Disrupt or Be Disrupted: The Rise of Independent Journalism Over Mainstream Media
Mainstream media's political bias is driving viewers towards independent journalism. Free from corporate interests and political affiliations, independent journalism offers diverse perspectives.
Independent journalism is on the rise, offering a fresh and authentic alternative to the corporate and politically influenced news presented by mainstream media—the dominant player in the world of journalism has become an extension of the Democratic Party, leading to a sanitized and politically motivated version of the news. The results? A growing demand for alternative sources of information and a shift towards independent journalism is reflected in declining viewership for mainstream media.
A 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center found that nearly two-thirds of American adults (64%) say that they get at least some of their news from social media, up from just 49% in 2016. This shift has profoundly impacted traditional media companies as they struggle to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For example, since its launch, CNN's morning show "CNN This Morning," with anchors Don Lemon, Poppy Harlow, and Kaitlan Collins, has struggled with ratings. According to Nielsen data, the show has seen a decline of 16.2% in total viewers and 21% in the key demo (adults 24-54) compared to the most recent iteration of "New Day." The current iteration of the morning show is the lowest-rated in nearly a decade and the lowest viewership among adults 24-54 since the launch of "New Day" in June 2013.
According to The Wrap, "CNN This Morning" has been the network's lowest-rated morning show iteration in nearly a decade.
Despite this goal, the most current anchor trio has also sunk 18.6% in demo viewership as compared to “New Day’s” original launch in 2013, even as total viewership for “CNN This Morning” has increased by 30.2%.
For a more recent comparison, within just over the show’s first three months, “CNN This Morning” was down 16.2% in total viewers and was down 21% in the demo compared to the most recent iteration of “New Day,” which ended in late October 2022.
The rise of independent journalism can be attributed to Clayton Christensen's theory of The Innovator's Dilemma, which states that disruptive innovations often come from outside the established market. This is precisely what is happening in the media industry as independent journalists and new forms of media disrupt traditional players. Mainstream media faces increased criticism for its lack of objectivity and perceived biases. Independent journalism is gaining popularity among those who challenge the status quo and question the news instead of accepting it blindly.
Independent journalism operates outside the constraints of corporate interests and political affiliations, allowing for diverse perspectives and a focus on truth. The key difference between independent journalism and mainstream media lies in ownership and operations. Mainstream media is often owned by large corporations with vested interests, leading to a homogenized and politically motivated version of the news that fails to represent the full range of perspectives and experiences accurately. On the other hand, independent journalism is typically run by smaller independent organizations or individual journalists, allowing for a greater focus on investigative journalism and in-depth reporting.
Another key difference is the level of interaction between journalists and their audience. Independent journalists often engage directly with their audience, fostering a more collaborative and community-driven approach to news production. This creates a feedback loop that leads to a more accurate representation of public views and experiences, resulting in a nuanced understanding of the world.
The rise of digital platforms has made it easier for independent journalists to reach a large audience, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. This has given them a significant advantage over mainstream media, allowing them to reach audiences directly without intermediaries.
Clayton Christensen's theory of the innovator's dilemma highlights the importance of adapting and evolving in the face of disruptive change. For mainstream media, this means embracing new technologies and business models that include the promotion of independent journalism and removing themselves from political bias. But, even then, repairing trust is a long shot and unlikely as new forms of media are rapidly changing the landscape.
The media industry is undergoing a profound transformation as established news organizations struggle to keep up with the rapid growth of independent journalists and new forms of media. This shift is reflected in declining viewership for mainstream media. In addition, it is driven by the growing demand for alternative sources of information and the fact that mainstream media has become an extension of the Democratic Party.
If you're tired of the politically influenced news presented by mainstream media, try independent journalism – you might find a more authentic and interactive approach to the news that better represents your yearning to find the truth.
I don't even watch the mainstream news now, like at all, unless someone quotes or uploads a video to substack or other platform I follow...
I think, without looking this up to verify, the term "the free press" somehow centred around when printing presses became more accessible to the common public, and information became harder to control, the powers that be (such as a king or government) were worried what might be said about them, or what political influence such mass media may do to their society, what scandals night be exposed, what propaganda might be unleashed... As of course independent printing presses could disseminate such literature to vast numbers of people quickly (relative to the time period pre electronic communication).
This is why the powerful court journalists and their bosses, how owners of the press became rich and powerful, as the idealists wind up corrupted and part of the system ... Now often given disinformation to peddle for political gain or to subdue the masses...
The true free press is the non commercially compromised press... These days places like substack, and other (currently) uncontrollable platforms... Independent journalism is where to look for the truth, and sometimes lies, but the attraction is being able to decide for yourself what is the truth ... and after three years of obvious lies from the mainstream (well even many decades worth, but last three years has highlighted the level of bullsh!t they think we are stupid enough to swallow) the public are growing tired of the manufactured, gutless, unchallenging rubbish served up by these corporate drones...
I haven't watched television or read a newspaper or consumed MSM tripe since the beginning of 2020. As more of us turn away from those outlets they will become redundant.