Key Takeaways:
– Trust in corporate media is at its lowest level since 1972.
– Politico has received over $35 million from U.S. government contracts since 2015.
– The Associated Press (AP), along with its associated Press Association, Inc., has obtained over $50 million in total government investments for varied services.
– The Wall Street Journal’s parent company, Dow Jones & Co Inc., pocketed more than $4 million in government contracts.
– The New York Times (NYT) received over $3 million in obligated contract awards from 2003 to 2025.
Government Spending in Media
Federal records have shown that a number of prominent news outlets and their parent companies have received taxpayer dollars from different U.S government agencies. These include The New York Times, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal’s parent company Dow Jones & Co Inc., Politico, and numerous others. While this might seem a troubling revelation to some, the disparity in trust between media outlets and the public may shock even more.
The Trust Gap
According to Pew Research Center data, national news networks’ trust rating in 2024 is 30% less than it was in 2016. This is particularly true among Republicans and young people, who prefer to rely on social media for news over traditional national news networks. This significant decrease in trust may be attributed to instances of inaccurate or misleading reports from these large media outlets.
Money Trail in Media
An interesting insight into this government-media relationship relates to Politico, which has been a recipient of approximately $35 million awarded through various contracts since 2015. Notably, their Politico Pro subscriptions netted them a significant $8.2 million, with services extending to a networking framework together with access to premium content. Other major beneficiaries include Dow Jones & Co Inc. who raked in over $4 million in government contracts involving access to their content.
The AP’s Piece of the Pie
Infamous too in reaping financial benefits from public coffers is the Associated Press (AP) and its linked Press Association Inc., with records indicating receipts of over $50 million from U.S. government. One notable contract saw the AP get around $19.5 million from the U.S. Agency for Global Media (AGM). This, alongside an additional commitment stretching until 2027 to dish out a minimum of $5 million from the AGM, guarantees exclusive access to the AP’s wide range of services.
NYT: Old Player, Old Tactics
The New York Times (NYT) is another long-term player in this field, with obligated contract awards totaling over $3 million from 2003 to 2025. These contracts largely involve subscriptions to the newspaper’s print and digital content, but also include ad purchases from various government agencies, including the U.S. Air Force.
Reliability Came into Question
The reliability and credibility of these news outlets have not been immune to blunders, with several instances of misleading reporting causing a further dent in public trust.
Addressing the Bailout
In response to the financial revelations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that taxpayer-funded Politico Pro subscriptions would be canceled. This move underscored the growing public concern and criticism over the government’s financial links with these media outlets.
Final Words
Is it time for a change in protocol in the taxpayer-funded media landscape? One thing is clear: the current dynamics between government funding and media are fueling a shift in the public’s trust and preference in news sourcing. Only time will tell how this will shape the future of media consumption in the U.S.