A Disadvantage of Small, Independent Media

Protesters in Seoul, South Korea

Good article here about Euna Lee and Laura Ling and how Current TV’s status as a small upstart affects their chances for freedom.  According to the article, it’s harder for a smaller channel like Current to exert leverage over foreign governments.  Roxanna Saberi had the same problems in Iran.  The article says:

One of the risks of this kind of improvised, headlong journalism is that reporters lack the backing of large established news organizations that might have the experience and leverage to deal with foreign governments. While Ms. Ling and Ms. Lee, full-time employees of Current, have the backing of Al Gore, who is a founder of the network, they lack the support system that their colleagues at CNN and the British Broadcasting Corporation enjoy.

I think the article is correct.  Although Current has access to the top levels of government through Al Gore, and although Laura Ling has access to Oprah’s ear through her sister Lisa, it lacks the broad amount of support that would come from a big news organization like the NY Times or CNN.  Independent and small media has its advantages, but there are also disadvantages.

Related posts:

1. NY Times Section on Media and Advertising
2. Dying Media
3. Autopsy of an Independent Bookstore
4. Euna Lee and Laura Ling Sentenced to Twelve Years
5. Endowments: A Possible Solution to the Media Problem