News is critical to our understanding of key events occurring around the globe. It provides us with an insight quickly to an event that has occurred, closing the borders in which govern countries and allowing distribution of information across those lines. In an ideal world, news is free and unbiased. However, in reality, companies are often bought, and the information is biased and/or unreliable.
It is becoming more apparent that information must be researched before it is consumed and believed. Before you continue reading news, you must ask yourself who indeed owns your news or media outlets. Are they independent organisations or are they funded by an individual/s? These questions are critical, because they can answer whether your information you are consuming is true or funded.
In Australia, a large number of news outlets are funded by rich individuals. Rupert Murdoch, a Media Mogul, owns various newspapers including The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and The Courier Mail, alongside others. Using Murdoch as an example, it brings forth the warning that news provided from listed outlets may not be 100% unbiased and may be funded.
Newspapers around the world may be suffering the same fate. It is paramount that you research into who owns your media.
Other individuals who own parts of media outlets include Gina Rinehart, James Packer, Lachlan Murdoch and Bruce Gordon who own select parts of The Ten Network.
It does not take long to research into who owns the various media outlets your consume. It is also important to look into independent publishers who may be more reliable with their validity of information over larger publications who may be suffering the Murdoch effect. By investigating into your news sources, it will save you a headache in worrying about where your news actually comes from. As a member of the Media Audience, it is your responsibility to investigate.
Click here to find out which networks are owned within Australia. To find out the future of Journalism within Australia click here.
