Can newspapers be trusted ?

In the past, newspapers could be trusted to tell the truth. They were objective in their reporting and were not driven by commercial consideration.

This laudable practice has changed in recent years. It is now quite common for newspapers to print articles that give a favorable slant to their big advertisers.

At one time, these articles were printed under the headline "Advertorial". This was intended to warn the readers that the article was contributed by the advertiser and that the newspaper did not verify the statements in the article.

Nowadays, the label of "advertorial" has disappeared. Some journalists are engaged to write a story for a big advertiser. The article has to be approved by the advertiser, in return for a big advertising budget.

This is how some newspapers get advertising revenue to cover the large expenses and to make good profits for their shareholders. This is necessary for the commercial success of the newspaper, and is now more important than independent and honest reporting.