Make Me Smart What is media capture?
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Jan 22, 2026 Rodney Benson, a media and communication professor and author of "How Media Ownership Matters," dives into the unsettling phenomenon of media capture. He discusses how political figures, like Trump, exert influence over media companies, leading to compromised journalism. Benson highlights significant examples, including the turmoil at CBS and Warner Bros., exacerbated by consolidation in the industry. He contrasts U.S. challenges with European models that successfully resist capture, urging support for independent journalism as a solution.
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What Media Capture Means
- Media capture extends regulatory capture to journalism, weakening the media's watchdog role.
- Capture can be direct or indirect through government allies and business pressures.
CBS Sale And Editorial Shifts
- CBS's sale to Paramount Skydance involved editorial changes and an ombudsman with Republican ties.
- Reported settlements and staffing moves suggested concessions made to ease regulatory approval.
Ellisons, Trump, And The Warner Bid
- The Ellisons' bid for Warner Bros. includes CNN and aligns them closely with President Trump.
- Their offer reportedly included willingness to alter CNN to be more sympathetic to the administration.
