Does the USA have a free press?

[KelleyNice]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2016/06/01/these-15-billionaires-own-americas-news-media-companies/?sh=2f33a96d660a

Perhaps as high as 90 percent of Americans that attended public schools, watch TV, and read mainstream newspapers and magazines believe we have a free press because that is what public schools teach and because it is reinforced by mainstream media 24/7. Our press is forty times freer then the press in China and North Korea. And, as recent events have shown our press is freer than the press in Canada and probably freer than the press in at least 80 percent of the countries of the world.

However, it is difficult to have a free press when the government doesn’t support a free press. And, no government wants a free press. The USA was only a few years old when in 1798 they passed the Sedition Act of 1798 permitting the deportation, fine, or imprisonment of anyone deemed a threat or publishing “false, scandalous, or malicious writing” against the government of the United States. That was the first test of free speech and laws against free speech have been passed or attempted to be passed numerous times since then. Sometimes, but not always, they are invalidated by the courts.

Less than 100 years ago and before TV, there were hundreds on independent newspapers and magazines. Now, 15 Billionaires Own America's News Media Companies.

Regardless of how restricted free press is in China, North Korea, and most other countries, the direction in the USA is less free press and freedom of speech. One method is free speech zones. It was during Bush's presidency that free speech zones were greatly expanded. These zones continued through the presidency of Barack Obama, who signed a bill in 2012 that expanded the power of the Secret Service to restrict speech and make arrests.

[abc3643]

My newspaper subscriptions cost me about...
hmmmm.

$18/4 weeks NYT
$100/year WashPo
$39/month WSJ
About $800/year... and that doesn't include NYT Crosswords or Cooking which are extra.

As for "Freedom of the Press"...

Media Bias Fact Check is an excellent site for evaluating media bias AND press freedom among nations.

Here is an example entry: USA Facts which is a non-profit set up by ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer to deliver direct unbiased data.

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/usa-facts/
===
LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.

Overall, we rate USAFacts Least Biased based on minimal editorializing of information. We also rate them Very-High in factual reporting due to the use of official sources and for serving as a resource to credible fact-checkers.

Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: VERY-HIGH
Country: USA (45/180 Press Freedom)
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History
Founded in 2016 by Steve Ballmer (Former Microsoft CEO, LA Clippers Owner), USAFacts, according to their about page, is a “data-driven portrait of the American population, our government’s finances, and the government’s impact on society. They are a non-partisan, not-for-profit civic initiative and have no political agenda or commercial motive. We provide vital spending, revenue, demographic, and performance information as a free public service and are committed to maintaining and expanding our available data in the future.”

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership
USAFacts is a nonprofit owned and funded by Steve and Connie Ballmer.

Analysis / Bias
In review, USAFacts provides statistics and data on various topics ranging from Covid-19, Healthcare, Immigration, and several other topics. Low biased sourcing from government sources and agencies are the norm. USAFacts does not use any other data as they explain on their FAQ page “We rely solely on government data for consistency and to screen for bias. Data curated by think tanks, academics, or any outlet expressing a viewpoint about the data is not reliably nonpartisan.” The wording used in headlines and reports is low biased and neutral such as this There was one new COVID-19 case for every 76 Americans in November. During the Covid-19 pandemic, USAFacts has provided accurate fact-based statistics that are credible such as this COVID-19 Impact and Recovery. In general, the information provided is highly factual and reported with minimal bias.

Failed Fact Checks
None. In fact, they are frequently used as a resource for fact-checkers.
Overall, we rate USAFacts Least Biased based on minimal editorializing of information. We also rate them Very-High in factual reporting due to the use of official sources and for serving as a resource to credible fact-checkers. (D. Van Zandt 4/26/2017) Updated (12/15/2020)
==============

>>>>>>> NOTICE THIS FROM THE ABOVE REPORT:
Country: USA (45*/180 Press Freedom)

That number 45 is now 42 and is the "Press Freedom Index".
That 42 means that, out of 180 countries, the US is ranked 42nd in press freedom
https://rsf.org/en/index
and it comes from "Reporters Without Borders", an international non-profit (like Doctors Without Borders) based in France.
https://rsf.org/en/who-are-we

This is its report on the USA press freedom...
https://rsf.org/en/country/united-states

In the United States, once considered a model for press freedom and free speech, press freedom violations are increasing at a troubling rate.

MEDIA LANDSCAPE
While most major media outlets in the United States operate free from government interference, many popular outlets are owned by a small handful of wealthy individuals. In a diverse global media landscape, local news has declined significantly in recent years. In 2020, fearing a brutal wave of news agency executive dismissals from the Trump administration, RSF called on the US Agency for Global Media and new media executives to respect the media’s independence.

POLITICAL CONTEXT
After four years of President Trump constantly denigrating the press, President Biden signaled his administration's desire to see the US reclaim its global status as a model from freedom of expression, thus reinstating regular White House and federal agency press briefings. Despite these efforts, many of the underlying, chronic issues impacting journalists remain unaddressed by the authorities – including the disappearance of local news, the polarisation of the media or the weakening of journalism and democracy caused by digital platforms and social networks.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK
In the US, there is ample debate around reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides that social media companies and other web hosts are not liable for content that third parties post on their platforms. The US government continues to pursue the extradition of Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange to face trial on charges related to the publication of leaked classified documents in 2010. Assange remains detained on remand in the UK, impacting both countries’ press freedom records.

ECONOMIC CONTEXT
Economic constraints drastically impact journalists working in the US, where more than 100 local newsrooms have closed since 2020 and where the biggest US newspapers continue to lose subscriptions. Online subscription-based models have helped to offset the decline of some public news outlets, particularly radio stations, while other outlets have found ways to sustain growth through individual donations.

SOCIOCULTURAL CONTEXT
According to recent studies, there are unprecedented levels of distrust in the American media. The disinformation affecting American society has created an atmosphere where citizens no longer know who to trust. Online harassment, particularly towards women and minorities, is also a serious issue for journalists and can impact their quality of life and safety.

SAFETY
In the US, in recent years, journalists have had to work in dangerous conditions and have faced an unprecedented climate of animosity and aggression during protests, where unprovoked physical attacks occurred on clearly identified reporters. There is a troubling trend of journalists experiencing harassment, intimidation and assault in the field.

[KelleyNice]

I read "In Order to Live" by Yeonmi Park; a book that I believe is mostly true. Therefore, I know that in the USA, we have 40 times more freedom of speech than North Koreans. It is not rating by organizations that I pay attention to; organizations that I know almost nothing about and don't have the time nor inclination to learn about.

It does matter how much mainstream media speaks as one voice and what they don't report. Do they speak as one voice on issues that are favorable to the government? Without exception, did they all claim "weapons of mass destruction?" Do they all censor the same news, as fake news? Do they all claim people dying with COVID are deaths from COVID and do they all suppress the injuries and deaths from COVID vaccinations? Do they all call Jan 6 an insurrection when I know the capitol police allowed the people to enter and that the vast majority stayed between the rope and departed?

[abc3643]

First, since you are home-schooled, this means that you have time to watch the January 6th Special Committee Hearings. Day 5 will be tomorrow at 1 PM EDT, noon CDT. You should watch - it's an educational experience for you.

Frankly, I am shocked because the evidence __IS__ showing that an insurrection was occurring and it was more organized than the vast majority of people, me included, realized.

============
OK, this is going to be a long lesson in the differences between "mainstream media" (MSM) and other media outlets which do not consider themselves MSM.

===

Of course, mainstream media comes across as "one voice".
Logic and facts work that way.
Later Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan "You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts."

Let's do a hypothetical example...
The SETI Institute releases a report and press release.

(more)

[abc3643]

>>> Press Release From The SETI Institute
The SETI (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute released a 2022 update to its report "Top 20 Targets For SETI.".

This report identifies 20 star systems with the highest probability of life occurring there. Recent data collected with NASA's new James Webb Space Telescope has enlightened SETI scientists causing them to re-evaluate the probabilities of life among SETI's target stars and alter the list of 20 star systems.

Of particular note, SETI has upgraded the probability of life around Alpha Centauri A from 5% to 7% although the probability for intelligent life has not changed and remains at below 0.001%.

Also, while Delta Pavonis, one of the more optimistic candidates remains on the list, new observations of the metallicity of the star have decreased both probabilities.

Dropped from the list was 40 Eridani A. Previously, a Top 20 candidate, new observations of the increased frequency of X-ray solar flares emanating from 40 Eridani C have lowered A's probabilities significantly, The remaining stars that were below 40 Eridani A have moved up in the list with a new star added as the 20th: JSW-2022.49

>>> END PRESS RELEASE.

(more)

[abc3643]

OK, here's how 3 mainstream media (MSM) TV outlets and one critical of the MSM report it:

1. (Commercial MSM) CanAm Broadcasting Company on their 30-minute evening news telecast:

Scientists with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - SETI - reported today that Alpha Centauri, the closest star to our Sun, has a higher probability of life than previously thought. This analysis comes from new data collected by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launched on Christmas 2021.

2. (Commercial MSM) Peahen Broadcasting Company on their 30-minute evening news telecast:

The SETI Institute released an update to their report of the Top 20 star systems likely to have life. Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to our own, now has a 7% chance of life according to SETI. Previously, SETI had estimated that at 5%. This new probability comes from the analysis of new data collected by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launched in 2021.

(more)

[abc3643]

3. (Public MSM) Plebeian News Service has this as their final report on their 60-minute evening news program:

SETI, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, released an update to their report of the Top 20 star systems most likely to harbor life. The probability of life about Alpha Centauri A increased from 5% to 7%. Alpha Centauri A is the largest member of the triple-star system, Alpha Centauri which, at a little over 4 light-years away, is the closest star system to our own. The closest of those 3 stars is Proxima Centauri, a dim red star, but Alpha Centauri A is almost a twin of our Sun. The report, based on data from NASA's new James Webb Space Telescope, will also disappoint Star Trek fans because 40 Eridani A, the sun of Mr. Spock's homeworld of Vulcan, was dropped from the Top 20 list. We hope our Star Trek fans cheer up and that all our viewers continue to live long and prosper. I'm Joanie Woodrough and good night from all of us at PNS.

(more)

[abc3643]

And here's how this topic is covered by Kit News Network, a "balanced and fair" network, as discussed by the host of their hit 60-minute cable show "Tacky Gnarlsin This Evening".

"So, today, the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI, updated their list of stars that might have planets with life. Alpha Centauri, the closest star to us, had an increase in likelihood of life from 5% to 7%. An increase of 2%. That's it. Oh, and how did they figure that out? With that James Webb Space Telescope, a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars! How much of a waste? NASA says that the telescope cost almost $10 billion dollars! $10 billion to look at stars and tell us that some star has an increase in the probability of life from a measly 5% to a just as measly 7%. So what if they find life there? Are we going to visit it? Sell them American-made products? No, of course not. And, if we could, what would happen? The liberals in the swamp would give these aliens our jobs of course! But I digress. In fairness, if there is any life there, it probably isn't any more advanced than slime. So you and I and our fellow Americans spent $10 billion of our hard-earned money looking for slime on other planets. Yeah, that's smart spending - the kind you get from idealistic ivory tower liberals who are out of touch of with the American people. $10 billion wasted that could have been used hiring armed veterans to protect our schools or the build ex-President Trump's wall to keep the illegals out. But the mainstream media won't tell you that. They just want to help keep taxing you and wastefully spending your hard-earned money on ridiculous projects like this instead of using that money to help real people like you and me."

(more)

[abc3643]

=============
OK, so what's the difference? And, did anyone lie?

In the above, the 3 MSM networks reported the important facts from the press release put out by the SETI Institute. A press release such as that isn't just for news media, but also for people in the scientific community. This is why information like X-ray flares from Alpha Centauri C don't get reported on the evening news, but Alpha Centauri itself is a noteworthy star, so its change in probabilities got reported. But, all 3 MSMs used the press release as the source of their reporting. In a sense, they are "passing the message" from SETI to the public, but without all the gory details - just the important ones that the public should know from the report.

But, at Kit News Network, Tacky Gnarlsin also reports the important facts from the report - 1) the report was released by SETI, 2) Alpha Centauri's probabilities changed, and 3) the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used. But then he just editorializes. Nothing he said was necessarily wrong or incorrect - JWST does cost around $10 billion per NASA - and he discusses how, in his mind, it is wasteful spending. He then goes on the attack defending conservative ideas or goals while attacking liberals - blameworthy or not - as the source of this waste and denial of conservative goals. Furthermore, he attacks the MSM because they aren't reporting the cost of the telescope and that this is a waste according to him.

(more)

[abc3643]

Why is that? Why didn't the MSM say any of the things Tacky Gnarlsin did about the costs and the waste?
Two reasons:
1. The job of journalists is to give you the facts of the story at hand. The story at hand here is the press release from SETI. It is not the job of journalists to editorialize. That's what the editorial board does. In the MSM nightly newscasts, they don't do that. They don't have the time to report it because there is so much more news to discuss, so they state the facts and move on.
2. The costs of the JWST are not related to this story nor are budget decisions which is what spending money on the JWST versus other priorities is. An in-depth research or opinion piece like on 60 Minutes or Dateline might be worthy, but not in the evening newscasts which are dedicated to today's news.

So, the MSM did its job: report the facts per the press release from SETI which is why they all seem to "speak with one voice".
Tacky Gnarlsin of Kit News Network reported the minimal facts and turned them into a propaganda screed to accomplish his and KNN's political objectives.

Whether the facts are true or not is not important here.
What the MSM did is journalism.
What Tacky Gnarlsin of Kit News Network did is propaganda.
If KNN did journalism and not propaganda, their voice would likely be similar to the rest of MSM.

That's it for now.
I'll teach you more about propaganda later, I hope.

[abc3643]

SEE MY VERY LONG ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION to learn about how to consume (watch, listen, read) news reports and be alert to bias:
What is your primary political news source? ↗

[KelleyNice]

I never question mainstream on astronomy, the date and time, obituaries, sports scores, that they do the best they can in reporting the weather, and when president makes his state of the union address, it will be printed completely and accurately. And, even though, I may question the accuracy of government reports such as the inflation rate, mainstream will accurately state what the government reports.

Thank you for suggesting the Special Committee Hearings, I will watch it.

[abc3643]

If you get a chance, you should watch the previous ones which began two weeks ago in primetime on June 9th.

https://www.youtube.com/c/January6thCmte

Sadly, I cannot watch tomorrow's hearing live; I inadvertently committed myself to going to the vet, so I will have to watch it tomorrow evening.

The Washington Post also has a live YouTube channel for it. Likely other news outlets do as well.

The Hill does a very good job reporting news involving government and politics.
https://thehill.com/social-tags/jan-6-hearings-2/

[KelleyNice]

@
abc3643 I went back and looked at the links in your first message. That was very good and helpful information. Thank you.

[Lunatic1]

I believe it is possible to have a free press. However, the mainstream has become unbelievably biased over the years.

[RolandCuthbert]

Of course we have free speech, what you want is speech free from consequences. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. Here you are blabbing about something "Obama" did, when in truth under Trump, Kathy Griffin was hauled in investigated, fired, and put on a no fly list because of the bloody mask prank.

Just because you have freedom of speech does not guarantee you freedom to a job, or to your friends or from ridicule.

Because to expect that, is insane.

[driven159]

The word free is overused we have been losing are freedoms for many years now we are to blame for most of it criminals have cause us to be monitored from everywhere people doing stupid things that cause places to be closed phone tell everyone where we are located drug cartels cause or banks to report big deposits to the government car monitor are driving we use the internet or phones for everything so prying eyes can see what we say and do news has its own agenda don't even cover real news anymore

[globetrotter22]

In general free speech is allowed unless it directly calls for acts of violence including a violent insurrection against the government.

But the definitions of “violent” keep getting expanded. Do many leftists “speech is violence” if you don’t agree a man is a man and a woman is a woman. They have increasingly called for more “moderation” i. e. censorship and deplatforming of public figures they don’t like.

Legally speaking the government shouldn’t have the power to do this. However leftist ideals have invaded corporate board rooms giving by pressuring private companies and major corporations to cancel, fire and censor employees who voice opinions that don’t reflect leftist “values”. One place you see this practice become increasingly pronounced is in journalism.

[AviatorTom]

Yes, the US has a Free Press. That means the press has the freedom to investigate and report what it wants, without censorship from government.

The issue is that many people believe Free Press means Fair Press, and that is not the case in the US. Most news media emphasize liberal politics and don't always report all sides of any newsworthy event.

[SlightlyEccentric]

I think the better question is "do we have an honest and professional press" to which the answer is a definite No.

[KelleyNice]

@
SlightlyEccentric I agree, that would be more accurate.

[Vickymoore9]

No America press and media are controlled by the politicians, Goerge Soro’s and other players controlling the narritive of every story. When people say we have freedom of the press in America that’s bullshit!

[jshm2]

There never is, and never can be, such a thing as "free press". The press is a business like any other. The product is information in most regards and who pays to publish and not to publish is down to who has the dollars to put down.

It's always laughable when Americans and Brits talk about their press like it's some sort of global champion of speech. When in fact no other industry is hauled before courts for libel, lies, and dishonesty like the press and it's staff.

[Sixgunsound]

No, America’s press is in fact less free than Russia’s.

[KelleyNice]

Perhaps the press in the USA is less free than Russia's press, but not less free than when Russia was part of the USSR. Nevertheless, what our government is doing Julian Assange and others for publishing the truth is a strong indication that the USA does not have a free press.

[Sixgunsound]

Extraditing a foreign citizen to face espionage charges for committing journalism and its associated inconvenient truths for big business big government etc. is not something I would ever have imagined seeing in America.

[Sixgunsound]

I just got a ban notice from GAG against a question I asked because the truth is too inconvenient for leftist sensibilities. That’s ok, I consider that ban a win because before debate could begin I was already awarded the victory because it was such an unfair fight. I love it when leftists admit they have arrived unarmed for a battle of wits.

[KelleyNice]

@Sixgunsound I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that GAG is owned or controlled by the same group that owns mainstream media.

[Sixgunsound]

I’m not sure it could be, because conservative voices aren’t universally censored or deplatforned once they start talking about inconvenient truths the left has no answer for.

[Stoner710]

For the most part yes, unfortunately a lot of right wing outlets are suppressed but we do have free press in the United States even though there is some suppression

[Avicenna]

For the most part it’s corporate media snd is propaganda

[RingusUrDingus]

there's also only like 15 magazines and newspapers left in existence too.

Not sure what the point is with thism

[exitseven]

There is a free press but it has been taken over by big conglomerates that buy up smaller newspapers. Soon there will be two companies that will own all the newspapers.

[DaveJord]

Yes, the United States has a Free press that can be bought and sold by anyone freely and fairly on the open market... just like seats in our congress.

[Iron_Man]

Nobody is of free speech you have to watch certain words that you say and watch out what certain subjects you bring up like racism and LGBT because if you say something wrong you can get fired unfortunately.

[Adaeva]

It is supposed to be free but it may not publish the truth.

[peedy]

No its control by a few very rich very power people, and it's not news anymore it's propaganda
But there are a going number of alternatives news channels out there and to a degree they are free press

[skeetskeetskeet]

The press is free... but they are all owned by just a couple people who use it to push whatever agenda they want... watch news from PBS or other countries and you'll see shit you will never see here...

[DWornock]

There is no free press when the powerful elite own or control mainstream media and the government takes action to prosecute and shut down alternate media.

[Jay3344]

The corporate press is free from a lot of government intervention but they choose to run the narratives they want. The thing is YouTube has allowed so many Americans can spread news freely

[lpoots]

who owns the American press
how can press be free

[Dargil]

No. Increasingly even Fox news. Their bias comes from their corporate leadership and advertisers.

[FilmGuy93]

As a former member of the USA's Press; no, it is not free.

[jimmy2]

We have most media is fake news I watch some and last 5 minute's it'll all fake

[OddBeMe]

All correct. But thats capitalism. However youtube and FB makes influencers who have more sway than the billionaires.

[Anonymous]

If say you have the potential of a free press. Some other countries hopelessly do not.
There are still rules and biases for a number of reasons.

[Anonymous]

The media is biased and the schooling system rides along with the media

[Anonymous]

Technically yes, functionally no.

[Wsx2wsx2ws]

Yes! There is one left. Its called Oppress.

[crmoore]

Less and less so every day

[baserunner611]

Unfortunately, it's corporate owned

[JohnK123]

Yes but saying I’mma kill the pres isn’t allowed

[PatriceONeal]

Thank God for that constitution thing

[Cubus]

Yes, it has.

[Snakeyes7]

It is supposed to.