Axios has a disturbing report:
The number of partisan-backed outlets designed to look like impartial news outlets has officially surpassed the number of real, local daily newspapers in the U.S., according to a new analysis.
Why it matters: Many of those sites are targeted to swing states — a clear sign that they’re designed to influence politics.
An independent press run by public spirited citizens is a vital part of a free democracy. These are not – the chained dogs of people frantic to win, because that’s how they advance up the all-important social ladder of prestige and, well, We’re better than you!
Which is all a bit pathetic and a commentary on how the evolutionary positive features of yesterday just don’t scale up so well.
PS Gotta love this:
Catch up quick: These types of websites are often referred to as “pink slime,” a term that originated in the ground beef industry.
- The term has been used for more than a decade to describe politically motivated websites masquerading as independent local news outlets.
