As
an organization of journalists, news agencies have the ability to
access and disseminate information faster than independent news
operations. These agencies have the funds to support satellite
locations nationwide and worldwide, allowing news to be gathered and
reported virtually as the news happens. The distribution of information
from these agencies reaches large audiences quickly, making both
citizens and governments able to remain informed as events occur and
evolve. The expansive reach of news agencies can also help to inform
people who otherwise may not be. Informed people who understand the
world around them and the world at large are better suited to make
choices that positively affect them. Large audiences may also lead to
trustworthy information provided by news agencies because misinformation
on a mass level would be dangerous for an agency’s integrity and
stability and the audience’s well-being.
Some
disadvantages that come from the existence of news agencies are largely
corporate in nature. Traditional journalism outlets are commonly
considered to be an oligopoly with the large majority of the market
shared among few providers. These agencies function to turn a profit or
remain supported so the interests of their sponsors becomes the
interests of the agencies. Once a tangible interest outside of the
common qualities associated with journalism becomes present, it is
difficult to consider the news that flows from these agencies to be
without bias. News agencies are in the business of providing
information which can also designate that they control the information
itself. This means, to either the benefit or the detriment of the
public, news agencies have the power to withhold, release, and frame
information how they see fit. Hegemony of that proportion, no matter
how well intentioned, should be concerning to anybody.
