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Traditional news outlets face an increasingly uphill struggle to make money as readers move to mobile devices, giving Facebook, Google and Apple increasing control, according to a new international survey. The use of mobile devices to access news on a weekly basis surged in the last year from 37% of respondents to almost half (46%), according to a 12-country report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ).
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The dominance of tech giants like Apple, Facebook, and Google has long been a concern, particularly in the realm of news distribution. These companies have am***ed considerable power over the flow of information online, raising questions about the influence they wield over media outlets and their ability to shape public discourse. Here are some key points to consider regarding this issue:- Distribution Control: Platforms like Apple News, Facebook, and Google News have become primary sources for many people to consume news. This concentration of distribution power gives these companies significant control over which stories reach audiences and how they are presented.
- Revenue Model: Traditional news outlets have seen their advertising revenue decline as more advertising dollars flow to tech platforms. Facebook and Google, in particular, dominate the digital advertising market, leaving fewer resources for traditional news organizations to invest in quality journalism.
- Algorithmic Bias: Algorithms used by these tech platforms to curate news feeds and search results can inadvertently promote misinformation or prioritize sensationalized content over reliable reporting. This raises concerns about the quality and accuracy of information available to the public.
- Fragmented Media Landscape: The dominance of tech platforms has contributed to a fragmented media landscape, where many people rely on social media feeds or aggregated news apps for information rather than visiting individual news websites. This makes it harder for traditional news outlets to build direct relationships with their audiences.
- Regulatory Concerns: Governments around the world are increasingly scrutinizing the power of tech giants and considering regulatory measures to address concerns about their influence over the news industry. This includes discussions about antitrust actions, data privacy regulations, and measures to promote media plurality.
- Shift Toward Subscription Models: Some news outlets are exploring subscription-based models as a way to reduce their reliance on advertising revenue and regain control over their distribution channels. However, this shift presents its own challenges, as it requires convincing audiences to pay for content in an era where free news is abundant online.
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