Brummett reacts sharply to the cynical view of Chesapeake Energy about the media. It was reported here earlier. One of its higher ups said in an interview that they figure they have us purchased already with conventional advertising and that it’s just a touch more efficient to hire former news readers like Anne Jansen to directly funnel propaganda to the public in informercials and other forms of faux news.
Offensive as that idea is, it wouldn’t be wise to wholly dismiss out of hand the influence that conventional advertising buys in media, particularly smaller media. Large news organizations provide many buffers — not to mention much larger advertising bases — to ward off business-side influence on editorial efforts. At small operations, a publisher and reporter might work a few feet apart. At the smallest, the publisher might do some of the reporting. Ultimately, you’re judged by your work. Or lack thereof.