Simone Lawson
The American government has had a complex and evolving relationship with the news media, with its role ranging from regulating content to providing financial support. While the media in the US is considered independent, there are rules and policies in place that govern their operations during political campaigns. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), for instance, enforces rules like the equal-time rule, which mandates equal broadcast time for all political candidates. Additionally, the government can influence media coverage through its power to grant or revoke licenses for radio and television broadcasts. The level of government control over the media is a topic of ongoing debate, with critics arguing that media consolidation allows giant corporations to restrict or manipulate news coverage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Control of news programs | The American government has never supported newsgathering to the extent of some countries. |
| The U.S. Constitution was written in secrecy. Journalists were not involved in the process and were not informed of disagreements and decisions. | |
| The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the airwaves and can fine or revoke the licenses of broadcasters for violating public decency standards. | |
| The FCC has established rules for broadcasts concerning political campaigns, such as the equal-time rule. | |
| The fairness doctrine, which mandates that broadcasters provide time for opposing views, has not been enforced since 1985. | |
| The government has regulated media outlet ownership to prevent monopolization, but restrictions have loosened since the 1980s. | |
| Media consolidation has led to a small number of companies owning all media outlets, potentially limiting consumers' choices and leading to news coverage manipulation. | |
| The government has provided financial support to the news business through subsidies, income tax deductions, and credits. | |
| The government has granted licenses for radio and television broadcasts, worth billions of dollars. | |
| The government has made investments in infrastructure and technology. | |
| The government has enacted shield-law protection for reporters against prosecutors' subpoenas. | |
| The Obama administration was criticized for trying to control both information and journalists. |
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What You'll Learn
Media consolidation and ownership
Media consolidation, also known as media convergence or concentration of media ownership, is the process by which fewer individuals or organisations control shares of the mass media. Media mergers occur when one media company buys another.
In the United States, there has been a history of major studios dominating the movie production industry since the early 20th century. The music and television industries have also witnessed cases of media consolidation, with Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann AG merging their music divisions to form Sony BMG, and Tribune's The WB and CBS Corp.'s UPN merging to form The CW.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has played a significant role in regulating media ownership in the United States. In 2003, the FCC voted to repeal the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership ban, allowing a company to own a newspaper and a broadcast station in any of the nation's top 20 media markets, as long as there are at least eight media outlets in the market. However, this decision was reversed in 2007, with the FCC deciding to take a case-by-case approach to determine the impact of cross-ownership on the public interest.
Critics of media consolidation argue that it reduces the diversity and quality of information provided to the public, leading to a poorly informed society. They also worry that it reduces the accountability of information providers and increases the potential for corporate censorship. On the other hand, some, like Benjamin Compaine, argue that consolidation has improved the quality of content and made news more readily available to individuals.
The United States government has had a complex relationship with the press and the news industry. While the government has never supported newsgathering to the extent of some other countries, it has provided significant financial support and subsidies to the American news business. The government has also influenced the news media through policies, statutes, and regulations, which have changed over time with political sentiment and technological developments.
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Government regulation of the media
The American government has historically had a complex and multifaceted relationship with the news media. While the media in the US are considered independent participants in the country's political system, their freedoms are not absolute, and they must adhere to certain rules and regulations.
One of the key ways the government regulates the media is through licensing. Radio and television broadcasters are required by law to obtain a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as the public owns the airwaves. The FCC is responsible for regulating the content aired on these platforms and enforcing decency standards. It has the power to fine or even revoke the licenses of broadcasters who violate these standards, as seen in the case of Howard Stern and CBS's fine for Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction.
The FCC also enforces rules regarding political campaigns, such as the equal-time rule, which mandates that all candidates for a particular office receive equal broadcast time. However, this rule does not apply to news coverage, and the FCC may waive it for purely news-related content, such as when a newscaster interviews a candidate at a political rally or includes clips of candidates in a documentary.
The government has also been known to influence the media through financial means. While the US government does not directly support newsgathering to the same extent as some other countries, it has provided significant financial support to the news business, including subsidies and tax deductions. Additionally, the government has granted licenses for radio and television broadcasts, which can be worth billions of dollars, and has made investments in infrastructure and technology.
Media consolidation has also been a point of contention, with critics arguing that a small number of companies owning all media outlets limits consumers' choices and may lead to restricted or manipulated news coverage. Since the 1980s, the government has loosened restrictions on media ownership, leading to a tendency towards media consolidation, where a few giant corporations control a significant portion of the media landscape.
The relationship between the government and the media is a delicate balance, and it has fluctuated over time, influenced by political sentiment and technological advancements. While the government has a role in regulating the media, particularly in ensuring decency and fairness in broadcasting, the media also plays a crucial role in maintaining government transparency and keeping the public informed.
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Government control of state media
The American government has historically had a complex and multifaceted relationship with the news media. While the media in the US are considered independent participants in the country's political system, their freedoms are not absolute, and they must adhere to certain rules and regulations.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating radio and television broadcasts and enforcing public decency standards. The FCC can fine or even revoke the licenses of broadcasters who violate these standards. Additionally, the FCC's equal-time rule ensures that all political candidates receive equal broadcast time during campaigns, promoting fairness and transparency.
Media consolidation has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that it limits consumers' choices and may lead to restricted or manipulated news coverage. The government has regulated media ownership to prevent monopolies, but restrictions have loosened over time, leading to a concentration of media outlets under a few large corporations.
The US government has also influenced the news industry through financial support and subsidies, although the level of support is significantly lower compared to some other countries. State and local governments have provided subsidies and benefits, such as income tax deductions and the placement of newspaper vendor boxes on city sidewalks.
The US government's relationship with the press has varied, with some administrations being more open and transparent than others. While some presidents have encouraged journalists and allowed questioning, others have been criticised for attempting to control information and limit press access.
In summary, while the American government does not have direct control over news programs during political campaigns, it plays a significant role in shaping the media landscape through regulations, ownership policies, and financial support. The dynamic between the government and the media is complex and constantly evolving, reflecting the swings of political sentiment and technological advancements.
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Government funding of the news business
While the US Constitution was written in secrecy, once it was released, newspapers were free to print it alongside their own commentary and opinion. This freedom of the press has continued throughout American history, with the federal government adopting various roles in relation to the news business, including that of a watchdog of power among news business owners, consumer advocate, and provider of direct and indirect subsidies.
The US government has always provided significant financial support to the American news business, although this support is minimal compared to some other countries. For example, in 2009, the French President announced that free, one-year newspaper subscriptions would be given to those turning 18—an initiative that would be almost unthinkable in the US. The US government has also impacted the news business through the granting of licenses for radio and television broadcasts, investments in infrastructure and technology, and the enforcement of rules regarding obscene and indecent content.
State and local governments have also been benefactors of the news business, providing subsidies such as income tax deductions and credits, and allowing newspaper vendor boxes on city sidewalks. Additionally, almost all states have enacted shield-law protection for reporters against prosecutors' subpoenas.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces rules regarding equal time for political candidates in advertising and interviews. However, this rule does not apply to news coverage, and some stations will avoid showing movies or TV programs featuring political candidates to avoid having to provide equal time to all.
Despite this, some journalists feel that the government tries to control information and journalists, and that a lack of government transparency leads journalists to rely on confidential sources for important information. In 2025, President Donald Trump ordered the dismantling of the government-funded Voice of America, claiming that it promoted biased and foreign propaganda. Trump also attempted to defund NPR and PBS, stating that they had a left-leaning bias, and shut out certain media outlets from covering White House events.
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Press access to the government
While the US media is an independent participant in the country's political system, the government does have some control over news programs and press access. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) previously required broadcasters to air news programs as part of their public-interest obligation, but these requirements have since been eliminated. The FCC also enforces an equal-time rule, which mandates that stations give political candidates equal time for advertising and interviews. However, this rule does not apply to news coverage, and stations may choose not to air certain programs or movies if a political candidate appears in them to avoid equal-time provisions.
The US government has also been known to limit press access, with some administrations being more transparent than others. For example, George W. Bush held 147 question-and-answer sessions with journalists during his first year in office, while Barack Obama held only 46. The Obama administration was criticised by White House press correspondent Helen Thomas for attempting to control both information and journalists.
Sunshine laws require some government agencies to make meeting documents public, and some presidents have encouraged journalists and allowed questioning. However, a lack of openness by government officials can lead journalists to rely on confidential sources for important or classified information. While the Supreme Court does not grant the press absolute freedom to keep sources confidential, the government has the power to choose whether or not to prosecute in these cases.
The US government has provided financial support to the news business, although this support is limited compared to other countries. For example, the government has granted licenses for radio and television broadcasts, invested in infrastructure and technology, and provided direct and indirect subsidies. State and local governments have also provided benefits such as income tax deductions, credits, and vendor boxes on city sidewalks. Additionally, most states have enacted shield-law protection for reporters against prosecutors' subpoenas.
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Frequently asked questions
The American government has never supported newsgathering to the extent of some other countries. While the U.S. government does provide financial support to the news business, it is minimal compared to the support provided by some European and Asian countries. The American government has worn many hats in its relationship with the press and news industry, including acting as a regulator of the public airwaves. Radio and television broadcasters must obtain a license from the government, as the public owns the airwaves. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issues these licenses and regulates the airwaves.
Yes, the FCC has established rules for broadcasts concerning political campaigns. The equal-time rule states that broadcasters must provide equal broadcast time to all candidates for a particular office. However, the rule does not apply to news coverage. For example, if a newscaster covers a political rally and interviews a candidate, equal time does not apply.
Media consolidation refers to the tendency for more and more media outlets to be controlled by a few giant corporations due to loosened restrictions on media ownership. Critics argue that this consolidation limits consumers' choices and that corporate owners might restrict or manipulate news coverage. The government has regulated ownership of media outlets to ensure no single broadcaster monopolizes the market.
Two contrasting theories of state control of the media are the public interest or Pigouvian theory and the public choice theory. The public interest theory suggests that government ownership of media is desirable as it can be less biased, more complete, and accurate. It also states that benign governments should have higher levels of control of the media, which would increase press freedom and economic and political freedoms. On the other hand, the public choice theory affirms that public-spirited, benevolent governments should have less control, which would increase these freedoms. Generally, state ownership of the media is associated with poor, autocratic, non-democratic countries with highly interventionist governments interested in controlling information flow.
