Media Ownership

The significance of media ownership in the United States has been debated since the founding of the country. Media owners oversee the collection, selection, and distribution of information with multiple intentions. The mix of business, politics, and the public trust is integrated into media ownership. The ownership of a news organization involves social responsibility. However, the personal interests of the owner often influences the news and information that is disseminated to the public. The balance between ownership and social responsibility has created extensive debate about the controls and regulations placed on news outlets. As news outlets, platforms and technology change the way the public receives information, the issues surrounding ownership become further complicated. This entry examines the history of media ownership, its influence on news, ...