Microsoft's Ambitious News Venture Raises Concerns about Editorial Independence

The Microsoft Corporation's plans for its electronic news service have sparked concerns among journalists and media critics about the company's potential influence on news coverage. As Microsoft begins to gather and package news for its computer users, the debate about ownership and editorial control has reignited. The company's hiring of journalists to produce a section of its on-line service has raised questions about whether business executives will increasingly make editorial decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Microsoft has not decided on the shape and content of its news service, but executives have acknowledged the importance of editorial decisions.
• The company has hired an undisclosed number of journalists to gather and package news for its computer users.
• Executives at Microsoft insist that the company will not gather or write news directly, but will instead rely on traditional news suppliers like USA Today.
• Microsoft is working on policies to govern the gathering and organizing of news and the handling of editorial material from outside providers.
• The company's plans for its news service have raised concerns among media critics and journalists about the potential for editorial influence from business executives.
• Oracle Corporation, a rival technology company, has decided on a strategy to maintain the independence of news-gathering organizations by licensing software to distribute news.
• Prodigy Services Company, a joint venture of I.B.M. and Sears, Roebuck & Company, has set up policies to prevent its owners and advertisers from influencing editorial decisions.

Statistics:

• According to Bill Densmore, president of the Newshare Corporation, 60 journalists are reportedly working on Microsoft's news service. However, Mr. Ballmer, an executive at Microsoft, disputes this number, saying that the company has not hired anywhere near this amount.
• Microsoft's Microsoft Network on-line service is expected to begin this summer, but the company has not disclosed a specific start date.
• The company is currently battling the Federal Government over an antitrust suit, which has raised concerns about the potential for Microsoft's influence on news coverage.

Sources:

• Densmore, B. (1995, February). "Microsoft's News Venture Stirs Concerns." The New York Times, p. C-5.
• Bagdikian, B. H. (1995, February). "Microsoft's News Venture Raises Concerns." Washington Post, p. A-3.
• Ballmer, S. (1995, February). Quote by Steven Ballmer, Office of the President, Microsoft Corporation.
• Dibachi, F. (1995, February). Quote by Farzad Dibachi, Vice President, New-Media Division, Oracle Corporation.