United States Government and Media Profile

United States Political Orientation

Government

Government Type: Constitutional Federal Republic
Leader: President Joe Biden
Political Party: Democratic
Political Position: Center-Left

Press Freedom

MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: 74.79 – Mostly Free
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 55/180

According to the Reporters without Borders’ 2024 report, Press freedom worldwide is under threat, particularly from political authorities, as evident in the latest World Press Freedom Index. The 2024 World Press Freedom Index has revealed that the United States has slipped ten points to 55th place in the rankings. Several factors have contributed to this decline, including media downsizing, dwindling public trust, and hostility from political authorities.

Media Ownership and Government Analysis

The U.S. media landscape comprises a diverse range of privately owned outlets, with few state-operated or publicly traded outlets. Here’s a brief overview:

State-Owned Media: The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) is a government agency that oversees several international broadcasters funded by the federal government, including the Voice of America (VOA). However, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) are not directly overseen by the USAGM. They are independent public broadcasting entities that receive some public funding. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) administers federal funding for NPR and PBS, a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967. While the USAGM focuses on international broadcasting, NPR and PBS provide domestic news, information, and educational content.

Private Media: Most media outlets in the U.S. are privately owned, encompassing major broadcast networks like CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, and CNN, along with numerous radio stations, newspapers, and digital news outlets. This landscape has contributed to growing polarization in news coverage, with certain outlets adopting consistently right- or left-leaning perspectives.

Fox News, a powerful cable television network, has notably aligned itself closely with the Republican Party, especially during the transition of prominent personalities and executives to roles in the Trump administration. Organizations like Freedom House (2024) have noted this alignment, which has observed key hosts openly endorsing Republican candidates and participating in campaign rallies.

The debate over media ownership in the United States has revolved around the concentration of control among major players. Six dominant media companies—Comcast, Walt Disney, AT&T, Paramount Global, Sony, and Fox—significantly influence mass media consumption and distribution. Estimates suggest these companies control up to 90% of U.S. media.

Print Media: The print media sector in the U.S. includes numerous newspapers and magazines. Some of the leading newspapers include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. These publications provide a mix of local, national, and international news.

The U.S. government does not directly control the media but has certain regulatory powers through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Five presidential appointees, confirmed by the Senate, direct the agency. The president also designates a chairperson. At most, three commissioners can be from the same political party. All commissioners serve five-year terms.

Overall: The U.S. media landscape is characterized by a high degree of freedom and independence. However, there are concerns about indirect influence, such as political advertising, lobbying, and contributions to political campaigns. Financial ties between media organizations and political entities can influence editorial decisions, coverage biases, and the overall tone of reporting, resulting in a decline in public trust in media integrity.

Regarding hostility from politicians, according to Freedom House (2021), President Donald Trump has been accusing the media of bias and dishonesty using inflammatory language throughout his presidency.

Having outlined the general landscape of media ownership in the U.S., it’s crucial to examine the role of regulatory bodies in shaping the media. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is one such key player. Its decisions and policies directly influence the structure of the media industry, the diversity of media ownership, and the balance of power among major media companies. Moreover, Congress mandates the FCC to review its media ownership rules every four years. The FCC is also empowered to repeal or modify any regulation it deems no longer in the public interest. Therefore, a detailed analysis of the FCC’s actions can provide valuable insights into media ownership dynamics in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been modifying media ownership rules, including easing radio, T.V., and newspaper restrictions (2021). These changes, however, have faced legal challenges due to concerns about their impact on media ownership by women and minorities, as well as fears of further consolidation among large media companies.

Having discussed the FCC’s role in media ownership, it’s also essential to consider its influence on internet policies, specifically net neutrality. Net neutrality is a policy that ensures Internet Service Providers (ISPs) don’t block or slow legal traffic or charge more for faster content delivery. This has been a contentious issue, with the FCC recently voting to restore net neutrality, a move many celebrated. However, this decision will likely face legal challenges from the telecom industry.

Social Media Platforms’ role is controversial due to misinformation and data privacy issues. There is debate over their role as the new “public square” and whether they promote an open internet or political polarization.

Finally, the Supreme Court recently weighed in on the ongoing debate about regulating online content. They supported the argument that a federal court overstepped by limiting the government’s communication with social media companies on content moderation. This ongoing debate concerns the government’s responsibility in regulating online content and balancing free speech with user protection.

In summary, the media landscape in the U.S. is complex and constantly evolving, with ongoing debates about issues like media ownership, net neutrality, and the role of social media platforms. Please note that the information is based on the latest available data and may change over time.

Country Rating Methodology

Top 5 USA Media Sources by Web Rank

Last Updated on May 5, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check