Editorial responsibility, who is ultimately responsible for news delivered?

Question

We keep hearing about executives in charge, directing content of news. Why are these people not interviewed to explain their positions on news content? Isn't news ultimately an outcome of their decision? I have never heard any of these news people explain their positions. They cannot escape responsibility if the story's origin is not theirs, as they pick and choose what will go, presumably discarding some news or direction in favor of another one. Has truth, or the pursuit of truth or fairness, anything to do with it?

Answer 1

Editorial responsibility and decision-making at newspapers is usually a three-tiered process.

At one level is the reporter and the journalist's training, ethics, ability and energy to become interested in or to follow a story.

The mid-level rests within management -- and this is where the corporate interests are influential -- in whether or not the resources (reporter salary and expenses) are going to be expended to follow a story.

And finally there is the editorial responsibility complete with the decision of where within the newspaper the resulting article will be published.

There are many video clips on-line from newspaper "budget" meetings were various editors and reporters discuss story placement and the make-up of that day's newspaper.  

Which story leads the newspaper?....the child shot by drug dealers, the Somali pirates capturing the cruise ship, the local Reserve unit going to Iraq, or the dangers of gasoline tankers passing through town?

Journalists and editors are often speaking in public about the decisions necessary to produce a high-quality newspaper.  You can find many interviews and panel discussions on-line and in the on-line versions of the professional publications like Columbia Journalism Review and American Journalism Review or on the website for Investigative Reporters and Editors.

Answer 2

No, the truth and pursuit of truth have nothing to do with the news they serve up.  It is all about corporate interests. The big investors control the media and the FCC so the only hope we have is from the Internet and foreign sources available on the Internet.

Answer 3

News stories are decided by editors.  It's all about readership and money (ad dollars).