How journalists gag themselves

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Self-censorship is alive and well in today’s mainstream press, where four in 10 journalists say they avoid reporting stories that they perceive to be too boring, complex, or controversial. So says a new poll from the Pew Research Center for People & the Press and the COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW.

The poll of 210 reporters from both local and national news outlets indicated that the pressure to be commercially appealing frequently induces reporters to “soften the tone” of the stories they cover, or to avoid covering stories which might be considered “boring” to readers or viewers. But perhaps most revolting is that 35 percent of those polled said they had avoided covering a story because it could hurt the financial interests of the news organization’s corporate owner, and 29 percent had done the same out of deference to an advertiser.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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