In media classrooms one always distinguishes advertising from public relations by underlining the fact that advertising is a paid form of endorsement through mass media, while public relations is unpaid. In fact it is taught that public relations may include an organization or an individual gaining exposure to their audiences using topics of public interest and news items that do not require direct payment. Nowadays though, such definitions look outdated, anachronistic and may even end up as misinformation.
Stories of "paid news" has been doing the rounds since the beginning of the millennium and towards the end of the first decade, the issue has come out into public domain.The links attached below therefore may not shock people, but it provides us with an understanding of the scale and dynamics of this disease.
Paid News in Indian Media
Indian Media Highs and Lows
How to become famous in India
The surge of news channels and launch of newspapers by politicians, industrial houses, businessmen suddenly seems to make sense and falls into a clear pattern. Not surprising that even in social media also, we will see "paid internet users" publishing content and possibly internet real estate/media owners manipulating algorithms to ensure that a certain point of view prevails.
I suppose we now have to consume all forms of media with a large pinch of salt!! Hopefully blood pressures will not go up too much as a consequence!!!
Ends.
Stories of "paid news" has been doing the rounds since the beginning of the millennium and towards the end of the first decade, the issue has come out into public domain.The links attached below therefore may not shock people, but it provides us with an understanding of the scale and dynamics of this disease.
Paid News in Indian Media
Indian Media Highs and Lows
How to become famous in India
The surge of news channels and launch of newspapers by politicians, industrial houses, businessmen suddenly seems to make sense and falls into a clear pattern. Not surprising that even in social media also, we will see "paid internet users" publishing content and possibly internet real estate/media owners manipulating algorithms to ensure that a certain point of view prevails.
I suppose we now have to consume all forms of media with a large pinch of salt!! Hopefully blood pressures will not go up too much as a consequence!!!
Ends.
