The Gray Area with Sean Illing The news is by — and for — rich, white liberals
Aug 30, 2021
Nikki Usher, a professor at the University of Illinois and author of "News for the Rich, White, and Blue," dives into the biases within journalism that cater primarily to affluent, white audiences. She discusses the role of media in shaping public perceptions and how geographic context influences storytelling. Usher critiques the disconnect between national news narratives and marginalized voices, highlighting the urgent need for more inclusive reporting. The conversation also touches on the implications of media funding and the importance of local journalism for democracy.
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Target Audience of News
- News is created for a "quality audience": paying, influential elites.
- This bias is worsened by market failures, especially in the digital era, favoring large national outlets over smaller local ones.
Self-Inflicted Wounds in News
- The decline of local news is partly self-inflicted due to news organizations' misunderstanding of digital economics and monopolies.
- Misconceptions around online advertising revenue and audience engagement led to financial struggles.
Demand-Side Bias in News
- Diversifying newsrooms isn't enough; the demand side matters.
- If news outlets write for primarily white audiences, coverage will be distorted, regardless of newsroom diversity.
