Media Privatization U.S. Privatization of

Media Privatization U.S. Privatization of the media in the United States has promoted growth in new media technologies and helped the country reach its current position as a global leader in communications. However, a privatized media restricts access to communications resources, limiting editorial voices to the for-profit sector. Corporate-run media means more potential for economic growth but stifles diversity of opinion.

Moreover, media privatization has enabled the current conglomeracy situation in which a relatively few number of major corporations own and operate almost all the media outlets in the United States. If the media is essential to a democracy in disseminating information and permitting a plurality of voices, then media conglomeracy may in itself be undemocratic. By definition, privatized media restricts access to resources. The general public does not read, listen to, or see that which has not cleared the editorial offices of the major media outlets.

Those outlets are headed by profit-hungry corporations that pander to investors at the expense of the truth. Biases in reporting and coverage is also a by-product of media privatization and especially of media conglomeracy. Public influence on traditional media content is negligible. Letters to the editor are often the only opportunities an average citizen, one who is not associated with the media, can voice an opinion and reach a wide audience.

New media offers a wealth of venues for voices alternative to the mainstream: blogs and other personal Web sites allow individuals to express themselves freely. With regards to the content contained in reputable media outlets online, though, private companies still control what and how topics are covered. What passes as newsworthy differs from source to source but generally an editorial staff selects content that best suits its bottom line.

Because media conglomerates are composed of companies with interests other than those related to the media, stakeholders and investors often do not care what passes as newsworthy so long as the content contained in company media pleases sponsors and helps raise revenues. Content reflects advertising and investor revenues. What is being reported on, and the tone with which it is delivered, are not influenced by the public except in an indirect way: response to media advertisements.

Advertisements that garner attention are generally those that coexist with content that attracts viewers, readers, or listeners. Equitable access to the media is also restricted, especially access to new media because they depend on emerging technologies. Almost every American household has a television but even though computer ownership is greater in the United States than in most nations a large portion of the American public cannot afford a computer in the home.

Social class -- which happens to be linked directly to race as well -- therefore determines access to new media. Because new media is the only real free outlet for non-traditional voices, the underprivileged are essentially denied access to information. Public opinion on political issues is skewed because of disparate access to media. Similarly, the ability to think critically is absent from most segments of American.