The Media

Main Stream Media: easy to find and have national reach; all “media” outlets. Make money by appealing to as many people as possible. Alternative Media: smaller, more narrow audience – usually favors a liberal or conservative bias — fewer advertisers and smaller operating budget. Alternative media audience tends to distrust mainstream media. Public Media: funded by donations from audience, and foundations and receives a small stipend from the government. US public media must state a mission to inform and educate public.

The Media SourceAudienceFundingBiasYOUR Critical observations MainstreamAs large as possible Private- advertising, large, national or multinational companies, corporations Varies— attempts objectivity AlternativefocusedPrivate – smaller/local businesses and individuals Conservative or liberal PublicAs large as possible Donations, memberships, grants, public funding Attempts objectivity; leans liberal Q: How would the factors below affect the ethical and moral choices in determining how a news story is presented?