In a capitalist society, almost everything is supposed to “run like a business.”
From a purely ideological standpoint, it makes sense. Businesses make things efficient, they reward innovation, and they prevent complacency in most cases. Running things like a business means there is a financial goal to be met and every part of that organization is working together towards that goal. It is not a bad premise–especially considering the alternatives can mean fascist and communist structures which hurt civilians.
But adding financial incentives don’t always make sense. Education’s sole purpose is to benefit the health and intellect of children, not cut costs. The government is meant to keep an organized society for the welfare of its citizens, not to work on as little a budget as possible. And journalism is one of our societal pillars meant to inform citizens to keep a healthy democracy–not to make money.
Unfortunately, many news organizations have had to sacrifice their loyalty to citizens in order to stay afloat. It isn’t their fault–it’s just how things are in the United States. But when the idea of “running like a business” interferes with your intended purpose, hasn’t a line been crossed?
Think of Native Advertising. There is no journalistic purpose for it. While it may use journalistic tools to engage an audience, it was not designed to inform the general public. It was designed to sell something. But its prevalence in our current society builds distrust between the consumer and the journalist or organization behind the work.
Ideally, journalism could be funded by the government. And while this seems like the first step into a dystopian nightmare, it could be done without conflicting interests. It is similar to the HBO model–many shows HBO financially sponsors don’t align with its company interests (or the interests of its parent company AT&T). There is a separation between the finances and the content that prevents silencing of opinions.
It would be difficult and highly unpopular, but it is one of many options to start pulling journalism away from the claws of capitalism. Because the more journalism is run like a business, the less it is run for the benefit of the people.
Brenna Fuhr 