign policy coverage, but even with domestic controversies, the spectrum of debate usually falls in the relatively […]
What’s wrong with advertiser influence in the news?
Gives example of the effect of advertisers on news media. Most of the income of for-profit media outlets comes not from their audiences, but from commercial advertisers who are interested in selling products to that audience. Although people sometimes defend commercial media by arguing that the market gives people what they want, the fact is […]
What’s wrong with corporate ownership of the news?
Explores the influence of corporate ownership over news media. Almost all media that reach a large audience in the United States are owned by for-profit corporations–institutions that by law are obligated to put the profits of their investors ahead of all other considerations. The goal of maximizing profits is often in conflict with the practice […]
What’s wrong with sensationalism?
Identifies sensationalism in various news reports Profit-driven news organizations are under great pressure to boost ratings by sensationalizing the news: focusing attention on lurid, highly emotional stories, often featuring a bizarre cast of characters and a gripping plot but devoid of significance to most people’s lives.
CounterSpin
A weekly radio show that critically examines major news stories CounterSpin is FAIR’s weekly radio show, hosted by Janine Jackson, Steve Rendall and Peter Hart. It’s heard on more than 125 noncommercial stations across the United States and Canada.
Extra!
Past issues of FAIR’s hard-hitting magazine of documented media criticism.
Educational Games on Media Literacy
Interactive modules and educational games for use in the classroom
The Lesson Library
Database of in-classroom lessons can be searched by grade or topic
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