http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/481160427

Television news and a parent company : the effects of the AOL-Netscape and AOL-Time Warner mergers on newscats

The constant consolidation mode of media companies prompted this research. After the FCC moved into a deregulatory mood in late 2001, many feared too much broadcasting power would be consolidated into too few individual's hands. Understanding what impact consolidation has on coverage sparked this thesis. This textual analysis found two things: first, companies do seem to give a more favorable treatment of their parent company, and second, broadcasters do not provide nearly enough coverage of major mergers, such as AOL-Time Warner. Future research should attempt to see if this lack of coverage happens with other stories and what causes this phenomenon. A better understanding of this phenomenon will help broadcasters learn more about how to cover stories better and give the academic arena a better understanding of mergers/consolidations and their effects. More research will also provide better information for lawmakers who hold the future of this industry in their hands every day.

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