The media doesn’t do a good job of covering itself because it isn’t in the interest of the media to do so. Therefore, other organizations must keep track of the media. The Center for Public Integrity is one such institution that does so.
The Center states its mission as follows:
“The mission of the Center for Public Integrity is to produce original investigative journalism about significant public issues to make institutional power more transparent and accountable. To pursue its mission, the Center:
• Generates high-quality, accessible investigative reports, databases and contextual analysis on issues of public importance.
• Disseminates work to journalists, policymakers, scholars and citizens using a combination of digital, electronic and print media.
• Educates, engages and empowers citizens with tools and skills they need to hold governments and other institutions accountable.
• Organizes and supports investigative journalists around the world who apply the Center's goals and standards to cross-border projects.
• Remains independent by building a strong and sustainable financial base of support, including a community of committed individuals and foundations.
The Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, non-advocacy, independent journalism organization based in Washington, D.C.”
One key issue the site focuses on is media ownership. In fact, the site even has a feature where you can see the media ownership near your zip code. In a search for 66044, (Lawrence) Entercom, Cumulus, Bott and CBS turn up. As well as a list, the search feature shows a map of the locations of the towers where these owners broadcast from.
On a national scale, the site also breaks down media ownership. It features general categories such as entertainment, newspapers and broadcast ownership. In each category, the site ranks the top companies in each area by revenue.
These statistics give you a good idea of how mammoth companies like Sony or Walt Disney are. For instance, according to the site, in 2006 Sony grossed $1.47 million at the box office, but also took in $66.6 billion total. Disney grossed a mere $1.28 million at the box office and $31.9 billion overall.
The site is a great resource for journalists, or anyone else interested in media ownership.